AUTHOR'S NOTE: Heyya! New update!

Thank you for the support and reviews for this story. I will do my best to make this ship works lol. Seriously, it is tough since they dont interact enough but I believe in the power of our mad fandom heads, nothing is impossible! Bahahaha!

Brieanna-c : Hellow! Please do stick around! Yeah it gets mucky this chap lol. Thank you for the review!

aku to nigou: Yesh mwhahaha! I almost think Hijikata is a closet lolicon pervert too oops did you see what I did there lol Thank you for the review!

DJ Broken Wang: Yeah I know right! This ship is tough but I love it! I can really picture them together. It is only the development that needs some work huhu Thank you for the review!

Enjoy reading people!

Chapter 2: Don't force your addiction on me!

The sight of Hijikata walking with the Yorozuya kids has been the highlight of everyone's gossips in Kabuki-cho. Eyes are bulging at them, not used to seeing them with someone else besides Gintoki. Thinking that they were arrested by the Shinsengumi vice chief, their whispers become heated that it is impossible to ignore.

Many believe that they are just taking a walk together. Shinpachi knows better that it is hardly a walk.

It is more like stopping a waging war between the Yato girl and the demon chief.

He can barely count the number of times Kagura knocks her foot on the back of Hijikata's knees and the many instances when Hijikata almost draws his sword.

Shinpachi can see himself going for a throat surgery after yelling and repeating their purpose of going together.

They reach the diner for a quick breakfast. Gintoki always brings them there. Since feeding the orangehead can stop her whining, Hijikata obliges. Just with a hand, Hijikata signals the waiter who recognises the vice-chief and notes his usual order.

Comes three bowls of Katsudon Hijikata special on their table.

"Enjoy," Hijikata smirks. "My treat."

Shinpachi gulps, staring at the yellow pile as though it is about to explode.

"Nani kore?" Kagura belches, pushing the bowl forward. "Is this how your treat someone who is about to risk her life of awesomeness for you? How dare you serve me this peasant food!"

"Oi, don't degrade it as such! You haven't tried it yet! Once it sits in your mouth, it's addictive you'll be asking for more," Hijikata argues, still trusting the ecstasy Mayonnaise gives him. "If you have to consider it, it is the king of all condiments, baka."

Kagura droops her eyes in disbelief. "You're deluded, Mayora. There is no such thing as the king of condiments, right, Shinpachi?"

Shinpachi smiles nervously. "Well, I never heard of it."

"Tch, what do you kids know about flavour?" Hijikata extinguishes his cigarette and takes his chopsticks. "Watch me, kids. This is how you savour Katsudon Hijikata Special. It'll make you drool and begging for more. Too bad, I'm only going to spend a bowl for each of you. Ma, you can thank me later for introducing this almighty flavour-"

His speech cuts short when the bowl of Hijikata special is smashed right onto his face. Shinpachi stiffens until his hair on his arms stand. Kagura is still having her foot on the table and arm stretched for hitting the vice chief with the bowl.

"Kagura-chan, what are you doing?!" Shinpachi finds his voice, shrieking in absolute shock.

Kagura retreats while wiping her hands. "Eat that, pervert- I mean, Mayora!"

The bowl slides off Hijikata's face and topples on his side of the table. His face is coated with yellow condiment but his dipping fierce brows can still be seen inside that mess.

"So sorry, Hijikata-san!" Shinpachi begs for forgiveness. "Kagura must have slipped on her foot-"

"Don't worry," Hijikata hushes.

Kagura cringes as Hijikata wipes his faces with one hand, barely removing it. She thought he will leave and clean himself but instead, he remains at his seat, with mucky yellow dripping from his V-shaped fringe of hair. Few droplets cling at the circumference of his chiselled jaw, some staining his white scarf.

Sly pink tongue emerges from his lips, licking off a morsel of mayo right off his hand.

"We can eat it like this too."

Kagura feels heat scalding her cheeks, watching Hijikata easily eat from the mess. She does not know which is more embarrassing, the mess on his face or the licking of food from his hand. Then she notices amidst that yellow mess, his blue eyes are locked on her.

The peering gaze of Hijikata sends chills down her spine.

"Do you want some?" Hijikata offers Kagura, reaching his hand towards her.

She abruptly turns beet-red.

Another bowl hits Hijikata. "Dondake?!"

"Shinpachi?" Kagura blinks at him.

"Don't feed Kagura-chan like that! This is looking very wrong, so wrong in many levels!" Shinpachi admonishes. "Don't force your addiction of mayonnaise on us, Hijikata-san!"

Hijikata grumbles as the bowl slides off his face again, funny how he is not infuriated with mayonnaise all over him. "Teme ra."

Shinpachi sits and folds his arms. "What the hell? Can we order our own food, please?"

"Suits yourself," Hijikata takes a handkerchief and cleans himself.

"One bowl of rice with Saba fish, Nee-san!" Shinpachi orders loudly.

"Nee-chan, 8 bowls of rice!" Kagura yells. "With sukonbu!"

"Oi! Are you planning to finish the store, kusogaki?" Hijikata slaps his handkerchief down the table.

Kagura pouts. "Every girl needs her nutrients! I'm a growing teenager!"

"What nutrition does sukonbu have anyways? As compared to mayonnaise," Hijikata pauses as he notices Shinpachi's heated glare. "Forget it."

As their food arrive, they dig into their food. As Hijikata questions Shinpachi regarding their boss, Kagura has her mind elsewhere. An airhead like her mostly does not think when she eats but after what happened between her and the vice chief, she cannot abandon her curiosity.

Has Hijikata always looked at her that way?

That impenetrable gaze of his is something that incessantly annoys her. Is it because he has seen a side of her that she never shows to anyone else, even Gintoki?

She has been living with Gintoki for months and never feel uncomfortable under a man's gaze.

But Hijikata is planting seeds of anxiety and consciousness of herself. Is her hair tied properly? Is there rice on her mouth? Did she smell like the shampoo that she used? Did she has any snot stuck on her clothes?

What if Hijikata notices? Will he point it out? Will he show disgust or actually praise her?

'Your snot on your dress is beautiful. Like a golden button.'

Now that sounds utterly disgusting.

Kagura involuntarily shivers at that thought. On her fifth bowl, she burps loudly and covers her mouth. There it is again, the hawklike eyes dawn on her. She also realises he is done eating and now smoking.

"If you are full, don't force yourself to finish the rest," Hijikata states, blowing a mouthful of smoke.

Kagura sneers, hiding away her embarrassment. Thank goodness he is not disgusted by her burp. It will kill her if he suddenly shoots a loathing remark on her lack of manners.

Wait, why does she care? I mean, she burps whenever she likes.

Why does she feel disturbed if Hijikata heard it?

Oi, oi. Her maiden heart is reacting.

"Oi, China."

Kagura pauses her chewing. "What?"

"What if I give you a spot in Shinsengumi?" Hijikata offers, flicking some ashes on the ashtray. "Your fighting skills can be a valuable asset to us. We will take a better care of you than that slacker."

"What are you saying, Hijikata-san?!" Shinpachi interrupts before Kagura can make a response. "You expect a girl live amongst you men?!"

"We are planning to start a girls' squad," Hijikata states. "With your sister as the captain."

Shinpachi fists on the table. "Hell no I will ever let that happened!"

"Ma, the chief approves my proposal."

"Why wouldn't that stalker approve? You should be working on that perverse chief of yours!"

"Oi, watch your tone! You wanna be dragged to the station, bozo?!"

"No way-aru."

Hijikata averts his gaze back to the vermillion head who slams her last bowl on the table. Shinpachi senses seriousness in her small voice.

"I will only serve Gin-chan, in whatever stupid things he does. I'll support him."

Hijikata bites the stick. "Even if he tells you to be a bait for a potential rapist?"

Her eyes look away from him and slurps her drink. "Yeah. No one can stop me. Besides, whoever that freak is, I will teach him a lesson. With my mighty camel clutch and clawhold on his neck, he will be crying like a wimp!"

"Kagura-chan," Shinpachi softens his eyes on her.

"Do you have any idea what a rapist will do when he gets you?"

"Hmph, you think I don't know!" Kagura snorts. "I also can spit a few rhymes! My idol is Eminem and mentor is Katsurap dayo!"

Forehead creased, Hijikata scoffs. "That is rapper, not rapist, idiot! What does that boss teach you anyways?!"

"Stop mocking Gin-chan, bakayaro! I had enough of your rant!" Kagura stands up. "He may look like a good-for-nothing man who does nothing but sleep and reading Jump. If he ever works hard, he is at the Pachinko. Not to mention he drinks strawberry milk and eat parfaits for food. Because of that the time he spends in the toilet is twice the time I take a bath!"

"Are you really siding Gin-san?" Shinpachi facepalms.

"But, he is the one who always come back home. He is always around for breakfast and he is always with me in times of need. Gin-chan shares his food, his space, his laughter and tears with us. Gin-chan also believes in my strength no matter how many times I messed up. Gin-chan..."

A sniffle is heard as both lads look hard on her.

"Gin-chan makes me happy."

The girl with orange hair bows, hoping to hide her teary eyes from Hijikata. Shinpachi can understand her sentiments. He may know abit of her background, like how her life was back at her home. After her mother's death and her brother's disappearance, she is always alone at home waiting for her father to return. And even if he returns, he stays for a while and leaves her by herself again.

With Gintoki, Kagura feels she is in a real home.

"I understand," Hijikata lets out a resigned sigh. "I won't pester you kids anymore but there is one last question I want to ask."

Shinpachi furrows his brows. "What is it, Hijikata-san?"

"What are you going to do with that bulging stomach of yours China?"

Kagura snaps her head up, embarrassed. She hugs her stomach and gives it a round rub like a pregnant lady. A dead look crosses Shinpachi's face.

"This is bad! How are you going to fit in a dress with that kind of stomach, Kagura-chan?!" Shinpachi hollers in anguish.

Kagura starts toothpicking. "It can't be helped, Pattsan. Maybe if you wear the dress instead, you will be fit for the job."

"Dondake! You are pushing the job to me now! What was all that just now?! About how you will risk your life for Gin-san and all?! Damn it, you always talk big!"

"Come on! I know you tried wearing my China outfit before-"

"Don't say it in front of him! Are you mad?! Don't embarrass me!"

"Shinpachi, take it from me! You will look cute with pigtails! Towel is sexy too!"

"Oi! Why is it about me suddenly? An eighteen year old crossdresser won't seduce a lolicon addict!"

"Trust your inner Otsu, Pattsan! You can definitely pull a MariaHolic!"

"Oi calm down you two. Seriously, you two kids just know how to keep it down," Hijikata mocks sarcastically and heads to the counter for payment. "Wait me outside."

"Take Shinpachi!"

Hijikata holds his stare on her. "Don't pull back from what we promised. You will do it."

"But!" Kagura deliberately jumps off the seat, letting her round belly bounce.

"Kimono."

Hijikata glances at a few girls that passes them. "You will wear a kimono that can cover that. So no more excuses."

As Hijikata attends the counter, Shinpachi and Kagura exit and wait outside.

"I can't believe he is really insisting me to be the bait! Why is he so loyal to that sadist bastard?!" Kagura whines at Shinpachi.

"I think he is just committed to the job. He wants to solve the case as bad as Okita-san."

"And you agree to this too, Pattsan?! You and Gin-chan are terrible!"

"We definitely get our pay this time, if you accomplish the job, Kagura-chan. Imagine the amount of sukonbu you can buy," Shinpachi motivates her.

"I don't like sukonbu anymore."

"You're lying," Shinpachi nervously giggles. "Don't worry, Kagura-chan. Even if Gin-san's not around, I'm here with you."

"Pattsan..." Kagura feels touched.

Hijikata walks out and lights another cigarette. "Okay, let's go to the kimono boutique. It's up around that corner. Let's go."

"Hmph," Kagura walks ahead. "I'm only agreeing to this because you are all helpless without me."

"Kagura-chan," Shinpachi smiles and looks at Hijikata who acknowledges her firm stand.

"Make sure you pick a good kimono," Hijikata admits.

"Ah, I have an idea!" Shinpachi hammers a fist in his other hand. "I'll ask Aneuhe to pick the right kimono for her! You two go ahead first and I'll join you with Aneuhe."

Like a bolt of lightning, Shinpachi dashes away.

"That idiot megane!" Kagura hisses with blazing fury. "He's same as Gin-chan! Running away and leave me alone! Bakagaki! All are idiots! I will kill all of you!"

"Enough of that," Hijikata sighs and walks ahead. "Come on."

The fire in her extinguishes immediately, as she realises that she is left with Hijikata alone. Her heart races rapidly, watching the distance between them widen. She cannot imagine walking with him alone. Although it is in daylight and the crowd outside is large enough to blend in, it seems impossible for her not to feel shy around the vice-chief.

"Oi, are you coming?" Hijikata stops to look at her.

Kagura avoids looking at him. "I want to wait for them here."

"Look," Hijikata faces her. "We should stop wasting time now and get moving."

"Why bother?"

"Ah?"

"No one really cares if I'm getting dressed up. I can just wear what I have and do the job."

"Don't be ridiculous. You're getting a kimono now."

"Why do you even care, Teme?!" Kagura yells at him. "I already said I don't need a new dress! No one expects me to get one! So just leave me alone!"

Her attempt to flee from the job fails once again as Hijikata grips her arm, stopping her from leaving.

"You're wrong about me."

Kagura holds her breath.

"I'm the last person to care about you. Know that."

"But why are you insisting me to get a kimono?!"

"You are the key to solve the mission. I'm making sure when we use you, it will be successful. You have to get dressed so you become a worthy bait. If your boss won't pay you, I will."

Kagura swats his hand off her arm and clenches her fists, grinding her teeth. "Dedicated to your job, huh? People like you make me sick."

The girl turns and heads to the boutique without looking at him. "I don't care about your stupid mission or your job! Just so you know, I'm not doing this for you or that sadist prince! I only do it because you don't have a choice! It can't be helped, right?!"

Hijikata smirks and follows her behind. "What's with that tsundere rant?"

She swiftly turns and clutches her hand on his scarf to make one ferriswheel swing forward, tossing him to the nearby store. The vice-chief rolls like a bowling ball and crashes against the store wall, carving a cobweb of glass cracks.

"And don't walk behind me, Ero Mayora!"

Clicked his tongue, Hijikata pushes himself up to stand. If there is anything Hijikata respects about the Yorozuya boss, it has to be his ability to handle her. He does not know how long his body can withstand her violent rampage.

This shopping has to end quick.

Ooooookay, so yeah. No much development in terms of romance.

But sharing what Kagura thinks about Hijikata after that incident is a must. She is still a kid so I won't make her so desperate for romance that sort haha.

And ehem ehemm Hijikata licking mayo at Kagura. Omg I swear I didnt know what gotten into me to write that but lol it was fun. Hijikata is smexy.

But whaddya think? What are you expecting when Hijikata picks a kimono for Kagura bahahaha

Love to hear from you! See ya next chappie!