Okita was making his rounds as usual on the west side of Edo. It was extremely boring. He decided to slack off and headed towards the park.
He saw a figure sitting on the bench he usually naps on. Walking closer, he sees it was a girl with orange hair and two black bun coverings. A smirk slowly formed across his face. Perfect. Now the entertainment can begin.
"Oi, China," a deadpanned voice called out to Kagura. She didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.
The girl looked up in surprise. Her blue orbs then narrowed.
"What do you want, you bastard! Can't I have some peace around here?"
"Ah, what are you doing at the park alone this late at night? Are you trying to abduct unsuspecting children? Didn't you know they only come out during the day?"
"What the hell is wrong with your head, you freaking sadist? Why would I, a cute little girl, abduct children?" she fumed.
He knew how to push her buttons.
"A cute little girl? Ha, who has been telling you lies, China? An alien is not cute."
"Oh, he's going to get it," Kagura thought. Her blue eyes flashed dangerously.
And that is exactly what Okita Sougo wanted.
Kagura began to throw punches towards Okita. He drew his sword.
"Ah ah, attacking a police officer. I can arrest you for that, China"
"SHUT UP, YOU SADIST!"
The fighting did not last long in the park. Soon they were fighting on the street. Okita made a swift jump onto a railing then onto the roof and Kagura followed closely behind.
"Are you trying to run away? Are you scared of the Queen of Kabuki district now? Haha, you must be! You're so weak you have to run away from a girl!" Kagura taunted.
Okita felt anger rising up inside of him. Damn China girl. She knew how to push my buttons, too.
Okita turned around and faced Kagura. He dashed towards her, his sword ready to slice her flapping mouth.
Kagura stepped back but lost her footing. She soon disappeared off the rooftop. A thud was heard.
Okita stopped his attack midway and straightened his stance. This could be a trap. She is probably hanging onto the side of the roof. I better check carefully.
His kept his guard up. To his surprise, there was no sign of Kagura hanging. Instead, he saw her sprawled on the ground, unconscious.
He jumped down and landed beside her in one swift motion. He kicked her gently on the side. No reaction.
"Pfft, unconscious already. You're no fun—"
He suddenly saw red fluid spilling out of the side of her head.
His brown eyes widened in surprise. "Oh shi—" He panicked and picked her up and carried her to the Shinsengumi police car. He drove full speed towards the Oedo hospital. Everything was too surreal.
"Kagura, hang in there," Okita mumbled.
Okita paced around. He hated hospitals. The white walls, the familiar disinfectant smell, all of this reminded him of his late sister.
He stared at the operation light. It has been on for an hour now. He took of his jacket. There was Kagura's blood on it. His eyes shone with remorse. If only he didn't pick on her… He stopped pacing around and sat down.
After two hours of operation, finally the doctor came out of the operation room.
"How is she, doctor?" Okita asked, getting up from the seat.
"She's fine. She is still unconscious. She would have to be at the hospital for a couple of weeks."
"Thank God," Okita thought. "Wait a minute… 'Thank God?' What the heck? Am I actually worried about China?" He shook his head. "No no, I am worried about what kind of report I need to write because of this stupid girl. God, all that paperwork… Hijikata-san is going to kill me if he finds out what really happened."
He walked into Kagura's room. There she laid in bed with bandages on her head. She looked so peaceful. Her pale face did not have the usual scowl that she showed him. She almost looked… pretty.
His hand slowly entwined with hers. It was small and soft. Soon he felt his eyelids droop. He put on his trademark eyemask and decided to rest his head on the edge of the hospital bed.
"OI, SOUGO! ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?"
Okita snapped out of his thoughts. "Huh? Oh, Hijikata-san. I didn't notice you were here," Okita used his usual deadpanned voice.
Hijikata's temple vein popped. "We are in a meeting. Of COURSE I am here! I am the one who is hosting it!"
The man with jet-black hair cleared his throat and continued with the meeting.
"There was a case where Kagura fell off the roof. Now Sougo, you said you found her unconscious. But I think your report is a little flawed. Can you tell us what really happened? Were you taunting her again? Do you know how your actions can damage the image of the Shinsengumi?"
Hijikata walked up to Sougo and picked him by his collar.
"You bastard. If our image goes further down the drain, I will make you commit seppuku."
Okita's eyes averted to the ground.
"…Sorry," the boy mumbled.
Hijikata looked surprise and dropped him back down.
"Ah, Sougo, a lot has happened so just take the rest of today off."
"KONDO-SAN! You can't just simply let him off the hook!" Hijikata interjected. "That brat cannot be spoiled any further! A punishment is in order!"
Okita quietly mumbled, "Excuse me," and left the room.
"OI SOUGO! I AM NOT DONE WITH YOU! YOU LITTLE BRAT! COME BACK HERE!"
"Leave him be, Toshi." Kondo said. "That boy hasn't even tried to kill you after coming back from his night rounds. I think Sougo needs some time alone."
Okita changed into his sleeping clothes and lied on his bed. It had been a long night. He searched for his eyemask.
"Che. I can't find it. Guess I lost it."
Sighing, he puts one arm over his eyes and tries to sleep.
At the hospital, Kagura woke up and saw Gin-chan and Shinpachi beside her bed.
"GIN-CHAN! I MISSED YOU!" She jumped up and hugged the silver-haired samurai. "There was someone creepy holding my hand when I first woke up. I was so scared! I am so glad you're here!"
"Someone creepy? I think you mean Okita-san, right?" Shinpachi asked, holding up the red eye mask.
"Oh? Soichiro-kun left his eye mask here huh? He must've left hurriedly if he has forgotten something this important." A smirk formed on Gintoki's face.
"Gin-san, I think his name is Sougo," Shinpachi corrects him.
"Eh, but I swear his name is Yagami Soichiro!" Gintoki still argued.
While the two Yorozuya members were arguing, Kagura recalls the scene of her meeting with Okita a moment ago. When she asked him who he was, she could have sworn he had a look of pain, even if it was just for a fleeting moment.
"So, who is Okita Sougo?" Kagura asked the two men.
They stopped their bickering and stared at Kagura.
"Oi oi, Kagura. Don't tell me you forgot the sadist?" Gintoki said.
"Sadist? He's a sadist?" Kagura had a look of disgust on her face.
Gintoki ruffled his hair a bit before lazying replying, "Ah, looks like you really forgot huh. Well yeah, he is kind of a sadist. You guys always fight and stuff."
"Like every single day," Shinpachi added.
Kagura's eyebrows furrowed as she held the red eye mask.
Somehow, she felt kind of bad for this sadist.
