- C'est toujours fête quand des amis se retrouvent -

Like always, the Yorozuya members were all gathered into the agency's main room.

Schinpachi was sitting upright on one of the couches, Kagura was lazily lying on the other and Gintoki was sprawled on his desk chair.

Nothing seemed to be any different from the usual days... or scarcely.
-Well... Um, Gin-san? Asked awkwardly the four-eyed boy.

The silver haired samurai hummed while picking his nose.
-What did you do to Tsukuyo-san?!
-What do you mean, what I did? I did nothing at all.

After throwing off a bogey, he focused his attention back to the boy.
-Well, actually, I did a buncha lot of thin-
-OIII! STOP IT! That's not what I mean!
-It's no use Shinpachi, interrupted the Amanto girl, I told you they had been ***** and ****, she stated while picking her nose in her turn.
-HAH?! And where exactly did you learn these words, HUH?! Scolded the man. Seriously, kids these days...
-Be honest Gin-san, what's happening? For her to... to act this way when we all know she tried to kill you so many times that I lost the counts... You kept some "Aizen kou" and put some into her pipe, right? There's no other possible explanation, right?

Though Gintoki had no intentions to hide it from them, he didn't really want to tell them either...
Everything had happened so fast that he wished he could have more time to see how his new and unexpected relationship would go. The last thing he wanted was for the kids to see the both of them like this. Yet, he was happy Tsukuyo and him were only kissing as it could have been far worse...

Knowing well enough that acting like this in order to avoid the subject wouldn't do any good, he sighed heavily and straightened up his back on his chair. Slowly resting both of his elbows on the desk, he took a deep breath and stared at his two coworkers.

Shinpachi noticed from the man's behavior, that he seemed to have taken an important decision and was just about to tell them.
-Believe it or not, but Tsukuyo and I are actually going out.
-When you say 'going out' yo-
-I mean that we're in a relationship.

The teenager knew that it was no joke. Gin-san's words were true.
-Since when...? He dared to ask softly.
-Well, when Kagura saw us it was just a misunderstanding. But... We're both grown up, you know? Many things happened, one led to another and we... decided to go out. That's it.
-That's it?
-Yep.

Kagura still hadn't said a word and Gintoki knew that the girl might certainly feel a bit uneasy about this new revelation.
-That doesn't change anything. I didn't want to hide it from you guys, but it was clearly way too soon to announce such a thing and I still have a private life, you know.

Then, she broke her silence.
-Gin-chan, you're really in love with Tsukky?
-Kagura-chan, you-
-I am.

An awkward silence fell as Shinpachi didn't know what to say any more after this unexpected momentum of sincerity. Never, did he imagine the eternal kid to answer Kagura's intrusive question with such an earnest reply.

Still, he wasn't sure to know how the girl, who truly loved the samurai as her own father, would react.
-I see.

None of their stare faded and the four-eyes felt very uneasy. However, the Yato's face soon turned into a big smile.
-I'm happy for you, Gin-chan!

Shinpachi relaxed in his seat and let out a heavy sigh of relief. Gintoki smiled in his turn and slightly nodded his head while humming loudly.

Tsukuyo closed the door behind her, only to hear the voice of Hinowa.
-You're back, Seita?

She took off her boots and walked to the room where the wheelchair woman was doing some sewing.
-Tadaima... she said a bit nervous.
-Oh, Tsukuyo! I was so worried about you! What happened?! Where have you been all this time?! Are you alright?!

Just by the sound of her voice, she knew that her 'big sister' was genuinely worried and began to feel bad.
-C-calm down 'kay? I... I was 'bove ground but 'cuz of the typhoon I was stuck up there... She explained. I tried to give y'a call but the lines were out... I'm sorry I make ya feel like this.
-Well, you're safe and sound now and that's all that matters.

The blonde smiled to her own shining sun, thinking about how grateful she was to have someone like her as a family... But Gintoki's words rang in her head.

"You're a grown woman and though you might be very close, as far as I know, she's not your mother."

He was right, but somehow, she felt a lump forming in her throat thinking about 'hiding' the truth to her beloved Hinowa.

She frowned sadly.
-You okay, Tsukuyo?
-Hinowa...

The woman hummed gently in response.
-I'm sorry...
-Oh dear, don't make that face now... It's okay, you know.
-Don't cha wanna know the reason I was on the surface? She asked, shameful.
-I'm sure you have your own reasons for going and you don't have to tell me if you don't want to.
-But-!
-We are both adults here and though I'd love to hear about your worries sometimes, you're free to do as you please.

They both looked at each other and Tsukuyo was touched to hear such kind words of care toward her.
-Just... please, don't do anything dangerous or reckless all by yourself. She added while showing a warm smile.

She smiled back at her, feeling her heart getting lighter.
-You also have friends to count on, you know that, right? If you need help, you should ask Gin-san...

Just hearing his name made her remember all the things that happened between them. To think about this when Hinowa was right in front of her was really embarrassing and she couldn't stop her face from blushing.

Enjoying the reactions of the Shinigami Dayuu when teased about the one and only man able to break the iron walls of her heart, Hinowa hid her mischievous grin behind her usual lighthearted and joyful face.
-I'm sure he would never refuse to give anyone a hand, especially if it's you...

She lowered her eyes, unable to look at her. Quite unexpected as Hinowa would have imagined the blonde bad mouthing the man or claiming that she didn't need any help to begin with...
-Actually, it might even be a really good thing to ask the Yorozuya!

The Hyakka gulped hard, remembering that the kids had seen them in a way she would have never imagined herself...
-Oh yes! Gin-san sure would love to help in that case!

Her heart skipped a beat.
"love"

"I said that YOU are the girl I love"

Remembering his words once again, she flushed red, desperately trying to hide her embarrassment. A pointless thing to do against the 'Sun of Yoshiwara' who knew too well what 'love' was...

The woman in her wheeled chair could easily tell that the behavior of her little sister was different than usual and almost a bit worrying.
-Tsukuyo... please look at me, she asked in a low and sweet voice.

Instead, the blonde turned on her feet. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath in hope to regain her composure.
-Hinowa... I need to tell you somethin'

"Ah. There it is" she thought, "Finally, she figured out her feelings for him and will admit she loves him..."

But she had no idea how wrong she was about the turmoil going through both the heart and the head of the usual strong and proud woman.
-Yesterday, I went 'bove ground to see Gintoki 'cuz I was feelin' real bad for him 'bout this whole story of his master... Knowing he helped us, helped me so many times... Before I coulda realized I was in front of his door.

"And how was Gin-san?" would have asked the brunette if she hadn't heard the faint shaking in her voice...

-I never saw 'im like this, she conceded. I felt so powerless then... My chest hurt so much...
"Aww... That's love for you, my dear"
-I knew inside of me that I couldn' let him alone. Not like this.
"I'm so happy you realized it, though the mood could have been better..."
-Somehow, I got drunk an' had to sleep at his apartment...

Her shoulders slumped.
-I was on my way back the mornin' after but I got caught in that damn rain!

Hinowa sighed mentally.
"Why am I not even surprised? This is so like them... "

Then, she pursued her monolog.
-I hadda run back to him to dry myself an' take shelter, but then came the typhoon!
"If even the skies are playing along, then perhaps it's just fate, after all?"
-And... many things happened but somehow... I... We... Um... we kinda...
"Wait, we?! don't tell me-"
-Well, we're goin' out...
-Oh dear! I'm so happy for you! Exclaimed the brunette, keeping her surprise to herself "I didn't imagine they would face both their feelings and each other, neither Gin-san nor her..."
-R-Really?Asked the blonde, a weight off her chest while facing Hinowa again.
-Tsukuyo... Do you love Gin-san?

She hesitated for a brief instant before to nod her head a little.
-Are you happy being with him?

Again, she nodded, too shy to make a sound.
-Then, that's all that matters to me. All I wish is for you to be happy. Just do whatever your heart is telling you and live without any regrets.
-Hinowa...

~...~

After a light meal, Tsukuyo excused herself saying she needed some rest after all that happened to her. While Seita didn't understand what she meant, Hinowa didn't imagine she was also far from knowing everything...

Gently brushing her blonde hair, she could smell the faint perfume of Gintoki's Tsubakiki shampoo and remembered his own fragrance.
Then, she took a moment to look at her own face in the mirror. Staring at her two scars, everything seemed to be the same, but only on the surface because, in fact, nothing was anymore...

Over the few years they had known each other, she finally admitted to herself that she liked the samurai in a way much beyond than mere friends... She had fallen in love with him.
Somehow, he had managed to erase her long years of resolve so easily that she wondered if she was strong enough to still be called a leader. She never considered herself like a woman, never paying attention to her style or body appeal... until she met him.
And now, she was even in a relationship with that same samurai, the one having made of her a 'real' woman... of course, she couldn't but feel different.

Slowly slipping under the blanket of her futon, she couldn't stop thinking about him. She wasn't in his arms anymore and she might turn away all she wanted, he still wouldn't be here at her sides.
Suddenly, her usual single futon felt strangely too big for her, remembering they had been two sleeping and making love into a similar one...

That night, Gintoki didn't stay up late to watch their usual "4 Ladies 4" serie with Kagura. Yawning every minute, the Yato complained that she couldn't follow her favorite show and ordered him to go to sleep. He didn't protest much and simply crawled into bed.

Aside the TV, it was awfully quiet and... he had to admit, a bit lonely. With the years, he had almost forgotten what it felt like to hug a woman's body against him, covering her whole form with his. It was warm and soothing when, of course, his 'analog stick' -or 'joystick' as he called it- wasn't 'switched on'...

He knew and had met many sorts of people and aliens of all kinds in his life, whether good or bad, but never, had he met a woman like her before.
Light blonde hair with gentle purple eyes that could instantly turn dark and deadly. A pretty face with two big scars as a warning to every person looking at her; she's no mere sexy babe whom anyone can screw with as they wish...
Indeed, she had a trained and agile body with a strong and brave spirit. No one could be more suited to be called the Death God Courtesan than someone like her.

And now, this cold and dangerous half-courtesan half-kunoichi, from her charming name Tsukuyo, was his alone.

~...~

Sun rising on every morning, the days were flowing as they had always been before.

Kagura was assigned to a 'babysitting' job, enjoying the nice weather for a stroll with Sadaharu and many other dogs. On the other hand, Shinpachi was keeping the owner's house, waiting for the girl to return while Gintoki had to change some roof tiles of his apartment that had flown away with the typhoon.
-Gintoki-sama.

Hearing his name, he looked over his shoulder to see the green haired robot-maid.
-What is it Tama?
-I heard your phone ring and took the liberty to answer at your place.
-Oh, well done! So, what was it about?
-A woman called Hinowa-sama told me she wanted to thank you personally for taking care of her dearest friend. Therefore, you are cordially invited to her place in Yoshiwara for dining this evening.
-…
-She also added that since it might finish pretty late, she had already prepared a room for you to sleep in, as she wouldn't like to see you going back home while drunk because of her.

He frowned while imagining the scheme that the courtesan had planned. What awaited him was certainly nothing like a 'thank you' dinner, but more like an examination's trial...

"That foxy lady... Guess Tsukuyo told her about us and she obviously had to stick her nose in..."

He sighed heavily.
-Gintoki-sama?
-Tama, Kagura and Shinpachi shouldn't come here until tomorrow. If, by any chance, I'm not back before they are and they ask about me, can you tell them that I just went out somewhere, earlier in the morning?

It was already a pain in the ass to face the courtesan, he didn't need anyone else to meddle in his private life. Well, certainly the kids would have understood without implying anything suspicious, but he only wished to have some privacy concerning his own personal matters...
-Oh and, please, don't ever mention anything about that call, okay?
-As you wish, Gintoki-sama.
-Thanks...

He just hoped that, when he would come back on the next day, no one would ever dare to interfere between him and Tsukuyo anymore... He really wished for it.

NB:
The 'stick' references are from the Monkey Hunter arc Chap.189-192
'Aizen-Kou' is the incense from the Love Potion arc Chap.492-496

❤ Thank you everyone for your kind support ❤