Disclaimer: I do not own Gintama

I am now gradually re-writing my older chapters. Chapter 3 is rewritten on 21 July 2014


Moonstruck Chapter 3

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... It's really him!

Looking up eagerly, the young woman traced the voice to the very edge of the puddle where Okita Sougo stood standing, wearing his trademark Super-man T-shirt, jeans and an ironic smile.

She hadn't seen him in some time. Apparently, he had travelled back to his hometown in Bushu to take care of some family matters. Although she hadn't admitted it to herself, (nor anyone else for the matter) the Yato woman had keenly missed the young samurai's presence in the two weeks when he had gone. Through the years, Thursdays spent with her rival had risen to become the highlight of Kagura's week and the local park had quickly become depressing in the wake of his absence.

It was a weekly event that the local populace, at least those familiar with Kabuki-cho, had grown wise enough to avoid. After all, no one really felt like becoming collateral damage.

It had begun completely by accident, at a time when the two bored teenagers had nothing but time on their hands. Teasing on both sides had escalated quickly into a violent free-for-all and in the aftermath of the chaos that inevitably ensued, led to an unspoken agreement between the two rivals.

As of recently, their little rendezvous had been going on for years.

Whenever the two rivals fought, the young woman would firmly maintain to herself that the active collision and separation of their bodies was little more than a fierce battle for supremacy. However, there were also fleeting occasions when fighting with Okita made the Yato feel as if they were participants of a strange dance - one that was not only dynamic and ever-changing but a special dance with steps that are known to none but the two of them.

The whimsical thought brought a smile to her lips. Forgetting herself for a moment, the Yato gazed at her rival, taking in the sight of the familiar young man before her.

The years had been kind to Okita. At twenty two, the young captain appeared the same as he always did, a quick-witted young man with ash-blonde hair and a decidedly sarcastic attitude. Widely-known for being one of the most formidable swordsmen in the Shinsengumi organization, the samurai had a reputation among the streets of Edo for being a tough and talented fighter.

In comparison to his earlier days, the blonde had grown taller and sturdier, his once boyish facial-contours taking on an angular, more masculine edge. Okita's mahogany eyes, once large and deceptively appealing, seemed to have hardened slightly over the years, reflecting not innocence but the calculating air of a seasoned swordsman.

Catching Kagura's searching gaze, the policeman's eyes seemed to gleam back at her with a restless intelligence.

These days, her rival made his physical presence felt during their weekly brawls. It was something she had experienced for herself, several times, first hand. Blatantly using his superior body mass to his advantage, Okita would charge at her, attempting to force her off her feet even as she spun and twisted her own body to avoid the deadly swings of his steel katana.

Naturally the apathetic demeanor was a given, but there were other… newer changes. Kagura had noticed (with some worry, not that she would admit it to herself) that the young captain had accumulated a few new scars along his sword arm. They ran down the back of his arm like speed bumps, knotted like fine ropes. A physical reminder of the miscalculations one made in the heat of battle. She could see them especially clearly today, since he didn't bother hiding them underneath his long sleeved, black Shinsengumi coat.

Okita must have grown tired of the silence between them, for he punctured it with a cryptic statement.

''Say, China, it's a little early in the year for spawning season. Are the tadpoles out yet ?"

''What are you on about?"

Utterly confused, Kagura stared at the young captain in undisguised bewilderment.

''I was referring to you," Okita pointed at her with his dead-pan expression. "What are you doing, crouched in the middle of that puddle?"

The policeman's tone was subtle but to Kagura, distinctly unmistakable. Her rival was never one for making small talk and the young woman recognized his query immediately for what it was - that the policeman was bored and was now seeking a full-blown verbal argument.

Turning her head away, she chose to ignore him, a miserable attempt, since there was nothing else to occupy her. She could not even concentrate on the puddle anymore. Not while he was standing there, smirking at her.

"Oh, could you possibly be a new, undiscovered species of frog?''

Okita cocked his head to one side, in a mocking parody of curiosity. A bystander would have regarded their exchange as a couple having a casual conversation, albeit in a somewhat strange situation. Kagura however, knew her rival better than that.

"… I know!", a satisfied smirk spread across his features." I'll christen you Frogus Sadistius," the policeman announced triumphantly, feeling rightfully proud of his jibe.

Tormenting Hijikata tended to be favorite pastime, but taunting his rival ran close seconds. Okita smiled innocently at Kagura's now fuming expression. One could almost see the steam emerging from her ears.

An angry nerve twitched near Kagura's temple. Losing her temper, she pointed at him and yelled, "Stupid Sadist! There's no such term as 'frogus!' Just who was your science teacher anyway? Are you lumping me together with an inferior life-form BAKAYORO?"

Thoroughly enjoying Kagura's now furious expression, Okita pressed on mercilessly.

''Of course I am. My, aren't you feeling completely honored right now?"

And the fight was on.

"Gee Sadist, what happened to 'China'?", Kagura sneered depreciatingly.

''Awww, what happened to 'Okita-kun'?", Okita responded smoothly. On his face was a carefully designed smile, dazzling enough to knock out an entire cohort of die-hard fan-girls.

"Hijikata calls me the Prince from planet S, but you may call me 'Prince' for short."

Kagura, who knew better from years of exposure to Okita's capricious nature, only snorted. "Forget it, 'Sadist' suits you just fine."

The policeman's charming veneer dissolved, exposing a predatory smile before finally dropping their little banter. By then, their argument was wearing thin. Even for him.

"What's so great about that puddle anyway?", Okita demanded airily.

Kagura groaned tiredly. She waved a dismissive hand in his direction.

"Go away, Sadist, it's MY private puddle, go find your own."

''Who are you, a property agent? And besides, I think I'll invite myself in. Don't mind if I do," he bowed mocking before bending down to detach a sandal-strap.

"Actually, I do mind...", Kagura began, only to be ignored completely by Okita, who had already kicked off his sandals and begun wading into the puddle towards her.

"Here I come."

Squatting downwards in a single fluid movement, the policeman peered intently into the puddle.

Kagura allowed him a space next to her, though somewhat unwillingly. Although she had a crush on Okita for years, the young woman was slightly uncomfortable with being at such a close quarters with the policeman. Other than their Thursday fights in the park, she could not remember a time when the policeman had intentionally sought her out just to 'spend quality time' with her.

Shoulder to shoulder, the two rivals stared awkwardly into the water.

''… You know what China?"

"Uh-huh?"

" It sounds crazy, but you can actually see the skyline from here… And is that a tiny space-craft?"

Kagura smiled.

Hey! It looks like the Sadist sees things the same way I do!

Kagura blinked in realization.

Wait, isn't that a good thing? Kami-sama, does this mean that we're actually having what Anego calls 'a moment'?

''What do you see China?", Okita turned warm mahogany eyes in her direction and Kagura's stomach responded by turning a small somersault.

"… Oh, nothing much. Just a few candy wrappers and a bottle-cap."

WHAT? What the heck did I just say?... Stupid! Stupid Kagura!

''Ahhhh~ is that so?''

Okita smirked amusedly at her, ''Looks like China-girl has no poetry in her soul after all."

Standing up abruptly, the young woman turned to leave.

''China, where are you going?"

There was a slight note of panic in Okita's calm voice, but Kagura was too upset to catch it. Thoroughly exasperated, her only thought was to get away from him as quickly as possible. She was actually a little hurt. How dare he be so presumptuous! Did he expect that little of her? That she could never hope to see things the way he did?

The young woman felt tears prickling the edges of her eyelids. Growling, she rubbed at them fiercely, not wanting to show any weakness in front of her rival.

"If it's a fight you want, I left my umbrella back home! I'm headed to the store now, goodbye you baka sadist," she announced in a thick voice. It wasn't exactly the fierce effect she was aiming for, but it was all the young woman could muster at the moment.

Head held high, she turned away with as much dignity she could manage.

''Oh, and by the way, that 'tiny space-craft' was a Shinsengumi patrol ship.'' She said over her shoulder, scorn reverberating through every word.

… Ah. So China was actually paying attention? How unexpected of her. Wait. Doesn't that make us similar then? Come to think of it, China is my rival isn't she? Don't rivals in movies usually have a lot in common?

Usually, if Okita was thinking hard, his expression showed no indication of it. It was a habit cultivated since his youth, training in the Shinsengumi force. To be able to keep up a poker-face, or at least a somewhat blank expression, an officer needed to keep his mental thoughts from affecting his facial features. It was a feat the young captain generally excelled in.

Until now.

Okita Sougo was definitely feeling surprised. And it showed, clear as the day.

Grabbing her chance at his stunned expression, Kagura stamped her foot hard onto the water.

That should wipe that smug look off the baka-sadist's face!

Pwwwwuuuuuutttttttttfffff!

Okita's eyes widened as icy cold water flew up, soaking into his hair and the fabric of his jeans and T-shirt.

Kagura was about to break into a gleeful laugh at her rival's expense when she caught sight of Okita's strange expression, partially hidden beneath his dripping ash-blonde hair. There was a warning look in her rival's eyes that she did not recognize.

"Sadist…?''

Worried, Kagura opened her mouth to apologize.

Abruptly, he caught hold of her wrist, pulling her downwards towards him. Caught off balance, the young woman stumbled over her feet.

"AHHHH!"


A/N: For every Gintama fan out there worth their salt, we love Okikagu moments, they are hilarious! More please! XDDD

While we love their boisterous interaction, this chapter also reveals their hidden psyches.

Silly? Definitely.

Romantic? Probably.

Enjoy! And don't forget to drop a review on your way out. =)