Okay, here is chapter two, but before you start reading the actual story, read this! I need a beta-reader for I'm afraid my English is a bit rusty. If anyone has time, please contact me. I would really appreciate it. Thank you.

Chapter Two

Yesterday's Enemy is Somehow Today's Enemy as Well

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP

HUH? What's that noise early in the morning? I don't remember setting my alarm clock...

Sleeping Hijikata opened with great effort his tired sleepy eyes to look for the source of the noise. Eyes open he could see a blur image of the inside of his room, first the ceiling, turning his vision to his right where he assumed the origin of the sound, he recognized a little doll-like figure made if some kaki colored stuff, for he still held a bit if sleepiness in his eyes and due to that was unable to name the material. On the doll was a screen with red numbers he presumed.

Hijikata lifted his upper body and rested his weight on his right arm in order to steady himself. With his left hand he rubbed the rest of the sleepiness out of his eyes. Looking at the device again his eyes widened

What the fuck!

Body filling with a rush of adrenaline Hijikata stood up from his laying position and made a move to grab the device, now identified as a time bomb attached to a voodoo-doll,and throw it as far away as possible for he had only 10 seconds before it ran out of time. He hastily grabbed the bomb with his left hand and ran to the window, sliding it open with his free hand and sending the disaster flying into the air. After the few remaining seconds ran out a loud explosion could be heard following by screams and shouts of bypassing people and Shinsengumi members.

Well it was still very early in the morning and you don't get to wake up to an explosion every day, ne?

Hijikata let himself slide down to the ground and heaved a sigh in relief.

Damn, what a way to wake up.

Hijikata searched his uniforms pockets for his cigarettes as he didn't really had the opportunity to change out of his working clothes yesterday. Finding the package of smokes he lit one and inhaled a deep breath, exhaling a cloud of black smoke into the room.

As the commotion caused by the sudden detonation of the bomb ceased down, Hijikata could hear approaching footsteps. He shifted his gaze to the door to his room when it slid open revealing the culprit to his early-morning disturbance.

"Ne, Hijikata-san, I know you get needy sometimes but could you keep it down a bit? I can't sleep if you are making as much noise as a bomb would do in here as you play your whatever shameful games." The sadistic Prince mumbled rubbing his eyes with his free hand.

"Shut up you idiot! It was a fucking bomb! Your fucking bomb!"

"Hijikata-san lying won't hide your dirty pleasurable thoughts, you know. It will make me think of you as an even lower person."

"What the hell? Stop stringing lies, oi! Wait, where are you going!"

"If I stay here any longer, I will get infected by your dirty mind. Die Hijikata."

"SOUGOOOOOOOO!"

After Hijikata got ready and fresh, he made his way to the commander's room to discuss work related matters and further plans concerning an illegal weapon transactions and eventual human smuggle for there were a lot of reports on missing young women. It had been a few weeks that the Shinsengumi was trying to track down the route of all those crimes, but until now they could only assume that the Harasume Pirates might be behind it for they had not enough traces. So until further plans they could only suspect, but were not allowed to take actions for lack of evidence and they were bound by the government. Hijikata knew as well as the other higher ranked officers of the Shinsengumi that important people from the Shogunate were behind this business, serving as an intermediary.

And of course he had to speak about his current dilemma and hopefully find some solution to it, but that would come secondary.

When he arrived at the door to the commander's room, he slid the door open and greeted Kondo-san, seating himself in front of his superior.

"Kondo-san, concerning the case of the illegal weapon trades and the missing young women, I would like for Yamazaki to go undercover at the places where already some women went missing. Maybe we can find some similarities to the choices of victims and track down their next hunting places. Furthermore I have been doing some research about the possible traded weapons. I have found out that the weapons traded are very different from the cases we had until now. They might be more sophisticated than our own firearms." He lit a cigarette and awaited his commander's reply to his proposal.

"I already sent Yamazaki to do some more research on the matter. But Toushi don't you think there is something you should be more concerned about? We can handle this for the time being seeing as we are still not as far as to take any actions. You know the old man can be really paranoid when it comes to his daughter and furthermore it would get dangerous for Kuriko if someone sees her with you. You know what I mean, right? So what have you thought about? Ne?"

Kondo-san, I knew you would understand my situation! And you are even making points that make sense!

"Yes, about that-" before Hijikata could finish his reply the door slid open and in came..

"Ah, Sougo! There you are, we were just discussing 'Mission Kuriko'. Toushi, I'm sure Sougo will be a great help to you, because it's time for me to go on my daily patrol!"

Daily patrol my ass! You are just going off to stalk that Gorilla woman! Oi!

As the commander left the room in a sprint, Hijikata started to sweat.

Great! Thank you so much Kondo-san for leaving me with this sadistic idiot!

"What am I hearing Hijikata-san, you have a woman problem again? If you think that I will help someone as rotten as you, dream on."

"I don't want your help anyways! Who knows what sadistic crap your brain will come up with." So much for finding a solution, tch.

"Is this a challenge?"

Wait! Maybe I could fool him in helping me!

"What if it is?", Hijikata smirked and leaned back so he was resting on his arms.

Sougo looked still unaffected by the challenging look in Hijikata's eyes.

"Well I could always just manipulate her mind-" HAH! I'd expect no less from Sougo! His dark soul completely disregards any notion of respect towards women! "But that would be no fair to her since it's your fault in the first place, so I should take you out"

OIIIIIII! Cut the crap!

"You want me to take you out, ingrate?"

"You know what? Fall off a cliff and die, Hijikata you bastard."

"Get beaten up and die under protection, Okita."

"Go to the next world by gas poisoning, Hijikata."

"Fall off a cliff and die Okita.

"Soak in hot water and boil to death, Hijikata."

"I don't care anymore. Let me kill you Okita."

"Die, Hijikata."

"Die, Okita."

"Die, Okita...oops, messed up...Hijikata."

With gritted teeth Hijikata started slashing at Okita, who dodged every strike nonchalantly.

"Hijikata-san, you will never learn, will you? Is breaking hearts your hobby?" Throwing a small ball at Hijikata, Sougo ran out of the room, a serious look marking his usually nonchalant face.

Hijikata caught the ball just to realize that it was another time bomb, but this time he was too late to escape the blast.

"CURSE YOUUUU!"

*BOOM*

After the measly morning adventures Hijikata had to face, he prepared to get some of the paperwork done that was already piling up since he didn't do his share yesterday. As he slid open the door to his room he saw two figures he was hoping to not see so soon again, sitting at his table.

Shit.

"Mayora-sama! I was waiting for you." Kuriko got up from her sitting position to wrap her arms around his arm and rub her cheek against the fabric of his uniform. "Look, Papa wanted to see you as well! Isn't that great that he likes you?"

Yeah, he likes to KILL ME!

"Come in already! I made lunch for you! It's your Hijikata special. I made enough for the three of us!" Kuriko dragged the Vice-chief to the table and began serving the food, which seeing, Matsudaira made a twisted face. Well who wouldn't if they have to eat mayonnaise with rice? Okay, except Hijikata and Kuriko.

Double shit.

While Kuriko ate her meal with delight, Hijikata was unable to swallow any of it for he was glared at by the chief, a glare that most possibly said 'You-are-going-to-suffer-for-this'.

Triple shit.

"Thank you for the meal! Mayora-sama, I have to leave now, but I will see you tomorrow like totally!" with that she gathered the lunchboxes and left the room, before stopping to look at her father who was still seated. "Papa, hurry up!"

"Kuriko, Papa needs to talk with Toushi for a sec. Why don't you wait in the car until Papa is finished?" She nodded and smiled at Hijikata for a last time before sliding the door shut.

As soon as Kuriko's retreating footsteps couldn't be heard anymore, Hijikata could feel a cold shiver running down his back.

"Toushi, you know I don't have anything against you, but you know as well that I am very protective of my little daughter."

You are PARANOID!

"And that's why I don't want her to be with a bastard like you who could die anything."

Thank you very much.

"So do something about this mess! I want Kuriko to break up with you no matter what. And Toushi, if you don't do anything I'll cry, I'll cry while I shoot you."

You crazy old man!

"I will try what I can, old man." Hijikata covered his face with one hand in frustration.

"Good to know that we understand each other."

And Hijikata was left alone in his room, or wasn't he?

"Oi, oi Oogushi-kun, you got yourself in a pretty shitty situation again, ne? I leave you alone for a moment and you get in some trouble again, tsk. Shall Gin-san make your woe go away?"

Don't tell me- This voice!

Sure enough it was the perm-haired Samurai that haunted his mind the day ago, lying lazily in the opposite corner of the room staring at him with dead fish eyes.

"You bastard! How did you get in? What are you even doing here in the first place!" Hijikata stood up, ready to draw his sword.

"Still the same lovely greeting, I see", Gintoki yawned and went back to reading the newest release of JUMP in one hand and steadying his head with the other.

End chapter two.

Is this considered a cliff-hanger?