Denial of Interest
Author's Note: Chapter 7. This chapter was a royal pain in the ass, and I don't really like how it turned out, but I'm putting it up anyway because I can.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gintama. It belongs to Hideaki Sorachi.
Some time after the meeting with Kyubei, Katsura ended up dozing off; he was still tired and weak, and his fears about the mutinous Joui had been laid to rest for the time being. And he could trust Kagura with his back - even though she looked small and harmless, she was a member of the Yato clan, the strongest known Amanto in the galaxy.
In retrospect, Gintoki had chosen a perfect guard for Katsura. Kagura's pale countenance served as a warning for anyone who dared to trespass - except, perhaps, for another Yato, but as far as Katsura knew, there were none among the Joui.
When Katsura awoke from his nap, it was already evening; the lingering storm clouds had dissipated, leaving a spectacular sunset in their wake. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light of the room, he noticed that someone was positioned above him - and the only thing that kept him from panicking was the sea-blue hue of the person's eyes.
"Heya, Zura! You feelin' any better?"
Katsura winced at the loudness of Kagura's voice; even though she'd been assigned as his bodyguard, and even though he trusted her with the job more than just about anyone, she really needed to learn to keep her voice down. "...It's not Zura, it's Katsura. And to answer your question... yes, I feel a little better, but I'm... still in pain."
Kagura moved aside, and Katsura noticed that her action seemed to alleviate the pain a bit; had she been sitting on him? He would have to remind her later that he did not possess the accelerated healing of the Yato, and that it wasn't a good idea to sit on any wounded person, regardless of species... but for the time being, he had a question or two to ask her.
"...May I ask you something, Leader?"
Kagura gave a half-shrug and a brief nod in response. "You can ask me anything, yep. What's on your mind?"
Katsura was silent for a few seconds; then, he glanced over at her. "Did you come here of your own volition? And... is Shinpachi here as well?"
"Shinpachi isn't here, nope." Kagura tilted her head a bit as she spoke. "And, um... Gin wanted to come help you out, but I wouldn't let 'im, uh-huh. He's got other things to deal with, yep."
She paused, and a fond smile crossed her face.
"Besides, I'm the 'leader', right? I can't leave my subordinate behind, nope."
Katsura guessed that this was Kagura's own special way of showing that she cared; in spite of their past conflicts, he had grown close to the Yorozuya, and he suspected that they returned the favor - at least to an extent. If it weren't for his compromised position and physical state, Katsura would've hugged Kagura in response... instead, he settled for returning her smile.
"Thank you for your concern," Katsura mused, as he made an effort to sit up - which just as soon ended in him giving up. "...What, exactly, is Gintoki occupied with? I know that it's rude to ask, but I'm curious."
Kagura made a face. "The tax-robbers asked him to do something. He wouldn't give me any details, nope. Said I shouldn't get involved... the jerk."
"You have your own role, Leader," Katsura stated. "Have faith in Gintoki. He would not have devised such a plan without knowledge of the results." He rolled over on his non-injured side, wincing a bit. "...My apologies, but I'm still tired. May I rest a while longer?"
"Uh-huh." Kagura scooted back over to the wall and propped herself up against it; it wasn't the most comfortable of positions, but it did offer a good vantage point. "Go sleep, Zura."
Katsura decided not to correct her this time; there wasn't much point in doing so, and he lacked the energy to object anyhow. As he drifted off to sleep, he entertained himself with thoughts of an old friend - one that the others most likely didn't remember anymore.
Katsura awoke from a dreamless sleep at the sound of his name being called; he couldn't recognize the voice, but it was smooth and masculine. He sat up in bed, blinked a few times, and rubbed his head as he attempted to gain his bearings; the wound hurt a lot less than it had before he went to sleep, and he wondered if his new guardian had taken care of it while he was asleep.
A snoozing, red-haired figure was propped up against the wall; Katsura guessed that Kagura had fallen asleep some time after he did, a fact which worried him a little. Still, he didn't have much need to worry - the person who had called him stood at the entrance to the room.
It was the stroke of midnight... why was Toujo awake at this time?
"Mr. Katsura." Toujo stepped over to Katsura's bedside and sat down, beckoning his young master over from the shadows. "There are a few things I'd like to address, if you do not mind."
Katsura watched Kyubei as she walked over to seat herself opposite Toujo; for a moment, the Joui leader wondered if this was some kind of meeting. He didn't concern himself with that thought for long, however... if it was a meeting, he had to pay attention.
"First and foremost, you are staying here against the will of the young master's family." Toujo's expression turned serious as he spoke, and a distinct frown crossed his face. "As I answer directly to her, I will aid you for the time being... however, you must do all you can to keep your presence a secret."
Katsura gave a small nod of acknowledgment; that did explain the odd choice of time for this meeting. "...Is it because I am a Joui? Sir Kyubei does not seem interested in her family's ties to the government..."
"It is, in part, because of that," Toujo replied. "However, it is also because the young master's father does not approve of her so lightly... 'bringing a man home', as he put it. She... did not ask him for permission first, it seems."
Kyubei stiffened up a bit at these words, and Katsura considered reaching a hand over to console her - but now was not the time, and if he did something like that, he would likely end up thrown through the window. Instead, he just gave another nod, mulling over Toujo's words in his head.
Katsura hadn't gotten to know Kyubei's father well, but what he did know indicated that this was normal behavior.
"...Then, I will have to keep my presence concealed as best I can." Katsura breathed a small sigh; in his condition, that was easier said than done. "Is there anything else you would like to speak with me about, Mr. Toujo?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact." Toujo gestured at Kyubei. "Young master, if you will."
Kyubei hummed her acknowledgment, then lowered her gaze. "The Shinsengumi have found the man responsible for attacking you, Katsura. He has been taken into custody... but we still don't know anything about the faction he came from."
"...They arrested my attacker?" Katsura raised an eyebrow at this; why would the Shinsengumi go after someone who had attacked him? "May I ask, has anyone else been targeted by this person? And... do you know their identity?"
"It seems that the assassin has also targeted the Shinsengumi's commander," Kyubei replied, tone even. "As for the question of identity... Hijikata didn't give me a name. I don't think they know who he is yet."
"Or perhaps you are simply placing too much faith in him," Katsura pointed out with a frown; even if he didn't approve of the exchanges between Kyubei and Hijikata, at least he understood the Shinsengumi's motives to a small extent. "It's strange enough that the vice-commander is giving you this information in the first place... though I suppose that he wouldn't mind helping me if our goals coincide..."
"...That's what he said, too." Kyubei looked away, faltering a bit; she scooted away from Katsura, a distinct frown on her face. "There's no official truce... but Hijikata is keeping his tracks well-hidden. He said that there should only be two other men in the Shinsengumi that are aware of our information exchanges, and they are his subordinate and the commander himself..."
Katsura leaned forward and placed a palm on his forehead, sighing. "That's terribly unprofessional of him... well, I won't complain. Have you received word regarding the other Joui that attacked me before?"
Kyubei was silent for a moment as she processed the question; then, she shook her head and scowled. "...No. The leader of that group doesn't bend easily, not even to the Demonic Vice-Commander."
"I see." Katsura glanced over at Kyubei with a frown; he hadn't been to the Yagyu estate more than once or twice before, and there was a very important question on his mind. "...Sir Kyubei, can you lead me to the restroom?"
"Wha-" Kyubei jumped back, startled by Katsura's sudden and random inquiry; she shot a brief glance at Toujo, who didn't seem to be paying much attention. "Um... can you take care of him? I... need to go to sleep..."
Toujo lifted his head just as Kyubei stood up and darted out of the room; with a small sigh, he stood and offered a hand to Katsura. "...My apologies, Mr. Katsura. I'm not quite sure why, but she's rather flighty around you."
Katsura accepted Toujo's hand and, with some difficulty, pulled himself to his feet; then, he winced and clutched his side with his free hand as he fought to keep himself steady. "...I wonder... why. Perhaps... I should... ask her..."
Author's Notes: I plan to wrap up the Joui mutiny plot within the next chapter or so. Of course, most of it will probably be off-screen, since I'm trying to shift focus here.
Also, don't be surprised if updates slow down a LOT. Suffice it to say I have a new... interest. I'll fight tooth and nail to get this thing finished though.
