Disclaimer: The characters of Gintama belong to Sorachi Hideaki. :)
Authors Note: I'm so sorry this chapter took so long! This chap might seem a little slow, but I assure you it will pick up *Bows* Enjoy chapter 3!
Chap. 3 Every day Has Its Problems That Will Affect the Future
Gintoki peers around the corner, watching Shouyou- sensei talking with the two same amanto that came yesterday.
"I told you! Why do you think I would do that?! These children came on their own free will!" Shouyou yells at the amanto. Gintoki narrows his eyes, he's never seen Shouyou mad before.
"Shouyou," one amanto coaxes him to relax, "We know they came on their own free will, but the Bakufu does not like that you are teaching them the ways of the sword," the amanto pauses, "It worries them."
Shouyou narrows his eyes, "What is there to worry about?"
The second amanto shakes his head, "Shouyou just be careful, we wouldn't want to make a scene," he says quietly.
The amanto nod once at Shouyou, they turn walking down the stairs.
Shouyou stares after them with troubled eyes, until they disappear over the hill. He sighs, "Gintoki you can come out now."
Gintoki walks around the corner, exposing himself, he looks at Shouyou with anxious eyes, "Sensei, what was that about?"
Shouyou shakes his head quickly. He looks down at Gintoki smiling, but the smile is forced, "Nothing," he raises an eyebrow, "It's dinnertime. Why aren't you eating?"
"I was curious why you left," Gintoki replies.
"Curiosity killed the cat," Shouyou whispers quietly, hoping that Gintoki didn't hear him.
Gintoki laughs, "Yeah, but this cat will keep coming back to life."
Shouyou bursts out laughing, his troubled demeanor gone, replaced with his usual happiness. He looks into Gintoki's deep crimson eyes, "I believe that, you'll become the strongest person I'll know, Gintoki."
Gintoki smiles brightly. Shouyou smiles brightly back rustling Gintoki's wavy silver hair, "Let's go back to dinner." Gintoki nods.
Gintoki sits back down at his table next to Katsura. Takasugi is across from them. His half eaten rice is still on the table, but cold.
"Where did you go, Gintoki?" Katsura asks.
Gintoki sighs, leaning back on his hands, "I saw Shouyou- sensei pass the doorway, so I went to see what he was doing."
Takasugi raises an eyebrow, "What if he was doing something important?"
Gintoki looks around the room, "He looked… mad," he says quietly, "The amanto came back," he adds.
Katsura and Takasugi's eyes widen. "W-What did they want?" Katsura asks nervously.
Gintoki snorts, "They said that the Bakufu were getting nervous, because Shouyou-sensei was teaching us."
Takasugi narrows his eyes, "The Bakufu? What do those jerks care?!"
"Takasugi!" Katsura hisses. All three of them look around the room, where it had gone quiet and everyone was staring at them now.
Takasugi waves them away, putting his head down, deep in thought, "What would happen if Shouyou didn't take their worry seriously?" He asks out loud.
Katsura shudders, "I don't even want to think about that." Gintoki nods slowly.
Their heads turn as they hear Shouyou clap his hands. Shouyou smiles at them warmly, "Ok everyone let's go to the dojo now."
"Yes, Sensei!" All of them yell in unison.
All of them are now in the dojo, wooden swords in hand.
"Alright," Shouyou begins, "I would like to pair you all up and you will train together today." Some kids high-five each other. Shouyou smiles, "I said I will pair you up, so I'm sorry if you can't be with your friends." The kids that high- fived each other groan.
A few kids turn to each other whispering loudly, "I want to paired up with Gintoki."
"Yeah I know, that'd be so cool, he's so awesome with the sword."
Takasugi snorts, the two kids look at him. One asks, "Takasugi, you wouldn't want to be paired with him?"
Takasugi shakes his head, "I never said that," he whispers.
The other kid narrows his eyes, "I'll never understand you Takasugi." Takasugi nods slightly, not looking at them.
"Ok," Shouyou starts, "Let's see," He goes through the kids until only two kids are left, "And the last pair will be Gintoki and Takasugi."
Gintoki smiles, Takasugi smirks. "Ok," Shouyou continues, "Stand across from each other; we are just going to do some simple strikes. Remember, don't strike to hard." Everyone nods, standing across from their partners.
"Strike!" Shouyou yells.
The kids run forward, but not using all their strength, their wooden swords smack each other.
Takasugi and Gintoki go last, they both run forward. Their swords smack each other, both holding strong.
Takasugi's eyes widen at Gintoki's strength. He quickly shakes his head, stepping back, as does Gintoki.
They do this some more as do the other children.
Shouyou smiles, "Alright, you will not need your partners for this next part. Next we will just do normal strikes, then we will be done for the day."
The kids line up, take step and strike. They do this a few times before Takasugi looks over at Gintoki. "You're pretty strong."
Gintoki brings his sword down, stepping back again before saying with a smirk, "So are you."
Takasugi averts his eyes, "I know you don't mean that."
Gintoki's eyes widen, "Of course I mean it."
Takasugi chuckles, shaking his head, but doesn't say anything more.
Shouyou tilts his head looking at Gintoki and Takasugi finish talking. His eyes narrow at Takasugi's tension. He looks at everyone, "Ok," he says loudly, "That's enough for today."
"Awe, but sensei!" A few kids whine.
Shouyou smiles, "I'm sorry, but it's time for bed."
A few kids grumble as they set their swords on the rack. "Goodnight sensei!" A few call over their shoulders.
Shouyou nods, smiling. He takes one last look at Takasugi, the air of tension still around him. "Good night Takasugi," he says smiling at him.
Takasugi looks at him, he blinks hard, returning the smile, "Good night, sensei."
Gintoki wakes up with a start, he looks around his room, he sits up fanning himself, "Why is it so hot in here?" He puts a hand against his forehead. It's burning hot.
"I can't have a fever," he rasps. His eyes widen as he hears footsteps coming towards his room. He crawls over to the shoji, opening it.
Shouyou gasps, as he sees Gintoki open the shoji, "Oh Gintoki, what are you doing up this late?"
"I just heard you coming," Gintoki whispers, his throat burning.
Shouyou tilts his head, "You're voice sounds really different." His eyes narrow, he walks over to Gintoki, sitting on his haunches. He puts the back of his hand against Gintoki's forehead, he gasps, "You have a fever!"
Gintoki nods slightly. Shouyou ushers him back into his room, "I'll get you some ice, so lay down," he commands.
Gintoki sighs, but does as he's told. Shouyou smiles, "I'll be right back."
Once he is gone Gintoki looks up at the dark starry sky through the open shoji. "Something's going to happen, I can feel it sensei," he whispers, gritting his teeth.
Authors Note: Hey! I believe next chapter I'll put some heartwarming moments, so look forward to that. Maybe also a little surprise! ;) I hope you liked it!
