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

Chapter 2 – Jealousy is a sickness and we all suffer from it

It seemed to be a busy night for the Golden Piggy Buffet. The whole place was packed and Kagura felt really happy to be one of those lucky ones there. There was just one minor flaw with the evening and Kagura was attached to his arm right at the moment.

Kagura looked at Sougo with the corner of her eye. He had his eyes set on their walking direction, facial expression as deadpan as ever. That bastard should feel blessed to go on a date with me because I'm giving him my precious time dammit, Kagura thought and pressed her lips together.

Sougo caught her secretly staring at him as they walked towards their table. The eye contact lasted only for a second as Kagura immediately turned her head away. She heard a quiet chuckle come out of his mouth and it felt irritating. Also her cheeks felt warmer for some reason.

Finally the foursome reached their table, it was in a separate part from the rest of the dining hall. Well, Soyo was a princess and she made the whole group "V.I.P.", so no wonder they had their own private space.

Shinpachi motioned Soyo to sit down first and he followed right after her. Kagura studied their behaviour. Was this a "couple thing" to do, or was it just polite, Kagura thought. Heck, she didn't know. Kagura glanced at Sougo who was already looking back at her.

"Do you want to sit down and eat or do you want to hang on my arm like an orangutan?" Sougo asked casually.

Kagura withdrew her hands immediately, hanging on to him was the last thing she wanted to do. It was insulting for him to even hint anything like that, Kagura thought to herself. Sougo could see her nostrils flaring from irritation. Kagura inhaled heavily. "You-"

With just one small rise of an eyebrow Sougo managed to shut her right up. "China," he said calmly as to remind her of their little bet.

Slowly, Kagura let out a breath. She wasn't going to fall that easily (although she almost just did). This date will take all of my patience, dammit Sadist, Kagura thought and gritted her teeth a little. "Can you two sit down already?" Shinpachi asked.

Kagura rolled her eyes a bit. "Yeah yeah." Their table was a booth and Kagura wanted to sit across from Soyo. Without giving Sougo a glance she passed him by and sat down to her spot. Sougo sat next to her without any further pining.

Soyo smiled widely as she watched everyone around the table. Kagura didn't look exactly happy, but Soyo had faith that her mood would change during the evening. A waiter came by the table to serve some welcoming drinks. It was some sort of bubbly drink, nothing too strong.

After the waiter left the table, a small awkward silence took over the table. Soyo kept looking at Kagura, who had her elbows on the table and face cupped in her hands. "So..." Soyo said and briefly looked at Shinpachi. "How are you guys doing tonight?" She asked and shifted her eyes to the silent duo across the table.

Sougo looked at Kagura, waiting for her to say something. "Well, I'm hungry, yes," she said and shrugged her shoulders.

"Me too Kagura-chan, just wait a little while longer," Soyo said and smiled.

Shinpachi wanted to stare at his girlfriend for all eternity, but that would be rude in the presence of others. So, he turned to Sougo. "Ne, Okita-san?"

"What?" Sougo asked and looked at the talking glasses.

"I haven't seen you or anyone from the Shinsengumi for a while. How are you? How's your work?"

Before he could answer, Kagura glanced at Sougo like she was interested in what ever he was going to say. "Uh, I don't think anyone wants to hear about my job."

"Why not?" Kagura asked all of a sudden.

Sougo looked at Kagura with slightly widened eyes. It wasn't very common for them to chit-chat about small stuff. Almost every little conversation they had turned into a brawl. Now, the question was; was Kagura trying to up her game with their bet or did she really want to know about his damn job.

"Forgive me China, I didn't know you were that interested about my job."

Shinpachi was about to say something, but Soyo placed her hand on his wrist. A gentle touch to tell him to shut his mouth and let the other "couple" talk. Shinpachi understood her and discretely nodded to Soyo.

"I didn't say that I was interested-aru."

"Oh," Sougo said. "Are you sure China?"

Kagura took in a deep breath, it really didn't take much of anything for him to annoy her. "Listen Sadist, I-"

"No, I want you to listen to me China."

Kagura straightened her back and dropped her arms on to her sides. Sougo saw how she clenched one of her fists against the booth's cushion. Soyo and Shinpachi watched as the tension kept rising between Sougo and Kagura.

Kagura didn't understand why he made her so sensitive, he just did. Before she could do or say anything else, Sougo spoke up. "I'm the one who doesn't want to talk about work, okay?"

"Sorry Okita-san, I didn't mean to be too nosy," Shinpachi said.

"It's fine, forget about it", Sougo said to Shinpachi and returned to speak directly at Kagura. "How about we raise a glass for your birthday China?."

Kagura's eyes widened and she relaxed her fist. "Oh, that's a great idea Okita-san!" Soyo said. She and Shinpachi took their glasses and waited for Kagura's reaction.

Kagura kept looking at Sougo. He almost had a gentle smile overtaking his deadpan expression. Kagura felt fuzzy inside and she began to fiddle with her fingers. "How do you know it's my birthday-aru?"

"Come on now China," Sougo said and tilted his head a little. "I wouldn't be much of a man if I didn't even know the birthday of my favourite rival."

Kagura lifted her eyes to meet with his. Did he just...call me his favourite rival, she thought. "Oh, I guess," was all that Kagura managed to say.

Sougo took Kagura's glass and offered it to her. She snatched the glass as fast as she could. Kagura knew Sougo like the specific ingredient list of sukonbus, and most of the time he had some kind of sadistic plan in motion for someone. She couldn't help herself from being a little suspicious.

"Happy birthday Kagura-chan!" Soyo cheered and lifted her drink up.

"Happy birthday!" Shinpachi and Sougo said. Kagura smiled sweetly and tilted her glass upwards.

After all four had emptied their glasses, it was finally time for food. Shinpachi and Soyo got up first to get some food. The Golden Piggy was an all-you-can-eat buffet, so there was a lot to choose from. Sougo was about to get up too, but Kagura stopped him by pulling his sleeve.

Sougo turned to Kagura and seemed a bit surprised. "What is it China? Weren't you hungry?"

"I am."

"Then what is it?" he repeated.

Kagura wasn't quite sure herself why she had stopped him. Maybe she wanted to thank him for remembering her birthday or something. Then again, maybe Soyo had told him earlier and he lied about remembering it. Kagura sighed a little and let go of Sougo's sleeve. "It's nothing."

"Right..." Sougo said. He kept looking at Kagura and frowned his brows a little. Something was clearly bothering him.

"Could you move Sadist so I can get some food, yes?" Kagura said in a stern voice.

"Hold on China, I want to say something first."

Kagura looked straight into his eyes. "What?"

"Why are you angry again?"

Kagura huffed a little. "What do you mean angry?"

"Well you obviously are. I just want to know, did I do something to piss you off?"

Kagura was very confused by Sougo's question. It wasn't like him to be this considerate. Usually he grinned from ear to ear whenever he managed to piss off anyone, especially her. "Well I'm not sure," Kagura said. "It's just that, it's not like you to wish a happy birthday to anyone without some kind of a hidden agent."

"It's hidden agenda China," Sougo corrected her and Kagura stuck her tongue out a little.

"Well do you have this hidden agenda, hmm?"

"Believe it or not, but I really don't."

Kagura crossed her arms. "Why the hell are you so nice?"

Sougo rolled his eyes, everything he said she pushed right back. Sougo decided to try a different approach. He placed his hand softly on Kagura's shoulder, making her twitch from the sudden contact. "Since you are mildly stubborn, I have a suggestion."

"Spit it out, yes," Kagura said and tried to ignore his touch.

"I would like to change the goal of our bet", Sougo said. "Instead of trying to make the other angry, why don't we pretend like we're on a real date?"

Kagura had to blink her eyes a couple of times. "Excuse me what?"

Sougo chuckled a little from Kagura's raw reaction. "In this new bet, if neither of us behaves like a dick to the other or leaves the date, they lose," Sougo explained. "The punishment can stay the same."

Kagura was now more dumbfounded than ever before. What an earth was he getting out of this, she thought. "Where is this coming from? Don't you like annoying me?"

"Maybe I do, but I just thought that it would be a different kind of challenge for the both of us."

"You're really weird tonight, yes."

"Not as weird as you China. Do we have a deal?"

Kagura had mixed feelings about him and this new bet. She felt weirded out but at the same time extremely curious. How were they and especially how was he going to make this date feel like a real one. "Fine," Kagura agreed bluntly, camouflaging her curiosity with a neutral voice.

Sougo actually smiled. "This is going to be very interesting China," he said. "Now, how about we get started on satisfying that endless appetite of yours, hmm?"

"Sounds good," Kagura said. Some women could take his words badly, but Kagura loved eating and an endless appetite was like a compliment for her.

Sougo lifted his hands off Kagura's shoulder and offered his arm to her again. She happily accepted and wrapped her hands around his arm just like before. Sougo and Kagura got up from the booth and followed Soyo and Shinpachi to the buffet without further delays.

The food at the Golden Piggy was just as amazing as it was promised to be. On her first round on the buffet, Kagura wanted to try absolutely everything, she even grabbed a couple of plastic fruit from the table because they looked so delicious. Luckily Sougo threw them away from her plate when she wasn't looking.

The waiters watched in horror as the piles of empty bowls kept appearing on the V.I.P. table. Kagura hardly moved from her spot because someone was bringing her new things to try and taste. (Sougo had figured it would be safer that way, no more un-edible objects on Kagura's plates).

Sougo really put in some effort as he kept selecting all the best food for her. At first Kagura was suspicious of him bringing her food. There was a 90-percent change that he had added some tabasco on everything, but no, he did no such thing. Sougo behaved like a perfect gentleman. Kagura felt like they were on a real date, but that was the whole point of the bet.

Couple of hours passed by and Kagura felt like her belly was finally at its limit. She burped loudly and rubbed her tummy. "I think I'm full-aru."

"Oh wow! I never thought I'd see the day Kagura-chan," Shinpachi laughed.

"Oh Kagura-chan! You can't be serious," Soyo said. "What about dessert?"

"Oooh," Kagura whined.

"It's not a real birthday without a cake China."

Kagura looked at Sougo and cocked an eyebrow. "Are you going to put tabasco on my damn cake Sadist?"

"Who? Me? I would never."

Both Kagura and Sougo managed to keep a straight face for about two seconds and later bursted into laughter. Soyo giggled too and watched as the two rivals got along perfectly, but she wasn't aware of their bet. "Must be an inside joke, huh?" Shinpachi whispered to Soyo.

"Definitely," Soyo whispered back. Then she cleared out her throat a little to get Kagura's attention. "How about me and Shin-chan go and get us some cake."

"Okay! Thanks Soyo-chan and Pattsuan," Kagura said as she calmed down her laughter. Shinpachi and Soyo got up swiftly and left the table. The two rivals sat together without a word for a while. The waiters came to collect the rest of the dishes and neither Kagura or Sougo wanted to disturb them.

After the waiter left, Kagura side-eyed Sougo. He had a calm look on his face, maybe even a happy one. "You know Sadist," Kagura began and immediately caught his attention. "I wasn't laughing like this when you filled that one cake with tabasco, yes."

"Heh, no you weren't. You came for my ass."

"Yeah, but then those bad guys came there. Damn them for stealing my opportunity."

"I remember."

Kagura turned to look directly at him. "That's one night I couldn't forget even if I wanted to."

"What do you mean China?" Sougo asked and looked at her. Her words had clearly piqued his interest.

"Well, that was the night when I got to see the real you."

Sougo crossed his arms quite swiftly. "The real me?" His tone was very stoic, but his body-language told another story. He seemed to get a little nervous from Kagura's words.

"Uh-huh."

"Care to explain," Sougo asked with a defensive voice.

Kagura smiled and shifted her gaze to a window nearby. She looked at the star filled sky and searched her memories. Without looking at Sougo, she shared her thoughts with him.

"That night you would have taken a bullet to save me and Kirie. There was no joking or fooling around, you were dead serious on getting us out of there, no matter the cost. And the biggest thing of all was the way you treated Kirie, the way you protected her memories of her father with your actions."

Sougo listened and relaxed his arms a little. They hadn't talked about that night at all, for some reason it had been left untouched. Kagura glanced at Sougo from behind her shoulder. "Under all that sadistic act and your deadpan face is a heart of gold and a strong sense of justice, that's the real you-aru."

Sougo was simply speechless. His eyes were wide open, he seemed to be utterly baffled of her words. "Nice to know that you don't see me as a complete bastard China", he finally said and rubbed his neck as a little.

"Oh don't be silly, you're still a bastard."

"Oi, that's not very nice-"

"But," Kagura continued. "You're also a part-time decent human being, yes."

Sougo smiled and looked down on his lap. "I really appreciate your words China."

Kagura wasn't expecting to be so honest about her thoughts directly with Sougo. It was just something about the way he was at that moment. He was kind and gentle, nothing she was used to see. Kagura had always been very open about her opinions and maybe she just wanted to let him know about her view of him.

"Ne China, are you having fun on your birthday?" Sougo asked and shifted his gaze back at Kagura.

"I sure am," Kagura said with a happy smile. "And by the way, thanks for bringing me all that food."

Sougo didn't say anything, he just kept staring into her ocean blue eyes. Kagura felt her cheeks getting warm again under his piercing gaze. "Sadist?"

"Uh, what?" Sougo mumbled as he snapped back to reality. "Oh yeah, right. I just thought that bringing you food would make this date feel like a real one."

"Oh, of course," Kagura said and felt slightly disappointed. She had actually kinda forgotten the bet and had focused more on eating and enjoying the evening.

A small silence settled between them once again. Kagura was looking straight ahead with her hands resting on her lap. Sougo studied her secretly from the corner of his eye. After all that food she still looked stunning. Her long vermillion hair covering most of her back and that white illegally short dress stole all of Sougo's attention.

Her perfect pale skin was shimmering under the candle light of the restaurant's chandelier. Every inch of her exposed skin looked silky smooth and it was almost inviting to be touched. "China?" A soft calling of her name sent shivers down her spine.

Kagura's eyes darted at the soft-spoken man sitting next to her. His voice rarely showed any sort of emotion, but this tender voice was completely new for Kagura. Sougo looked at her in total silence, making her heart beat a little faster.

Sougo moved his hand from his lap to rest on the bench cushion. He slid it slightly closer to Kagura with still keeping his distance. Kagura wasn't sure what he was doing at first. Eventually his hand lingering so close to her made even the oblivious Kagura to understand his body-language.

Sougo stared at his hand, behaving almost shyly towards Kagura. An urge grew inside her, an urge to touch his hand. Hesitantly, Kagura lifted her hand from her lap. Sougo's eyes followed her hands movement silently. Kagura placed her hand softly next to his.

Kagura swallowed a little. Without rushing she let her eyes climb up to meet with his. They held an intense eye contact for a while and it made Kagura feel like they were the only ones in the entire universe, nothing else existed but the feeling of that moment. "China..?" he called.

"What..?" she almost whispered.

"I just wanted to say that you look really beautiful tonight."

Kagura's heart skipped a beat. Nothing in her life had made her feel the way his words just made her feel. Sougo inched his hand closer to Kagura's, so close that she could feel a tingling on the tips of her fingers. "Sadist..." Kagura called quietly as she was about to close the minimal distance of their hands.

"Here's the cake!" Shinpachi announced with a smiling Soyo next to him. The second Shinpachi's voice came across the table Sougo and Kagura both stiffened and pulled their hands far away from each other. Kagura turned her head towards the window to hide her lightly blushing cheeks.

"Did we interrupt something?" Soyo asked, fully aware of the strange atmosphere.

Sougo cleared out his throat. "Nothing hime-sama. Right China?" His voice already sounded normal to Kagura so she had to get hers in shape immediately.

"Nope, nothing at all", Kagura said and looked directly at Soyo. Hiding her face would only make the situation seem more suspicious.

Soyo squinted her eyes a little at Kagura, but then she laughed playfully at the two. "I'm just kidding."

Shinpachi and Soyo put a cute little chocolate cake on the table. Kagura felt her mouth-watering just by looking at Sou-, I mean THE CAKE. "It looks amazing Soyo-chan!"

Soyo and Shinpachi sat down on to their spots. "Let's hope it tastes as good as it looks," Soyo said. "Shin-chan, could you cut us some cake."

"Of course sweetie!" Shinpachi said and blushed a little as he realized that Sougo and Kagura both heard him using an "embarrasing" endearment.

"Cut me a piece too, sweetiepie!" Kagura teased at the obvious opportunity.

Sougo laughed a little. "Could you make mine the biggest sweet-heart!" he teased as well.

As Kagura and Sougo were teasing and laughing at Shinpachi, Soyo leaned her head against his arm and closed her eyes. "I like when you call me sweetie Shin-chan."

Shinpachi ignored everything else and pressed his cheek softly against Soyo's head. He didn't have to say anything, their intimacy did all the talking for them. Kagura and Sougo noticed that their mocking was going nowhere and they dropped it. Kagura had seen Soyo and Shinpachi hug and hold hands before and she hadn't been bothered by it. But this time, seeing them felt a little awkward.

The cake was finally served and Kagura was so happy that the taste was excellent. She occasionally glanced at Sougo from the corner of her eye, but she couldn't bear to look at him directly. As much as Kagura was trying to focus on enjoying the cake, her mind went back to that short moment with Sougo. Thinking about it made her feel a funny tingling in her belly. Also, she couldn't stop smiling.

Kagura was enjoying her third piece of cake. Everyone else were already full, nothing else could fit. "Kagura-chan! How can you still be eating?" Shinpachi asked.

"Oi Megane. Why do you even have to ask?" Sougo said and he made both of the girls giggle.

In middle of their laughter a waiter came to the table. "Sorry for the interruption, but which one of you gentlemen is Okita Sougo?"

"That's me," Sougo said.

"Well Okita-san, there's someone here to see you."

Kagura looked at Sougo and frowned her brows a little. Who could it be? Maybe Mayora? Kagura thought. Sougo seemed to be as confused as the rest of their group.

Then, a young woman came next to the table. "Okita-san!"

"Koharu? What are you doing here?" Sougo asked and got up from his seat. Kagura watched the situation intensively. Who was this girl, she wondered.

"Okita-san, I'm sorry for bothering you so late, but I really needed to see you."

Sougo glanced quickly at Kagura who had a stern look on her face. "Sorry China, I'll be right back," he said. Kagura watched as Sougo guided the woman, Koharu, a little further away from their booth. She could see them, but hearing them was impossible.

Kagura took a deep breath and tried to act like she wasn't bothered by anything. Of course, Soyo saw through her horrible acting. "What are you thinking Kagura-chan?"

"Nothing," she answered bluntly. How could she explain her thoughts to Soyo when she didn't have the time to clear them out to herself first. Kagura hadn't seen that woman before and she didn't know how Sougo knew her, not that Kagura cared...well actually, she did care, but Kagura wanted to deal with her feelings later.

Kagura glared once more at Sougo, who was listening to Koharu. Apparently it was important enough for him to excuse himself. Kagura shook her head and decided to cut herself another slice of cake. "Kagura-chan?" Soyo asked.

"What Soyo-chan?" Kagura replied and digged her fork into the piece of cake on her plate.

Soyo knew that the cake was just a distraction. "You don't have to worry about Koharu-chan, she's just a-"

"Who said I was worried?" Kagura asked and stared at Soyo. "I don't care about who he spends his time with." Kagura even impressed herself with her acting this time.

Soyo knew Kagura was lying, but she didn't want to call her out for it. "Okay, all I meant was-"

"I'm fine!" Kagura raised her voice at Soyo. Even Shinpachi saw that Kagura was more than bothered by the situation, but he knew when to leave her alone. Shinpachi also saw how bothered Soyo was for making Kagura snap at her. He put his arm around his girlfriend and pulled her closer to him.

Normally these kinds of things didn't bother her, but right now Kagura was almost overwhelmed with different emotions. Kagura didn't like the fact that Sougo was talking to some pretty girl and admitting it was a hard pill to swallow for her.

Shinpachi hugged Soyo to comfort her. Kagura noticed how all the little things he did made Soyo smile again. He stroked her arm with feather light touches. He softly took Soyo's free hand and interlaced their fingers together. Kagura hadn't really paid any attention on how good of a boyfriend Shinpachi really was.

To put aside her current mood, Kagura was really happy for Soyo and Shinpachi. "You know what," she said.

Both looked at Kagura with calm eyes. "What Kagura-chan?" Shinpachi asked.

"You two are really lucky because you guys have found each other in this world-aru." Kagura directed her words especially to Soyo as to party apologise for her small tantrum.

"Thank you Kagura-chan," Soyo said and glanced at Shinpachi with a sparkle in her eye. "I think so too." Shinpachi blushed and smiled for Soyo. He clearly wanted to kiss her, Kagura wasn't that blind, but Shinpachi decided not to do so. Maybe he thought it would be inconsiderate for Kagura.

That was the moment Kagura realized something. She desired to be loved by someone as much as Shinpachi loved Soyo. She wanted something real and honest like they had, no games or shenanigans.

The only thing she got was a double date with a rude bastard who treated her nicely only if there was a bet about it. Kagura had thought that the she had enjoyed herself, but on the other hand, nothing of it was real. They had a bet on pretending, so how could it be real. She was certain that the small moment between them, the moment that made her heart pound harder, had to be some sick joke on his part.

"Thank you Soyo-chan for tonight. It was a different kind of birthday celebration."

"My pleasure Kagura-chan!" Soyo said with a smile. "Maybe we can do this again sometimes."

Kagura snorted a little. "Maybe I could choose my own date the next time, yes?"

"Huh? Why? I thought you and Okita-san were getting along so well."

Kagura decided to tell Soyo and Shinpachi about their stupid bet. "Well, sadist is who is he, still a bastard after all these years," Kagura said and wondered if that was all she thought of him. Something in her forced her eyes to look for him, to see his face. Sougo was now the one speaking to the girl, but Kagura wasn't looking at her.

"I mean, we had this bet," Kagura said and looked down to her lap. "We were supposed to-" Kagura began, but sudden movement in Sougo's direction caught her attention. Her eyes widened from the sight.

The girl practically threw herself in Sougo's arms. Kagura expected him to push her away like he usually did with his fangirls, but no. Sougo was obviously a little surprised about the hug, but he allowed it. Kagura stared as he even wrapped his arms loosely around the girl and held her for a moment.

Kagura felt a sickening, almost painful feeling in her gut. She needed some fresh air, she needed some time alone, and most importantly she needed to get the hell out of the restaurant.

"Kagura-chan?" Soyo asked with a worried voice. Kagura looked like she had seen a ghost. Soyo was about to turn to look what Kagura was seeing.

"UH!" Soyo's focus returned to Kagura. She didn't want Soyo to see Sougo being so comfortably with the other girl, she would make a big deal out of it and Kagura wanted to forbid that at all costs. "Sorry guys! I need some fresh air."

Kagura got up from the booth hastily as possible. Soyo and Shinpachi were both very confused of her sudden change of behaviour. "We can come with you Kagura-chan" Shinpachi said and was about to get up too.

"No, no! I'm fine, uh-huh", Kagura rambled.

Before rushing to the door, Kagura glanced at Sougo one last time. He was still hugging the girl, but his eyes were glued to Kagura. They shared a deep look and Kagura made sure that her eyes told him to fuck right off.

She was hurt by him. She wasn't exactly sure how or why, but she was.

Kagura saw a reaction in his eyes, but she wasn't interested in spending any more time with him. Kagura flipped her hair and straightened her white cheongsam. Then she turned away from Sougo and rushed to the door.

Sougo had read her eyes and message perfectly. "Shit," he said under his breath. Sougo pulled himself gently but swiftly away from the hug. "Koharu, I'm sorry but I gotta go."

"Of course. I hope your girlfriend didn't get the wrong idea," Koharu said.

Sougo laughed nervously. "She's not my girlfriend, but I'm afraid she's definitely the misunderstanding type."

"Good luck with that. See you later!"

"Thanks."

Kagura had just disappeared from Soyo and Shinpachi's sight. Before neither could say anything on the matter, they saw Sougo running right after her.