As Promised... A fic... Took some time. My duty is eating away at my life...
(C) Don't own Gintama.
To the Love she was denied
By death she was declined
...
For she was immortal
...
Long ago, in a barren land where the red skies were toxic and the dry ground of poison. There was a single soul, who need not water nor food to survive. For years she wandered the wasteland alone, until she felt a tear run through her cheeks. She was lonely, so she decided she needed company. The single soul breathe in and out then came clean air and blue skies. She swept her feet on the ground and grass grew. With a wave of her hands trees sprouted out and bore fruit. She twirled her body around and danced in a fluid motion then came a flowing stream. The land which once was dead was now a playground for the living.
Still the single soul was lonely. The flowers did not move and could not dance or play with her, so she created animals. Creatures of different forms; some are soft and some are tough. Some live on land, some on water and others on trees. Some where big while others were small. For a moment, she was happy. They danced with her and played with her. But they could not talk to her, again she was alone. She took out a flower and laid it on the ground, she whispered into it and out blossomed a person. She repeated the process until there was a whole group of them. She was happy.
The people learned to make fire and cook their own food, to build houses out of wood, to grow vegetation on soil, to read and to write. She taught them how to dance, to play music and to sing. In time children were born and they grew up. The others grow old and rejoined the soil. It was sad when they go but they always leave some behind. And the soul was never alone.
Time passed and they're village grew bigger and bigger. Her friends gone and left behind are their sons and daughter who came to love and worship her. They called her many names, an angel, a fairy and a god. An undying figure who helped and guided them through tough times. Her name was Kagura.
The undying soul Kagura- was a beauty unrivaled. Her long flowing vermilion hair could be spotted a mile away. Her ocean blue eyes could gleam brighter than the sun and moon combined. Her smooth white skin was softer than the clouds and more fragrant than any flower that ever existed.
The people respected her greatly but she remains on friendly terms. Smiling when people greeted her and playing with the children when doing nothing. Just like now.
"Kagura sama! Pass the ball to me! "
"Here goes! "
"No don't! He isn't even in our team. "
"What? Argh, you tricked me! "
"Hahaha" The children laughed. Kagura loved playing with them the most because they act as they want. Children are blunt and honest Creatures, they say what they want and do what they want regardless of status.
...
She teaches them to be hard workers.
"Sougo! You lazy bum! How many times do I have to tell you these potatoes don't pick themselves up? "
"I'm practically a vegetable, yet I carry my own weight!"
...
She teaches them to be smart.
"Hey look it's old man madao"
"Huh? Isn't his name Hasegawa? "
"China it's a word play, I guess wisdom doesn't come with age"
...
She teaches them to be respectful.
"Hey China how come you have these huge mountains on your chest? "
"ACK! Don't touch those!"
...
And sometimes she smacked it into them.
The children grow up and they enter school, there they learn basics on life and work. The curriculum was made by the elders and the teachers once were also students.
"Hey China, let's go play." a little flaxen headed boy tugged at her skirt.
"You know, the elders are going to get mad at you for skipping school. " she said flicking a finger at his forehead. He really was a handful. As much as a hardworking the big sister was, the little brother was the very opposite. Sougo hated his daily duties and would rather lounge around all day.
"Ehhh, they will be if you tell on me. Come on, I found a really cool place by the river!" Insisting, the boy dragged the older woman to the said river. At the side was a cave, dark and cold.
"Sougo what is this? "
"It's my grandmother's house, it's a cave what else does it look like?"
"You rude kid, it's dangerous don't go inside! "
The disobedient boy, not listening one bit to her rant ran as fast as he can towards the cave- only to run back out for dear life.
"China! It really is my grandmother's house! " The running boy came out followed by a huge bore twice his size.
"Eeeehhh? "
"Don't 'Ehhh' me, do something! " she dashed and grabbed the boy landing on her bottom. The raging boar running straight into a tree and knocked unconscious.
"Are you alright? " she asked looking at the boy cradled in her arms.
"Yeah, ahh! You're hurt!" there was a long wound that ran from her ulnar bone.
"It's okay, see?" The boy looked again. Her injured arm was slowly healing, the skin stitching itself back together, all that remains was the blood spilled.
"Woah! Awesome!"
"Well I hope now you learned you're lesson?"
"Never insult you're grandmother? "
...
The sun was being friendly today as the villagers gathered in the rice field. It was another bountiful harvest thanks to Kagura who made sure the plants were well conditioned. She saw a familiar face.
"Ohhhh? Finally earning our keep are we? " the boy holding a sickle stood up and looked at her dead in the face.
"Shut up China, it was either this or help out at grandma's"
"You really are pretty harsh on the old timer you know?"
"Shut up, go back to you're own country. "
"This is my country. If you're going to spend your vacation here, come with me for a bit. "
Leaving the fields would definitely make the elders angry, since this was China the 'almighty Goddess of their lands' he figured he'd be safe. He could just blame her if they insisted he was skipping work.
"So what are we doing here?" he stared at the huge apple tree.
"I wanted to make pies" she grinned.
"I'm not climbing that thing. "
"Ugh, are you a teenager or a baby? Fine, I'll climb up. Just, catch the apples for me. " Kagura started hugging the tree like a koala, slow and steady wins the race. Her arms reaching for the branches, drawing closer to the fruits.
"You couldn't have worn a shorter skirt? " the boy said squinting his eyes.
"Idiot, don't look! Here catch! "
"Who would look under an old lady's skirt? " he said concentrating on both catching the falling apples and China's white underwear .
After collecting apples, they headed to Mitsuba— the villages best baker and Sougo's sister. They then distributed it to the people who were then grateful for the kind action. Darkness consumed the sky as the moon went out to play. Mitsuba excused herself for a moment to go out with her lover, and Kagura volunteered to babysit.
"Alright Sougo time for bed!"
"Am I a child?" he claimed to bed nonetheless. "You know Mitsuba stays with me till I fall asleep" that was a lie.
"Are you a child? Fine whatever, you really are unmanageable"
"Come, Mitsuba goes to the bed. " he patted the space beside him. That was also a lie.
"Ugh... Am I supposed to hug and hum you a lullaby as well? "
"Wow you got it right, you really are the all-knowing goddess" that was again a lie. Both of it.
She hugged him near and closed her eyes. She sang a tune she thought up in her head. Sougo closed his eyes as well, nuzzling into her bosom, his heart beating faster making it hard to fall asleep. She smelled like strawberry's today even though they were cooking apple pie.
...
The whole village was bustling, people were out on the Street holding baskets of all kind of goods. Men were building stalls and women hanging decorations. Tomorrow is the celebration of the first birth, the day when the single soul whispered life into a flower and out came man. It was very special to her and symbolic to the people. In her honor, they hold a festival every year where they dedicate the day to doing what she loved most, mainly eating and Merry making.
"Good day Kagura sama! " a young woman with light brown hair accompanied by a Raven haired man greeted.
"Hello Mitsuba! Wow, your belly is getting rounder and rounder everyday!" it was a compliment
"Thank you, by way Sougo is coming back for the festival! Studying at a far away town is fine but he should come home more often. "
"A-ha! It's pretty quite without him Huh? "
"Well, we'd best be off"
So the brat was coming back. It's been a couple of years since she's seen him. When he first said he'd be going away to study Kagura could only laugh at the ridiculous thought. The youth dedicating himself to medicine was ludicrous. But when he sat there motionless Kagura had to quickly change her opinion about him. He was a good boy, he loved his family and he constantly played with her—something other children quickly grew out of. He was smart, clever and observant. He can finish task with minimal effort by using his wits to trick other people into doing it for him. She swore one day he'd be part of the council so when he said he would study medicine Kagura was in for quite a shock.
She went to loiter in her favorite place, it was in the river near the cave Sougo had found when he was a kid. The boar had been long gone leaving the tall shades of trees to their own company. She sat at the root of one of the trees and hummed a lullaby she made for a selfish little boy.
"Has anyone ever told you that you have a horrible singing voice? " a voice from up the tree said.
"No because I have a great Voice!"
"Yeah it's as melodic as a chimpanzee in the afternoon" the man chuckled as he made his descent.
"Rude as always are we? Are you never going to grow up? " she stood up to meet the young man only to regret it a second later. He was falling at a faster speed than expected landing on top of her. Smooth Sougo, real smooth.
Regardless of what she previously said, the boy definitely grew up— physically that is. His shoulders became broad, his face a little more angular than round. Gone were the big adorable bug eyes, replaced with seriousness and maturity. His hands were bigger, arms caging her petite figure. His long legs travelled down, his knees settling at her sides.
"If I were you I'd watch what exits my mouth, in case you haven't noticed I'm bigger than you—" he said pinning her arms to the ground above her head with one hand. "—I'm stronger than you" his other hand traveled to her face. She was as smooth as he remembered, as beautiful from when the first time he ever said hello. Her eyes were looking straight at him, hoping, not as the boy she once played with, but as the man he had returned to. His finger glided to her pink lips mesmerizingly.
Their connected lips lingered onto each other, Sougo opening his mouth and asking for entrance. But was surprised when he felt a sudden jolt in his body, a low groan escaping his lips. His lower half felt tingly as Kagura's leg rubbed at his center, his knees weakening.
"Ahaha, look at you, you're as red as a tomato just from this. You're a hundred years too early to be pulling tricks on me."
He sighed, rolling on his back as a sign of defeat. "Geez, way to ruin the mood. "
"Sorry, sorry it's good to have you back. Although I'm a bit hesitant on what you've been learning out there. "
"Argh, just forget that. Go back to your own country already."
"But you know, I appreciate you staying by my side, not growing up, not leaving me alone."
"Stop being depressing, you choose to act dramatic now? "
"You're right, let's go meet everyone! "
Arriving at the village. "Wow, you sure are a god who loves festivities." he monotones. In truth he missed this side of the village as well. Although other villages had festivals, none however celebrated for this particular reason. Other villages revered patrons of wisdom and leadership, others of seasons, some occasions dedicated to god's of volcanoes and blizzards. But only Kagura would choose to celebrate the birth of someone else on her special day.
"Haaaaah, just admit how amazing I am! "
"You know, other gods are celebrated for who they are, not what their boredom resulted into."
"Then go back to those gods! Stupid!" only Kagura would act immature and still be respected.
Music played, the people singing and dancing around. Kagura pulling the young man into the crowd, laughing at how awkward he was dancing. Food was eaten and wine drank, minds were spinning and hands roaming, kisses irresistible, touches irreversible, words irrevocable, feelings irrepressible, mistakes irrecusable, problems irresolvable. Okita Sougo's alcohol driven confessions and Kagura's duty bound tears tangoed in the night.
The next day Sougo left to continue his study.
Seasons passed and her tears dried, yet a feeling of loneliness arise. His drunken kisses lingering on her lips. Sougo was special, ever since she first laid her eyes on him. At his birth a feeling of joy overcame her, another midget to terrorize. At his childhood pride rose, oh! how ecstatic she was to find such a youth with the same sadistic tendencies as her, with the same carefree nature as her. At his adolescence— security, no matter how time passed she knew the boy would not leave her, because he promised so. At the young adult, was a need— a need for closeness, for proximity, for intimacy. Yet she felt the most pain when he gazed into her eyes and said those four lettered words. Because she knew it would not, could not and should not ever be.
For she was immortal
And he an aging flesh
Yet when she heard his voice from below the tree she sat on, her eyes widened and her ears perked up. She missed him, and so did he.
"You couldn't have worn a shorter skirt? "
Everything was back to the way it was, they were talking, bickering, kicking, laughing with each other again. Sougo had grown older than her physical appearance and is now taller. She had doubts on whether he truly did finish medical school or went to the mountains and trained in the guidance of Gintoki, deity of swords.
His fine flaxen hair has grown long, rivaling her own. His eyes piercing gazes at her every time she'd accidentally glance at him. His voice a low husky tone that sent shivers to her every fiber, her every being.
Days passing by and he became the local doctor, using herbal medicines to cure the common cold. Matured as he was he still found ways to bring out a squeak from Kagura, whether it be through pranks, simple brushing of skin on skin, or embarrassing stories from back in the days. They would spend their time together, just like before.
Although working for the village as a healer, he did not neglect his studies. He kept trying to find new ways to cure and prevent illness.
"If only I could get a hold of this plant... " He stared at a book, a picture of wild herbs decorating its pages.
"Hmm, I know where it is! Come, I'll show you!"
It was by far one of his favorite hobby to get dragged around by the goddess to who knows where. But when they ended up in a lake at the bottom of the river, Kagura stripping her clothes off, he had the need to change it from 'hobby' to a 'daily basis' thing.
"Woah China! There is a perfect place and time of day for that!" not that he minded
"Pervert, I have an under-robe." she rose an eyebrow. Kagura started walking to the middle of the lake and signaled the man to follow suit.
They dove deep into the bottom into an underground cave. Kagura may have been immortal but Sougo was a creature that needed air. Sensing his distress and dire need to resurface, she connected their mouths to transfer her breath of life, something Sougo was very happy to oblige. They came up to a concave area, the ceiling sparkling purple and blue.
"Are those?" he started
"Ahh, but that's not what were came for. "
"But still..." the thought of being rich through gem trade was an idea he was forced to scrap.
"Here we are! The purple flower! "
"It's an herb... "
"Purple whatevers!"
"Now which one is unmanageable?"
Kagura found this cave when she felt into the lake, after Sougo left. Without any resistance, she let the waters drag her under. Waking up, the magnificent sight of stars twinkling a bluish purple hue surprised her. She spent days in the cave, just enjoying the beauty of it. Eventually though, she had to return to the village. The elders were in panic at were their goddess could be. A Village without a protector was subjected to pillage and theft.
As Kagura told her adventures, eyes wandered elsewhere. Sougo managed to start a fire and decided to dry his clothes, hanging them at his makeshift clothes hanger. His muscles rippled at the back and his front, clearly this guy didn't just study medicine alone. His wet hair albeit tied up was sticking to him, droplets of water moving tantalizingly slow on his body. She suddenly had the urge to stand up and touch his stomach, how could one manage to feel so tough yet smooth? Her hands glided to his lower garment which he aided in its removal. Her thin under-robe, see-through due to its dampness and the flickering light from the fire, was easily discarded by two left hands.
They did not speak. Afraid of saying the wrong words. They did not think, afraid their senses will return to them causing both to stop. They only loved, in fear of getting separated one last time.
Out came the two from the lake, smiles evident on their faces. Sougo helped her up guiding her through the large rocks.
"So this is where you were..."
"El..ders..." Both of them shock. The beauty torn away from her lover. The man dragged by the arms, two angry faces on each of his sides.
"Take them away!" Kagura cried loudly, her wails earsplitting and her eyes watering. Sougo could only scream her name, thrashing at the hold of the two men. They were taken to different places, Kagura at the councils court and Sougo at their local cell. The goddess wore a white ling sleeved robe that extended to the floor, a white veil covering her face. The accused man chained to the walls, a grim look on his face.
"Kagura sama, you know you can't be together. You are an undying soul, here forever. He is a flower that wilts in time. This village needs you, you cannot just abandon them." an elder spoke. Otose was the most understanding of all the council members. It pained her to see Kagura strapped to a chair like a criminal. If it was wrong to love then she should have been punished the moment she breathe life. It was unfair how the village kept her chained to a duty she never really asked for. It was just a cruel hand played onto her by fate. "I apologize for this, but my decision is outweighed by the others. The man will be hanged tomorrow at sun rise."
Kagura could only give a mortified gasp. This wasn't what she wanted, why was he being punished for her selfishness, her eyes closed as tears fell again. She called out for help, she begged the skies and the heaven.
Please, oh please.
"Kagura, I pity you. I warned you, making man was dangerous. They are double natured, we are either good or bad, cruel or forgiving. But they are wistful Creatures and can be both when necessary." a voice came. An ethereal figure descending from above.
"Please Soyo! I don't want him to die. "
"What would you give in return?" the fairy of exchange asked. Soyo was a friend, depending on which wishes she granted, she could be considered as either good or bad. She was no different, her morals nonexistent. She warned Kagura that creating new life was troublesome. Others agreed, some disagreed. The Vote's were casted and Kagura breathe life. "He is mortal, eventually he will die. So why stop it now?"
"He will die! But not like this!"
Soyo waved her hands and Kagura was freed. "He will not die today, he will not bleed, he will not hurt. I can assure you."
The vermilion beauty ran out the quarters, into the hall and out of the court. Guards were all over the place, and it took her everything to not get caught. She reached the cellar and sighed relief to find the man breathing slowly.
"Sougo! Wake up! " she slapped him awake
"China? How?"
"No time for that, we need to get you out. " he was chained, any if the council members could possess the key to unlock his shackles. The was no time to looks for it, sunrise neared. Kagura went out, when she came back she was dragging an axe behind her.
"Woah, are you saying I'd rather die by your hands!?"
"Stupid! I'm going to chop off—"
"— my head!?"
"No! The shackles!" she lifted the axe and aimed. She counted to three readying herself do strike a blow, Sougo advising her to keep her eyes open instead of closing them. With the guidance of the goddess of trade, Kagura struck the metal and freed the man.
After a brief celebration of having his limbs intact, they headed out. Careful to avoid the patrols, they hid behind a Bush to avoid sight. Now, Kagura was an almighty being. She created vegetation and livestock but insects were not her design. The god of tricks finding their situation enjoyable, let a little arachnid string it's web to descend in front of Kagura's face. Her scream muffled by Sougo's hands.
"Did you hear something?" the guards shuffled
Kagura flinged the insect away in anger "Curse you Kamui!"
"Over there!" the guards chased them. Sougo screaming idiot and Kagura apologizing. They went left only to find more guards that added to their chase. They went right just to run into the elders who went out to see what the commotion was about.
"You're trapped. How many times must we tell you, it cannot be!" She of all people understood what being immortal meant. It meant seeing all your loved ones die, seeing their children live just to die as well. Seeing them struggle, pained and hurt. It meant never reaching eternal peace and slumber. Never understanding what 'living life to the fullest' could ever mean.
Kagura took out a blade from her robe and pointed to the elders. She's gone crazy, was she threatening the council or was she finally going to kill off her lover? Sougo at least hoped it was the former.
"I-AM-NO-LONGER-BOUNDED-BY-THIS-VILLAGE!" she cut her own left arm. Blood trickling down, never ending.
"What will you give in return?"
"I'll give you my life."
"What about this village? It will rot without a Guardian."
"Won't you take it from me? For old times sake."
"Very well, he will not die today, he will not bleed, he will not hurt. I can assure you."
Otose smiled, clapped her hands and dismissed the crowd "Alright everyone! Let's go home for today! We've got to make preparations to welcome our new deity!"
...
"So you gave up your immortality. You couldn't have asked to make me immortal instead?"
"And what would that make you? The god of torture and punishment? Get real. "
And so for the remainder of her life, the single soul lived with her husband in a simple cabin located beside the river. People from all around knowing them as the great healers. The single soul, no longer alone, was at last—
—happy.
(A/N) not sure about this, the ending was pretty plain? but let me know what you think by reviewing
