Chapter 3

.

.

Things at the Yorozuya were usually busy this time of year. The sakura viewing was tomorrow and they usually found themselves running errands for their clients or helping out at one of the shops. He was surprised that they only had a few clients this time. Their last job had been completed just that morning and with nothing left to do he decided to wander around the streets with Kagura and Shinpachi.

Surprised yes, but I'm glad I can kick back and relax. He watched as Kagura and Shinpachi bickered over how they should spend their money. Little brats took off with most of it claiming they did all the work. Leaving me with chump change. His hand in his kimono scratched at his stomach as he looked up at the clear blue sky. A shoe hit his head causing him to stumble. He snapped back quickly to his companions with a glare.

"Shinpachi did it!" Kagura jumped away from Shinpachi, pointing a finger at him.

"What?!" Shinpachi yelled looking outraged at the young girl. His next words were cut off by Gintoki.

He smacked Kagura on the head with the offending shoe. "This is your shoe, idiot!" She caught it when he tossed it to her. He walked past them. "Come on."

The other two looked at each other before darting after him. "Gin-san." Gintoki glanced at Shinpachi. "Maybe we should have Tama make the food this year? I'd rather not die from sisters dark matter." The younger male shuddered.

"Sounds good, Pachie." The three of them suddenly had a mental image of Tama barfing up bento boxes, making them blanch. "Then again, maybe not." He saw Hijikata ushering the strange girl from yesterday into their favorite restaurant. "Why don't you two go on and get the things your sister wanted and I'll go get some food for us to bring." He picked a bugger from his nose and wiped it on Kagura's shoulder, pretending he was just patting it.

"Alright, just don't spend all your money on pachiko, Gin-san. You still have rent to pay."

"Don't tell me what to do!" Gin yelled and childishly stuck his tongue out at the boy's back as he followed Kagura into the shop they had been standing in front of. He strolled further down the road to the restaurant and slipped inside. He saw his targets sitting at the bar waiting for their orders. As he moved closer he could see a hint of a blush on Hijikata's cheeks, watching the girl out of the corner of his eye. He laughed internally. She's going to burst into flames if he stares any harder. A random person walked by making the girl's hair move slightly. Her hair already looks like it's on fire. It's kind of pretty. He moved to her other side and fingered a lock of her hair. Why does this dog keeping hogging the new chick? He flashed a cheesy grin as the hair slipped through his fingers when she turned to look at him. He slid into the seat next to her, ignoring Hijikata's withering glare. "What brings you here to this fine place,.." He waited expectantly for her name.

She smiled shyly at him. "Melody." She shifted in her seat. He's sitting so close and he smells surprisingly better than I thought. She looked down at the counter. He smells like strawberries, peppermint and sun-dried linen. Such an odd combination. Her fingers traced along the sides and edges of the chopsticks in front of her. Toshi-kun smells good too. Even with the smell of smoke that clings to him. He smells like the outdoors and… mayo. She giggled to herself.

Gintoki snorted trying not to out right laugh at Hijikata's raging blush. He smiled at Melody and gently nudged her with his elbow. "Whatchu giggling for?"

Melody smiled to herself but didn't look at him. "Nothing." She thanked the old man after he set their food in front of them. "Oh! Wait!" The old man turned back to her with a smile. "Can I get some sake please?"

"Sure thing, little lady." Set down a warm bottle of sake and a small cup in front of her. Seeing the two men watching her closely, he placed two more cups next to the bottle. "Here you go. Enjoy your meal." With a knowing smile, the old man walked off.

She reached for the bottle but a hand already on it stopped her. "Allow me." Gintoki offered. He poured sake into two of the cups, one for himself and one for her.

Melody rolled her eyes having caught onto to his little game. She grabbed the bottle from Gin and poured the warm liquid into the third cup. She turned to Hijikata and place the cup in front of him. "I know you're on duty, but one cup shouldn't hurt." He nodded his thanks and picked up the cup. They drained their cups at the same time and savored the warm liquid as it slid down their throats. She hummed contently. "I could get used to this." She looked at the dark haired man next to her as he began shoveling his food into his mouth. Hijikata Special, huh?

He felt her staring and lowered his bowl. "What?" He looked at her curiously.

She eyed the contents in his bowl. "What's that taste like?" Melody squealed mentally. Oh my gosh that shocked look of his is soo cute.

Hijikata blinked. She doesn't think it's disgusting? "Wo-would you like to try it?" He scooped up a small amount on his chopsticks. She nodded and opened her mouth for him to feed her. His heart beat sped up watching her lips brush against the end of his chopsticks as she took the offered bite. He ignored Gin's grumbling about bad manners and sharing chopsticks.

She chewed thoughtfully before swallowing. "Wow, that was really good." She smiled brightly at Hijikata and turned back to eat her own food.

She- She actually liked it. His lope-sided grinned turned to a smirk when he saw the silver haired man glaring at him.

"You shouldn't be eating that dog food. It'll make you sick." He scooped up a little of his Sakata Special. "Try mine. It tastes better."

"The hell it does! No one wants to eat that cat food!"

"Damn it! It's not cat food! It's better than that garbage any day!"

"It's not garbage! It's the Hijikata Special!"

"Fine! Dog food garbage!"

"Shut up, mop head!"

"Tax sucking government mutt!"

Both men had risen to their feet, practically snarling at each other.

Knowing where this was going, Melody burst out laughing. "You two are ridiculous." She pushed her now empty bowl away and poured herself another cup of sake. She sat back, letting them glare at each other uninterrupted as they finished eating. As she reached forward and refilled her cup, a thought occurred to her. "Toshi-kun- ah! Is it ok for me to call you that." She caught her slip and asked shyly. He nodded and without looking she smacked Gin in the back of the head for snickering. "I.. um.. I need a shower, b-but I don't have anything clean to wear."