*A/N: Hey guys! Today's day 2 of GinTsu/GinTsuki,/GinTsuku week and the prompt is shadow! I had a hard time coming up with this. I tried incorporating the theme as much so I hope it makes sense? Haha anyways here ya go! None of these characters belong to me. (:
Chapter 1: A shadow silently watching
Nighttime fell in Yoshiwara. Despite the fact the moon rose and darkness enveloped the town, Yoshiwara continued to bustle with people. During this time the Hyakka's very own leader, Tsukuyo, was on her nightly patrol. She always worked day and night to keep the streets of Yoshiwara safe from harm. Everyone in Yoshiwara from courtesans to male customers all know how hard working Tsukuyo is and held deep respect for her. Even though she wasn't some top class courtesan, she unknowingly attracted a lot of male customers with her beauty. These male customers would always sit in a shop with open area to admire her beauty from afar. Tsukuyo was walking by a tea shop.
"Ah there is the shinigami tayuu. Doing her nightly rounds." One male whispered to his friend.
"I see her. She's a damn beauty. I wish she would give me the time of day." The friend whispered back.
The male started to laugh at his friend. "Ha! As if someone as beautiful as her would ever give you any attention!"
The friend agreed. "Ha, ha! Yeah you're right." Then they both decided to chug down their cup of tea.
Behind the two friends was a man who too lusted after Tsukuyo too...maybe a bit too much. The man had black hair, blue sharp eyes, and was about 6 feet and 1 inch tall. He appeared to be in his early 30s and was very attractive.
"Hayate-san you've come again." A voice called out to him. It appeared that this man's name is Hayate. "What can I get you today?"
"Ah jii-san the usual please." Hayate replied coldly.
"Coming right up!" The shop-owner chirped. Ten minutes later the store owner set down a bag of cookies next to Hayate. "Here you go. Will you be going back to work now?"
"Ah, yeah." Hayate handed over 217 yen. "Keep the change jii-san. Have a nice evening." Hayate smoothly walked about into the shadow of the night and completely blended in to the point he was out of sight in an instance.
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The night dragged on. Yoshiwara wasn't as lively as before and was more in a state of slumber. Tsukuyo was now walking around an empty and quiet town.
It's gotten pretty late, I should head back or Hinowa might get worried. Tsukuyo made sure the area was safe one more time before she decided to head back home. As she was walking by through the corner of her eye she saw a shadowy figure rustling and making low noises in the alley. Someone suspicious is in tha alley. I needa make sure I don't alert them. They could be dangerous. Tsukuyo cautiously walked up to the suspicious person. Once she was close enough to the person she kicked the person onto the ground and pinned them there with her kunais. "Who are ya?! What are ya doin' here so late at night?!"
*Hic* "I-I'm shorry officerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr." The suspicious person barely mumbled.
Hah?! He's no suspicious person. He's justa drunk person! Tsukuyo sighed. "Sir, yer clearly intoxicated. Ya should go back home." Tsukuyo took the kunais out from the ground to unpin the man. "Can ya get back home by yerself?"
The man clumsily got up and barely managed to stand. He was swaying back and forth. "Aanksf yes ma'am. Just giiive meh a seconnnnd I need to pee soooooo bad." The man started to unzip himself.
Huh? That voice sounds like it belong ta Gintoki. Don' tell me...This is Gintoki?! "Oi, Gintoki is that you?!" Tsukuyo asked.
"Areh? You are…" Gintoki began to pee into the corner. After he finished peeing he finished his sentence, "Tsukki!"
Although it was too dark for Gintoki to see, Tsukuyo's face looked like one who lost all faith in humanity. This is tha man I love. This is tha one ah'm with. Tsukuyo took a deep breath. "Gintoki, we need ta get you back home. Let me help carry ya back."
"Noooooo. Gin-san doesn't want to go baccccck. Hey Tsukki, LET'S GO PARTY-asfnalngkac." Gintoki started stumbling all over the place.
"This won' do." Tsukuyo took Gintoki's wrist and put his arm around her shoulder. "Ah'm takin' ya back home Gintoki. Let's go back. Kagura must be really worried about ya also." Gintoki only replied with incoherent mumbling. Tsukuyo lead Gintoki out of the alley and back to Yorozuya Gin-san's place.
After seeing Tsukuyo disappear from his sight, Hayate jumped down from the top of the roof. He had been watching Tsukuyo from the shadows. "She's always helping him and next to him. You are really too kind, Tsukuyo. That man doesn't deserve someone like you." With one swift movement Hayate flicked out a small knife with his hand. "The lover of the shinigami tayuu, Sakata Gintoki, you must be out of the picture. Hayate stepped out of the alley. "But for now I must attend to my prey." Just like a shadow he disappeared into the dark night once more.