Chapter 2: Keep an eye out for anything suspicious
In the Yorozuya headquarters.
"AH!" Gintoki looked like death. "My damn head hurts so much!" He gulped down strawberry milk.
"That's your own fault Gin-chan. You abuse the free drinks you can get too much." Kagura said with her mouth full of rice and egg.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. You know Gin-san can't pass up on free stuff though." Gintoki laid down on the couch to get over the hangover. Meanwhile Kagura turned on the television which was on the news channel.
"It has been reported that another woman's body has been found in the streets of Edo. According to the police it is revealed that she died at 2:14 AM last night. This is the 10th woman to die such a gruesome way. Whoever the killer is they like to dye their victim's hair blonde and leave scars on their faces after they have brutally killed them. If anyone has any information pertaining to this case please call the police. All information will be confidential and anonymous. Please stay safe everybody!" Kagura switched the television off.
"What a jerk-aru. What kind of twisted guy can cold-heartedly kill those women-aru?!" Kagura burst in anger.
"He's a sick bastard indeed. Kagura you shouldn't wander late at night also. It's too dangerous." Gintoki warned her. Something about the information he had heard left him feeling uncanny. It's so weird that the murderer likes to dye their victim's hair blonde and leave scars on their face after they die. I wonder what's the motive behind this.
Just then the bell rang. *Ding dong*
"Oi, Kagura check who it is." Gintoki said with a deadpan expression.
"Gin-chan why don't you check-aru? I'm still eating, yes?" Kagura replied with a deadpan expression.
"Ugh, fine." Gintoki got off the couch and went for the door. "Who is it?" He asked as he was sliding the door open. As soon as he saw who was at the door he slammed it shut.
"OI!" A voice yelled out from the other side of the door.
"Gin-chan who is it-aru?" Kagura asked hearing the commotion.
"Don't worry Kagura it's nobody." Gintoki replied back.
"OI IF YOU DON'T OPEN THIS DOOR IMMEDIATELY I'M GOING TO HAVE SOUGO BAZOOKA THIS DOOR OPEN." The voice yelled out.
"OI YOU TAX ROBBERS HAVE NO RIGHT TO BREAK INTO SOMEONE'S HOUSE FORCIBLY LIKE THAT. I'M NOT OPENING THIS DAMN DOOR FOR YOU MAYORA." Gintoki yelled back.
"HURRY UP AND OPEN THE DAMN DOOR THIS IS IMPORTANT." Hijikata yelled.
"HOW IMPORTANT COULD IT BE?! IT'S PROBABLY SOME SMALL THING." Gintoki kept being persistent.
Hijikata lowered his voice and said, "it's about the series of killings that's been going on. We need your help."
Gintoki calmed down after hearing the reason why the damn tax robbers came all the way to his apartment. He slid the door open. "Come on in."
Hijikata sat on the opposite side of Kagura and Gintoki. He took a cigarette out from the pack and took out his mayonnaise bottle lighter and lit the cigarette. He took a deep breath from the cigarette and exhaled.
"I'm assuming you heard about the string of murders that's been going on." Hijikata said.
"Well, duh. That's the only reason I let you in after you said that." Gintoki replied while picking his nose. "So, what kind of help do you need from us?" Gintoki asked.
"Well we got information that he's currently residing in the independent city, Yoshiwara. Since the government has no rule in the city, I was wondering if you can get the Hyakka's leader to collaborate with us and help us get our culprit." Hijikata said as he took in another breath from the cigarette.
"So you want us to ask Tsukuyo for help. Why should we do that for you tax robbers?" Gintoki asked.
A vein appeared on Hijikita's face. "It's not for us. It's for the women who got murdered and for any more possible victims."
"Mayora's right Gin-chan." Kagura chimed in. "Alright we'll ask Tsukki for help. So you can leave it to us and go Mayora. We'll let you know what Tsukki says."
"Alright, thanks. I leave it to you guys." Hijikata got up and left.
Gintoki sighed. "Yosh. Let's head to Yoshiwara." Internally Gintoki was scared as hell because of what had happened the night before. I'm prepared for all the kunais in the world.
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Gintoki and Kagura were in Yoshiwara and walking towards the shop where Tsukuyo resides. Kagura saw Tsukuyo sitting and smoking her kiseru from a distance and ran towards her.
"TSUKKI!" Kagura yelled out. She hugged Tsukuyo while rubbing her head back and forth. "I missed you so much Tsukki! How have you been-aru? Also thank you again for bringing stupid Gin-chan back home safely-aru."
Tsukuyo gave Kagura a small smile. "Hiya there Kagura. It's no problem really. I missed ya ta. What brings ya and Gintoki ta Yoshiwara?" Tsukuyo asked.
Gintoki entered in the conversation. "Y-Yo Tsukuyo. We're here to ask you for help actually."
"Help? Is somethin' wrong? What can I help ya with?" Tsukuyo asked.
"It's a long story actually." Gintoki replied.
"Give me one second." Tsukuyo walked into the back of the shop and brought back out hot tea and dangos for Gintoki and Kaugra. She set it down next to them. "Okay, ah'm ready ta hear tha story."
Gintoki proceeded to tell her the whole story and why he was asking for help. "So yeah. That's why we need your help."
"I see. I did hear 'bout tha murders, but I didn' know the murderer was residin' in Yoshiwara." Tsukuyo admitted. "Ah'll do mah best ta help the Shinsengumi out."
"Great. Thanks Tsukuyo we appreciate it." Gintoki was grateful she agreed. "Kagura, go let Mayora know that Tsukuyo's helping out."
"Roger that." Kagura said. "Bye Tsukki, I'll see you next time, hope you and Gin-chan have some lovey dovey time!" Kagura said as she had the biggest grin on her face.
"Bye Kagura, see ya. Get home safe, ya hear? A-An' what do ya mean lovey dovey time?!" Tsukuyo said.
"I will! You know what I mean hehe." Kagura giggled and skipped. Bye!" Kagura smiled and gave a wave as she was leaving.
Tsukuyo calmed down from Kagura's comment and turned serious again. "Gintoki, I don' think ya should let Kagura and Shinpachi follow ya in with this one." Tsukuyo said with a concerned voice.
"I was thinking the same. I would like to keep them out of this one also." Gintoki agreed.
A huge wave of relief overcame Tsukuyo. "The Hyakka an' ah'll investigate an' let ya know 'bout anythin' that pops up."
"No need to. I'm going to help you out." Gintoki responded.
"Y-Ya don' have ta. Ah've got this under control." Tsukuyo argued.
"Just accept my help damn woman. We don't know what kind of monster we're dealing with. Besides, this case could use all the help it could get." Gintoki said seriously.
Tsukuyo reluctantly gave in. "F-Fine. Just don' get yerself in any trouble without me, alright?"
"Alright Tsukki~" Gintoki replied teasingly.
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It was nighttime in Yoshiwara once again. Gintoki was at a bar just enjoying some free food, while Tsukuyo was out working. Gintoki dare not lay a finger on alcohol because of the terrible hangover that he had this morning.
I get the feeling that I'm being watched. But by who? Gintoki thought.
Sitting at the corner of the bar was Hayate. He was cautiously keeping his eye on Gintoki. Tonight's the perfect night to get rid of him.
"Ah I'm so full. Thanks for the free food." Gintoki got up and started to take his leave.
"Please come again savior of Yoshiwara!" The staff chirped as Gintoki was waving at them.
Hayate immediately followed Gintoki, but made sure to be like a shadow in the night so Gintoki wouldn't notice.
Gintoki kept walking around and ended up walking towards a secluded area to lure this person out. Someone's following me. Whoever it is, is not so lucky to run into me. He came into a dead end and immediately turned around. "Show yourself." Gintoki yelled out.
A minute after Gintoki yelled a man stepped out from the shadow of the night. He had the most sinister smile on his face. He gave off such an eerie feeling it managed to send a small shiver down Gintoki's spine. The man finally spoke. "Hello there Sakata-san."
"Who are you and why are you following me?" Gintoki asked coldly.
"Ah, my apologies. I go by the name Hayate." Hayate bowed his head down slightly.
"Why are you following me?" Gintoki asked once more.
Hayate went silent. He kept the sinister smile on his face. All of a sudden Hayate lunged forward to attack Gintoki. But instead of attacking Gintoki, he threw mud on his face. This caused Gintoki to lose his vision. Hayate then slashed Gintoki's right arm.
C-Crap. There was something on that weapon! I'm starting to feel numb. That sword has got to be poisoned. This is bad. I can't move my arm.
Meanwhile Tsukuyo was now patrolling the area right near where Gintoki was at the very moment. She was looking for him because he had promised to meet her at the bar. But by the time she got there, he was gone. Damn where could he be?! Then she was in front of the path that led to a secluded area. Something in her heart kept telling her to check the area out. Ah'm gettin' some weird vibes. I think I needa check tha place out. Tsukuyo started running towards the area where Gintoki was.
"You know Sakata-san. I personally think you're a great man. It's such a shame really. If you only didn't come near my woman." Hayate said.
*Pant, pant* Gintoki's breathing got labored and his voice turned coarse. "I-I don't remember messing with any man's woman."
"Oh, really? Hm. Well I guess we're not officially together as of now. We will be though once you're out of the picture." Hayate replied. Then he grabbed Gintoki by the collar and said, "Tsukuyo is mine. She's mine. If I can't have her, you can't have her."
This guy! He's after Tuskuyo. This guy… he's obsessed with Tsukuyo. Wait a minute… Just as Gintoki was about to puzzle the pieces together his thoughts were put to a halt by Hayate's creepy voice.
"Good-bye Sakata-san." Hayate then let out an unnatural laugh. *AHAHAHAHAHAHA* Just as he was about to deliver his final blow they heard a voice.
"Hey! What's goin' on there?!" Tsukuyo yelled out. It looks like a fight is goin' on there. She then hurled her kunais at Hayate. Hayate barely managed to deflect them and he ran off. Like a shadow he just disappeared. Tsk, the guy got away. Tsukuyo continued to run and saw a body leaning against the wall. She noticed the all familiar yukata anywhere. "GINTOKIIIIII!" Tsukuyo yelled. "Oi Gintoki. Hang in there ah'm gonna get ya some help!"
