Chapter 4
It has been one week since Umibouzu's news for Kagura. Kagura had been hiding at Yourozuya this whole time, she had been avoiding everyone. Kagura wasn't ready to tell everybody and she most definitely wasn't ready to tell a certain sadist about her engagement. Gintoki and Shinpachi had enough of Kagura's behavior.
"Kagura-chan, seriously, you have to get some fresh air and eventually you have to tell your friends about your...situation," Shinpachi said to a sulking Kagura. "Yes, and your absence from our jobs will be cut out of your paycheck, too bad," Gintoki said behind his desk. "We don't get paid you idiot!" Kagura and Shinpachi yelled in unison.
"Pachi-boy, don't get so worked up or your human might stop working," Kagura said. "I am a human, not glasses!" Shinpachi yelled. "Yare, yare, Shinpachi it's not that you aren't a human, it's just that glasses take over your personality, it's only natural," Gintoki said while hiding a bugger under his desk.
"Yes, and while your glasses are your personality, your human form is kind of your pet that you can drive around the city," Kagura said. "But...!" Shinpachi began. "Yes Paches-kun, every straight glasses of a show needs a human to look smarter, it's only natural," Gintoki said while flicking a bugger to Kagura's hair.
"Yes, Shinpaches, I think..." Kagura began as she was now shoving Gintoki's bugger back in his nose. Glasses, I mean Pachishin, I mean Meganeman was...oh what was his name again. "You too author, are you kidding me?" Glasses yelled loudly. *The Shinpachi program has stopped working*
Meanwhile, Captain Okita was patrolling the city. He had been looking for Kagura for a week now. Every time he visited the Yorozuya shop. Gintoki and Shinpachi said that they were busy with some job and Kagura was unavailable. She hadn't been in the park with Sadaharu, she hadn't visited the riverbank either. It was very abnormal for Kagura.
Is she avoiding me, that would be a really shitty move from her part, I mean I thought she would be picking on me for my...behavior. Sougo thought. Maybe I'll try the Yourozuya shop again, she has to be there sometimes. Sougo decided in his mind.
*zzzhhh* "Sougo, are you slacking off again?" I got a report from Yamazaki that you were out of your assigned patrol area." Hijikata said through a walkie-talkie. "Go die in a corner Hijibaka-san." Sougo said and turned the device off. Oh, Yamazaki, you little snitch, I'll have to come up with a nice punishment for you. Sougo though with a sly smile.
Kagura was playing with her hair, she was thinking about her upcoming week. My last week as Edo's most desired bachelorette. I haven't seen any of my friends in a week. I really miss them and... "Hello! Earth to Kagura!" Gintoki said. Kagura snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Gintoki. "We have a job today, do you want to come with us?"He asked. "Nah, I was thinking that I would go meet my friends," Kagura answered.
"That's nice, do you mean the amazon, the goriwoman, and the s/m stalker?" Gintoki asked with a sigh. "Yup, my friends," Kagura said, slightly amused of Gintoki's accurate descriptions. "Have fun Kagura-chan!" Shinpachi said while the two men and Sadaharu exited the shop. Kagura hopped up and went to change into her white and short cheongsam with red flower embroidment.
Kagura was about to leave, she slid the front door open and jumped at the sudden sight. There was a charming tall man at the door. Kagura's heart skipped a beat, the sadist was the last person she expected to see. Sougo was looking at her quite gently which made Kagura's feet go spaghetti.
"What the hell are you doing here jerk?" Kagura asked while she regained her confident posture. "I...um...came to see you, I have something to tell you," Sougo said to Kagura with a slightly nervous voice, he still was unsure around her. Sougo wasn't ready to take another hit to his ego. Kagura was looking at Sougo's face, which truly was quite handsome and very distracting.
"Can I come in?" Sougo asked politely. No-one is home, oh no no, I can't let him in. Kagura though, while crossing her arms. "Nope, sorry, go somewhere else to slack off, yes? Bye!" Kagura said while sliding the door close, slipping past Sougo and jumping off the balcony.
Again, this shit is unbearable. She acted as a stupid brat again. Sougo thought with anger in his heart. "You are breaking a police officer's heart you monster girl!" Sougo yelled after Kagura. "Yeah, yeah, go die asshole!" Kagura yelled from afar. Sougo was angry, he decided to distract his feelings by finding Yamazaki and giving him some kind of a lesson.
Kagura's heart was pounding again because of the sadist. He is so annoying, popping up at our place without any warning, damn him. Kagura thought. It was a Tuesday afternoon. Kagura knew her friends had a tea party every Tuesday afternoon at Otae's place. Kagura was running to the Shimura residence with full speed.
"Tsukuyo, you need to understand that Gintoki is and always will be mine," Sarutobi said to Tsukuyo and flicked her purple locks. Tsukuyo rolled her eyes as and sighed. "Ladies, ladies, what about chicks before dic-" Otae was saying as somebody burst inside the house.
"Kagura-chan!" All three ladies said together. Kagura was huffing, but she managed to say: "Huff, hello Tsukki, Sa-chan, anego...huff huff, I came here with news..." "Please sit down and have some tea first Kagura-chan," Otae said and made Kagura sit down. Shinpachi had already informed Otae, but she waited for Kagura to come to her when she was ready to talk about it.
After a plate full of snacks made by Sarutobi (not Otae, thank god) and six cups of tea were devoured by Kagura, she went silent. "Is there something you want to tell us Kagura-chan?" Otae asked with a happy smile. Kagura looked at her earth sister and nodded a couple of times.
"Is everything okay Kagura-chan?" Tsukuyo inquired. "Well, I'm getting married, in a few weeks actually," Kagura said neutrally. Tsukuyo and Sarutobi both gasped and kept looking at Kagura. Otae stayed calm and gave Kagura a knowing nod. Oh, Shinpachi must have told her already. Kagura thought.
"WHAT, IN FEW WEEKS? But I was supposed to get married first, with Gintoki of course." Sarutobi cried. "To whom Kagura, why haven't we met him? Or...do we know him already?" Tsukuyo asked while gently touching Kagura's arm. "You don't know him, he is a notable Yato, he even has his own group, so I'm going to become the queen of the Kuro Orochi," Kagura said with a cheerful voice.
"Well, that is surprising, but why haven't you introduced him to us, we need to approve your boyfriend...I mean fianceé," Tsukuyo said. "Umm...How should I put this, I haven't met him myself either," Kagura said while stroking her imaginary beard. "WHAT?!" Tsukuyo and Sarutobi yelled. "It has been arranged a long time ago, that's what Shinpachi told me," Otae said.
Kagura nodded as an answer. "Why haven't you told us earlier, you selfish bitch!" Sarutobi yelled at Otae. A vein started popping on Otae's forehead. "Calm down guys, we should focus on Kagura-chan," Tsukuyo said, she was as caring as ever. "It's okay guys, I'm not 100% happy about this engagement, but it is happening, I know why this arrangement has been made and I'll just have to accept it," Kagura said with a calm voice.
"You are acting like an adult. Kagura-chan, I thought you would be booking a flight to somewhere you couldn't be found," Otae said to Kagura. "Yeah, the gorilla woman is right, I don't think I could be so calm in that situation," Sarutobi said. "It's just there's one problem..." Kagura said while she touched that sensitive part of her neck.
"I'm afraid that I can't fall in love with my future husband because...I..." Kagura said quietly. "Because you are so inexperienced?" "Because you don't know how to cook?" "Because you are so violent and boyish?" Questions were flying at Kagura and she didn't hear who said what.
"What are you talking about? I'm not talking about why he wouldn't love me, it's the complete opposite situation," Kagura said slightly agitated. Kagura's words went to deaf ears, now she was getting tips and advice on how to become the dream wife.
Sarutobi: "You need more experience in bedroom skills. Men love when you just let them do anything they want to you without resistance. Just like Gin-chan is always torturing me with his words of "passion". Just put on a skimpy lingerie and lay on the kitchen table everytime they get home from work. That's the key to a working marriage."
Otae: "A way to a man's heart is by cooking of course. I'll promise you that in a few weeks I'll teach you to be the most versatile and absolute best cook in the whole galaxy. Also, you have to make him buy you Dom Perignon every night from my cabaret bar, that'll make me...umm him very happy. That's the key to a working marriage."
Tsukuyo: "Umm...well, it's not so hard if you just get drunk every time you two are alone. That's the key to a working marriage." Kagura facepalmed herself and thought: Without a doubt, these three must be the worst pieces of advice I could get in Edo. At least they mean well, I hope.
"Okay, thank you for your...advices...I'll keep them in mind. My fianceé arrives to Edo in one week. So this is my last week as a single woman," Kagura said with a slight smile. "We have to celebrate! Strippers! Or maybe just Gintoki, a private show for me. What a great idea Kagura-chan!" Sarutobi screamed. Otae was smiling and Tsukuyo was shaking her head. "Hey Kagura, if you want to do something fun tonight, I could use some night patrol help in Yoshiwara," Tsukuyo said while lighting up her kiseru.
"Oh, I would love that Tsukki!" Kagura said with a genuine smile. "I love to beat up stupid drunkards, I'm in." Kagura said and got up. "Alright, meet me at 9:00 pm at Hinowa's" Tsukuyo said, she thanked for the tea and left. Sarutobi was already gone, her day job as Gintoki's personal stalker needed her attention. Otae smiled for Kagura and said: "Was there any other reason for you to be unsure of your marriage?"
Kagura knew Otae would see right through her lies so she said: "Yes, there is, but I don't want to think about it right now, is that okay Anego?" "Of course it is Kagura-chan, just know that I'll be there for you if you need me," Otae said with her usual smile. That made Kagura happy and she hugged Otae tightly as a thank you, then she left to get ready for her night patrol.
Gintoki, Shinpachi, and Sadaharu had all returned home while Kagura was gone. "Hi guys!" Kagura cheered as she walked inside the Yorozuya. "Somebody is in a good mood," Shinpachi said. Kagura smiled to him as an answer. "Oh, Gin-chan, Sa-chan had some weird stripping plan for you, so keep your eyes open, or closed," Kagura informed. Gintoki massaged his forehead and gave Kagura a nod. "Don't spoil the surprise Kagura!" a voice was heard inside the ceiling.
"I'm going on a night patrol with Tsukki. That will make me think about something other that sadi...aahmm...sa...Sadaharu being all alone here, uh-huh," Kagura said while rubbing the back of her head. Both men were too busy doing their own thing that neither noticed her small slip. I didn't say sadist, no I didn't. Kagura thought.
Kagura had a red (obvious choice) kimono that was quite short, but she didn't mind, she was very comfortable with every clothing that made it easier to kick stuff (and sometimes she was quite oblivious about her sex appeal). Every time Kagura wore a kimono, she put her hair in one big braid, it was fun to whip people with it. After getting her hair done, she was on her way to Yoshiwara.
Tsukuyo, Kagura, and hyakka had a busy night that day. There were a lot of drunk idiots on the move. Kagura was enjoying herself and that made Tsukuyo very happy. At the dawn, Kagura and Tsukuyo were sitting on a rooftop of a tall building.
"Are you going to miss earth?" Tsukuyo asked. Kagura hummed. "Are you going to miss everybody here? Tsukuyo asked again. "Yeah..." Kagura said with a quiet voice. "Hmm...Kagura-chan, are you going to miss someone specific, maybe someone from the Shinsengumi?" Tsukuyo asked further. Kagura's cheeks went all red and she said: "No-no, of course not, I'm not going to miss sadist, WHAT? I didn't say that, you said that, what..?"
Tsukuyo smiled gently and said to a flushed Kagura: "Your secret is safe with me, my lips are sealed," Kagura calmed down and smiled for the leader of hyakka. "Uh, I don't know what are you talking about, but your secret is safe with me too, Tsukki," Kagura said with a wink. Tsukuyo looked at Kagura with a light tint of pink on her cheeks. "I've seen how you look at Gin-chan. It's okay Tsukki, but I have to get going now," Kagura said and she began to jump from roof to roof. "I don't know what you are talking about!" Tsukuyo flustered.
Kagura had so much fun night patrolling, she decided to do it every night. A week passed and it was the night before she would meet her fianceé. Yoshiwara was full of people, even some members of the Shinsengumi were there to do some big arrest. Kagura saw the familiar uniforms everywhere and was secretly hoping that her rival would be there too.
Captain Okita of the Shinsengumi was ordered to be on guard as the arrest was going to happen inside some shady love hotel. He was bored out of his mind, he really didn't like being in Yoshiwara. Then he heard a man and a woman argue in a nearby back alley. Sougo decided to inspect the situation, and that's when things got really interesting.
Kagura was yelling at some tall drunkard that he should go home and stop harassing women. "You don't have enough money and you don't have enough manners. So go home and get some sleep, yes?" Kagura stated. The man was stupid enough to try to kiss Kagura. She froze at the sudden action. Out of nowhere, the man was pushed away from Kagura and he had a katana pointed at his neck.
"Get away from her, there are prettier courtesans available for you," Sougo said while his crimson eyes were glowing under the red lights. The man squeaked weirdly and left running. Sougo put his katana back in its scabbard. "No need to thank me China, I only saved your ass for the millionth time," Sougo said without looking at Kagura.
"That situation was completely under my control, you just were being a glory hog as usual. And what do you mean prettier courtesans, I have mami's supermodel genes and I am gorgeous." Kagura said with pure confidence. Sougo looked at Kagura. She was a sight to be seen, her hair matched her kimono perfectly. That kimono was not for everyone, but the long-legged Kagura pulled it off.
"So are you a prostitute now?" Sougo inquired. Kagura stomped her leg to the ground. "Of course not! But that's not the point," She hissed. Sougo glanced at Kagura and tilted his head slightly. "I meant that my beauty is flawless, any man would be lucky to have me," Kagura bragged. Sougo huffed and said: "Oh, so you were hitting on that man?"
Sougo took a step closer to her. "N-no, I wasn't," Kagura mumbled. As Sougo was getting closer to her. Kagura's mouth was dry again, all it took was his presence. Kagura had to back away from him, only to be stopped by a wall. Sougo smirked and slowly closed their distance. Sougo pressed his right arm on the left side of Kagura's head and leaned into her right ear: "You are way too beautiful to be touched by a man like that."
Kagura's cheeks blushed immediately. Sougo had one question for Kagura that he needed to ask. "Where have you been China? Are you avoiding me?" Sougo asked and shifted to look into her eyes. Being close like that felt intoxicating for both of them. "Huh?" Kagura breathed. She was resisting the urge to tackle him down and kiss his stupid mouth.
"You know China, you are really breaking my heart for not answering my questions." Sougo murmured to her. Kagura glanced into his tempting eyes and swallowed slowly. This was the smart moment to tell him about her engagement, but her brain wasn't working properly.
Kagura grabbed Sougo's jacket and pulled him a little closer. They were looking at each other with half-lidded eyes. Under the red lights, even a hidden yearning can rise up. There was an undeniable attraction that was four years into making. "Sadist..." Kagura whispered. Sougo wanted this feeling to last forever. Having Kagura so close to him, almost close enough to taste.
"China...this time, let me kiss you," Sougo whispered into Kagura's ear. Kagura's breathing got heavier as she heard his demanding plea. Kagura closed her eyes and parted her lips as to say something. Sougo tilted his head, nothing could stop him this time around. Sougo closed his eyes and went for her lips.
"Sadist...uh...I'm engaged." Kagura managed to say right before their lips touched. Sougo's eyes popped open and he backed away. Kagura was looking at him with wide eyes. "You, WHAT?" Sougo asked loudly. "I'm engaged, I just learned about it two weeks ago," Kagura tried to explain.
Sougo turned his back on Kagura, he didn't know what to say. "Sadist?" Kagura called him but didn't get any response. They stood there for a minute in total silence. Kagura began to feel really awkward and she decided to leave. "I'm sorry," Kagura said and ran away.
Sougo heard her steps getting further away. He lost all feeling on his feet and he collapsed on his knees. A small teardrop slid down his cheek onto the ground. Sougo couldn't believe it, first, he thought it was some sick joke, but no, Kagura seemed to be serious. Why is this happening? I've been saying that China is breaking my heart for doing something stupid, but now she really broke it. Fuck.
"Sougo! What are you doing back there?" Hijikata yelled from the street. Sougo got up quickly, wiped his eyes just in case. "I'm taking a shit here, some privacy would be nice." Sougo hissed. "Well, you have to finish later we are done here, let's get going!" Hijikata said. "Yeah, let's go," Sougo said and walked past Hijikata while hiding his hurt eyes behind his bangs. Hijikata saw that something was wrong, but he knew better to leave him alone.