Gintama Fanfiction Chapter 4: Facing Fears

I am going to try and update a soon as possible, but I'm in my senior year at high school and the work load is piling up before my eyes.

Authors Disclaimer: All characters that belong to Hideaki Sorachi are solely his. I only really own one and that's Lava; Big difference.

"How... how much more do you know about me, girlie? Wrong move and you're dead."

Lava's heart started to beat like crazy and she knew that she was in a whole lot of shit now. WHY ME! Why am I cursed with being so damn truthful with everybody; someday it will be the death of me...

"Okita, please...don't do this. I hyperventilate when I'm scared and you are doing it to me right now. PLEASE! Please, I'll explain, just give me a chance, one chance is all I need." Lava said.

Okita looked at Lava sceptically, wondering why the hell he would trust a stranger with all this knowledge about him, potentially enough to know his weakness; if this knowledge was sold to the enemy, whoever they are, he could be killed. He stood in front of her, his shadow overpowering her.

"...One chance. I have no idea why I am not dismembering your head at this very moment, but somehow, I'm feeling chivalrous. Now, please do tell how you know EVERYTHING about me. Oh and if you screw this up, I have no reason to keep you alive." Okita looked at her with his currently savage looking eyes.

Lava, eyes wide, kept her hands gripping onto the swing for dear mercy and prayed she would make sense of what she was going to say.

"Whatever I tell you, you must try and understand, no matter how ridiculous it sounds. Please promise me this...Okita"

"...It's my life you're talking about here; I guess I can try to comprehend...for your sake."

Lava took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Looking at the ground she began to tell of how she knew everything that she wasn't supposed to.

"Okita, in my world you're not real...This whole world here is NOT supposed to be real to me. I don't belong here, I never did. See, I'm from another world, parallel to yours and I was probably never meant to be here with the laws of physics and all, but somehow I am! But I know you, and I know everyone here because in my world, your whole world is depicted in a manga by a man that not even I know and it revolves mainly around Gin, Shinpachi and Kagura. This is probably means nothing, but if it's any consolation, I've always wanted to be here. Maybe I'm in a dream waiting to wake up, but so far, this is the only explanation that makes sense to me, and even that isn't reasonable or logical enough."

Tears started falling down her face and onto the ground, making the dirt underneath her a darker shade. Her eyes looked sincere and yet Okita could see by the way she gritted her teeth that she was angry and frustrated with herself.

Okita sighed and holstered his sword back. He walked back to the swing and sat down to think about what she had just said. Sure, he might live in a world where other alien life forms breathe the same air as the humans, but a parallel universe?

"You know," he said while looking ahead "It really wouldn't matter if you thought I was alive or not, because the matter of the fact is, I am right next to you and that's all the proof I need...that and the fact that I've always got Hijikata-san to torture and humiliate whenever I want to."

A small smile slowly formed on Lava's lips; most wouldn't even notice it but Okita had seen it.

"Even though the manga that I read in my world portrays some of your life, I can say it really doesn't do you justice. (A/N SORRY FOR THAT HIDEAKI) First thing, you're not as sadistic as you seem to be; and if you are, I'm praying to the gods that whatever it is that's making a good impression on you stay like that forever. I can say I never want to be on your bad side. Ever...I've seen it first hand in the manga AND the anime!" shivering at the thought of a sadistic Okita.

A chuckle escaped his mouth shortly after she said this and then shut up again, mentally telling himself not to let loose emotionally with a person. The sun had already set and the dark was settling into the streets. Lava looked around and realised it was dark...and she forgot to meet up with Shinpachi and the group at the supermarket.

"Ohh crap, I forgot! Man, I keep on doing this and it'll be sayonara to my stay with the Odd Jobs. I really must go Okita...but I'll come visit you and Hijikata-san at the Shinsengumi station next time. I'll get Kagura to take me there."

She looked at Okita one last time and then took off in a hurry.


Lava was nearly at the shop and was hoping the team didn't ditch her...but the closer she got, the more she was doubting herself.

Ah well, it's my fault. Can't really blame them...wait...I can see Kagura!

"Kagura! Oh Thank God you waited! You don't know how happy I am to see you!"

"Well, Gin did bribe me 3 pickled seaweeds... to stay and wait, even though I hate waiting...*stomach grumbles*I'M STARVING! Let's go home!"

"Ahahah, yes, lets go home. Well all the shoppings done, so I can't wait for an authentic Japanese meal! Mmmmmmm..."

"Mind you, I do eat like a pig, so if you don't hurry, the food will disappear before your eyes. By the way, what took you so long to get here? Four eyes told me you were taking a walk around."

"Long story...anyways, Shinpachi must be hard at work on our dinner, so we shouldn't be late!"


"Oh my god Shinpachi! WHERE did you learn to cook like that? This is absolutely amazing!"*nomnomnom*

"One reason; My sister is unfortunately a horrid cooker and I have to swallow down her burnt EVERYTHING just to make sure her feelings aren't hurt."

"Glasses, please. He's only scared that he'll get the crap beated out of him if he somehow insults her. What a total loser...and to think he's my friend." Kagura snickered.

Hahahaha, I remember her; Otae san was it? Burned omeletes were her specialty...mmm...this is some tasty omurice...oh damn there's no more left on my plate...oh well

"Hmm...don't think you could make some more, could you Shinpachi?" Lava asked

"Well considering most of the time we're left to scrounge for scraps, I'd say its better to leave the rest for later."

"Ahh damn, I had a feeling you were going to say that."

"So Lava, do you have any ideas on what brought you to Edo? We barely know anything about you and yet I feel like you're already part of the group. Tell us about your past if that isn't too much to ask..is it?" Shinpachi asked.

"Hmm, firstly I haven't figured it, being here barely 2 days and all, but I know that in time i will understand...and secondly, my past is very complicated in terms of my old "world". I'm sure my problems don't even have meaning here...you've got so much to do and so little time, and yet everytime you guys do it to the best of your ability...I admire you guys for it."

"Uh, you sure you've been hanging aroung with the right "Odd Jobs"? You've only been here for 2 days like you said, and all we've done is provide you with a roof to sleep under. If that kind of gesture can tell alot about people, then sheesh...you must be some kinda saint...or was it prophet?" Gin said.

"Uh..sure, I can tell if a person is...genuinely good or not, thats it." Lava quickly replied.

I've only told Okita that I'm from a parallel dimension and yet I'm babling about it like 'they' already know. Keep your head in the game Lava.

"Cool. Well since that's sorted and I'm stuffed I guess the only reasonable thing to do is sleep and no, I dont brush my teeth because I am totally bad-ass. Gooood Night!" Gin said and walked into the next room.

"Kagura, could you over here for a second. I need to talk to you about someone." Lava said. Kagura slowly slid over to the other side of the table and looked at Lava.

"Yurp, what canna I do for ya? Don't mind me, I'm just really happy with all the food I've had."

"It's about why I was late today. I met up with one of the Shinsengumi, who I assume you are already one a first name basis."

"Tsk, the Shinsengumi can be a pain in the ass sometimes but they're good people. What, have they already given you crap already?"

"No, no nothing like that. It's just that I met up with Okita today. Bumped into each other coincidentally of course. I'm just wondering what you're opinion was on him."

"Well, I can say for sure he's one sophisticated guy and yet acts like he's ignorant to the world around him...I even "liked" him at one point for it, not any more though...girly crush, that's all. It's just that we shared that ruthless quality when it came to the moment of truth like our previous fights with... way too many people in our pasts."

"Wow, I never knew you could be so insightful Kagura...thanks for the info. Just needed to know who I was dealing with. Ya know...I've even considered joining the Shinsengumi...is that... a bad thing?"

"WHOA, whoa, whoa! JOINING the SHINSENGUMI? Are you effing nuts Lava? First of all, the Shinsengumi are the root of almost all our problems here and they always want to stick their big fat noses into everything. Second of all, as far as I know which isn't very much if you ask me, you DO NOT know any sort of fighting style and you don't know how to use a katana! And thirdly, there are NO female members in the Shinsengumi because there's some shitty rule stating that women are not permitted or some shit like that. Now, tell me again why you'd want to join such a crappy bunch of people?" Kagura asked

"Jesus Kagura, calm your farm. I just said I've considered, doesn't mean I have concreted my decision. I just... can't not be fascinated with the Shinsengumi and on the bright side, they've got some quite good looking men in there. All it is, is that I believe that if I join then one by one other women who want to fight crime in Edo can join the Shinsengumi. I want to learn fighting styles and I want to be good at the katana and the Shinsengumi is probably the best place to do just that. All I have to do is convince them that I'm worthy of being the first woman to be trained and instated into the Shinsengumi."

"I may be stupid but I know enough that it's going to be harder for you than any other member, being a girl. Trust me, men always underestimate girls and while that gives us the advantage of surprise, more effort is needed to earn their respect. My superhuman strength is the very main factor that earned their respect...although, it's more like a fear of getting beaten to a pulp by me..."

"Ahahhaha, I totally know what you mean. Hmm this is really random but what day is it exactly? Lost track of time that's all."

"Its Tuesday today. Hahah, where have you been, under a rock?"

"Yeah, more like it. So if I do really want to take up this commitment to become one of the Shinsengumi, who do you suggest I approach first?" Lava asked.

I hope she doesn't suggest Okita; it was really awkward last time and he knows everything...

"Hijikata is a total wanker who I despise very much so I suggest you DO not go to him, Okita is one weird guy and even though he means well and all, I know from experience that he'll screw up your mind if you get out of line so going to him is a total no-no, trust me on this one...I guess you'll either have to ask Kondo-san or Yamazaki. When you get to the station, which I'll take you there by the way, the one that looks like a gorilla is Kondo and the person obsessed with badminton is Yamazaki. I'll introduce you to them and you'll see Okita again, you did say you bumped into him right?."

"You mother...", Lava murmured under her breath, "Yeah I did! Anyways, you do that tomorrow, yeah? You free then to take me?"

"Well we got no jobs at the moment so I guess I'll have time. Well you have a good nights sleep. I'm off to my cupboard bed. Girls like me need their beauty sleep you know." She said with a smile and then winked.

Lava laughed. "Yeah you do that!" Lava sat in silence for a minute looking at the scraps on the plates left on the table. Wait...what?

"Oh, and Lava, since you said something on the lines of "earning your board" here, you'll have to do the dishes tonight!" Kagura yelled from her cupboard.

"Ah man...well, these won't wash themselves, will they?" Lava said to herself and one by one got all the plates and cutlery off the table and carried it into the sink, washed them and stashed it away in the cupboards.

"Phew that's all over...god, I need some fresh air." Lava walked across the apartment and went outside onto the balcony. She could see the rustic japanese aesthetic houses all bunched up against one another though the whole town. There had been newly installed lights for the streets and Lava could see passing strangers go by.

"Its so peaceful at night...ah..." She said as all her inner stress had just been released from her. "I just wish all nights would be as tranquil and quiet as this one."

Lava started to hum a tune and then gradually added sweet words to the tune staring into the starry sky above her. "I'm a new soul...I've come to this strange world...hoping I could come and learn a bit bout how to give an' take...But since I came here felt the joy and the fear...finding myself making every possible mistake...la la la la la la..."

Lava hadn't noticed that whilst she was singing, a stranger had stopped walking on the street and watched her sing. "New soul...la la la la,... In this very strange world... Every possible mistake...possible mistake..." Clapping came from the street and Lava stopped and looked at the person on the street that was clapping. She knew the person was familiar and the harder she looked the more she made out of the person, whom was smiling.

"Oh my god," she said to herself, "Its Okita!" Impulsively, she ran inside the apartment, shut the door and started to breathe heavily. "What was he doing out there? And why the HELL am I reacting like this?" She whispered furiously to herself.

A few minutes had gone by and she had calmed herself to the point where she was leaning her back to the door and closed her eyes. "Fark..what am I going to do now?"

Lava took a big breath, slowly opened the door and peeked outside. Okita was nowhere to be seen. "How awkward. I'll have to face him tomorrow and chances are he's gonna question me on why I ran away...that or he'll totally ignore me. AH, my head hurts. This calls for a good night's sleep."

She walked walked to the storage room of the apartment, which fixed and cleaned up and made into a small bedroom, fit enough for her. She closed the door and laid down onto her futon. She placed herself into a sleeping position, with her hands next to her head and looking to the wall infront of her. "Whatever higher power can here me right now, please look out for Ivy and...my dad also. I might forget sometimes how much they really mean to me but as the old saying goes 'You don't know how valueable someone is until they're gone.'" Lava quietly said, sobbing and then gradually went into a deep sleep.


Well well guys, I know crap ending for a chapter but I'm so gonna make it better next time...not much progress on the Lava/Okita part but I'm getting there. I hope you guys are enjoying this fic, and if not just say so :D Reviews are appreciated! JA NE :D

Demoncakes xoxoxoxo