A/N: Yes, one more week of school and I'm done! Also this story is set on a Victorian time meaning western stuff. Not to mention, sorry for my grammar errors…something is going on with my hands…
/\Replies/\
sereneskydragonslayer: XD Uh-huh, I'm such a sadistic writer. Yes, indeed.
OkitadotKagura: Don't worry, I like how you kept requesting me such awesome ideas. Means a lot to me ;w; And your fantasy is about to come true~
Rinfantasy: Aw thanks~!
BloodyCamellia: So I was not the only one huhu.
Warning: This chapter will be all sad and gloomy. So I warn you about the sadness of this story as well as the violence and swears in this.
Requested by: OkitadotKagura
Please follow, favorite, and review~!
Disclaimer: I don't own Gintama
0-0-0
"There are times when you shouldn't believe in prophecies"
"Are you sure that you're leaving?," a noblewoman with long straight black hair and hazel eyes asked unsure. She wore a turquoise dress that's made out of fine silk and reached her feet and same colored heels. She wasn't just any ordinary noblewoman but a princess of a great kingdom. Her name is Soyo Tokugawa, the younger sister of King Shige Shige. She gave the vermillion haired man in front of her a glare as she waited for his answer.
"Absolutely, Your Highness. Even if I have to lose my title and quit…I'll do what it takes to take her back," the man with a braided vermillion hair and cerulean eyes said in a serious face, his usual smiling face not present. He wore what knights usually wear, but he was a high ranked knight. His name is Kamui, a now former general of a great army.
"That's good because if it weren't for you, this wouldn't have happened to her. She's my very first true and only best friend. And if anything even worse happened to her," princess Soyo paused and took out something from her purse which revealed to be a vine whip. "I will have your head Kamui-san," she threatened with a darkened expression which didn't scare Kamui in the slightest. She held the vine whip close to her face enough for Kamui to see that she was deadly serious about this.
"Of course…Soyo-hime. Now I have to go," Kamui said before covering himself with a large brown cloak that he usually wear during those times he infiltrated certain places he had to get information from. He approached his white horse named Sadaharu and got on him. Before he was about to leave, Soyo called him making him stop and turn to her. "Before you go, I have these two to accompany you," she said as she pointed at two familiar faces; a silver haired man with dead fish eyes, Gintoki and a dark haired man with eyeglasses, Shinpachi.
"They will help you in your journey seeing that these men are not only capable of doing so but they are also the friends of my dear friend. I believe in them. Now off you three go," Soyo declaimed with full trust before walking away to do what she must do.
"H-Hello Kamui-san…," Shinpachi awkwardly greeted but it didn't help at all. He got on his horse and sighed sadly.
"…"
"Seems like he's deaf or something," Gintoki remarked as he got on his own horse and started picking his nose. He may look like he didn't care but he definitely cares about her and hearing what happened to her, he became devastated.
Before they can start their journey, another came to interrupt them.
"Yeah…you're definitely right," a familiar voice from behind. And Kamui never failed to see three daggers flew at him but he caught them with his right hand in ease. And thank goodness he had this skills or he would have been dead by now. They turned to see a heavily injured man with brown hair and red eyes that was filled with anger, it was obviously directed at Kamui.
"Souichirou/Okita-san?!," both of Kamui's companions said in shock seeing him out here in the gates when he was supposed to rest in his place. Kamui just merely nodded at the angry man who wanted to kill him. Sougo Okita, the captain of the second army; the Shinsengumi. Also known as his sister's rival-…no, her best friend. Kamui can clearly see it, the angry look on his face and his red eyes which were usually blank were flaming in agony and anger. Kamui has confirmed it, this guy loves her unknowingly.
She's so lucky to have a love life before him…
"Y-You bastard! You're China's older brother but you failed at being one...you despicable bastard! Everything is all your fault," Sougo clearly stated as he took out another handful of daggers. But due to his weak state, he fell to his knees immediately. Despite knowing it was futile for him to continue, he still came. So stubbornly strong…
"What you said is…true. I may look like someone who people look up to and depended on but I failed…at being her brother," Kamui paused and smiled sadly with eyes closed. Shinpachi and even Gintoki decided to be silent for this moment, Kamui then continued. "I envy you Okita-san…you have an older sister who raised you well like an older sibling should be. And my sister, Kagura is stuck with a poor of an excuse older brother like me…there are times when I wish Kagura got an older sibling like Mitsuba-san instead….that's why as her older brother, I'm going to make things right this time," Kamui promised to himself as he said those words to Sougo who seemed to be calm enough to listen to him.
"I'd…*cough* like to see you try bastard…," Sougo said coughing due to the fact he wasn't fully healed enough to talk let alone walk all the way here.
"Taichou!," another came as he ran towards the currently sick Sougo who was now half unconscious. He helped him get up and bowed to them apologetically. "Sorry about that all of you. Ka…Kagura-san is a very important person to him. She was the only one beside his sister who managed to help him mend his broken heart. And now that he's also losing her is very painful for him," he exclaimed and the three nodded, taking note to this new information about Sougo. "If he loses Kagura-san…his world will…fall apart."
"I see. No worries…I'll do anything to get Kagura back," Kamui said to the said knight. His voice full of hope and belief. "Let's go…Shinpachi, Gin-san."
And the three left to a journey to find a certain woman named Kagura.
8-8-8
13 year old Kamui sat on a chair, folding clothes by himself. Ever since his parents were gone, he was forced to do chores as the eldest child which he didn't mind and his sister would give him a hand if she's not busy with school. His life was peaceful but not to his sister.
Kamui heard the main door making a sound and saw a small figure entering. It was his 9 year old younger sister, Kagura who entered. She closed the door quietly and was about to walk to her room when Kamui called her.
"Kagura-chan. Welcome home," he greeted happily with a bright smile that could rival the sun.
"I-I'm going to…m-my room," she stuttered which rarely happens. Kamui stopped what he was doing and turned to look at her with a worried face. He saw Kagura looked like she wants to avoid him for some reason because she started quickening her pace to her destination. But once again, Kamui called her but this time filled with worry. "Kagura? Come over here," he said with a serious tone. It was more of a command than a request. Kagura stopped in her tracks but refused to go to him for some reason and this increased his worry.
"B-But-"
"Come. Over. Me. Now…," he ordered with a more intimidating tone making Kagura shiver slightly and went to him slowly. Kamui blinked at the sight of Kagura in shock. She had so many bruises and cuts all over from head to toe despite how she tries to hide it. The folded cloth on his lap fell as he kneeled in front of her and examined her carefully with a worried face.
"I-It's nothing…ouch…really," she said cracking into a fake smile which he despises. After examining her, he placed his hands on her cheeks so she wouldn't look away when he's about to ask her a simple question. "This is something Kagura. It's very obvious! Who…who did this to you? Please tell me," he pleaded to her to tell him but instead of answering his question, she dodged it and asked him a question as well.
"Kamui-nii. Am…I-I a mon-monster?," she asked with teary cerulean eyes. This caught Kamui off guard, he didn't expect her to ask this kind of question. "M-Monster? What are you talking about?," he knew that it has something to do with her prophecy but he didn't expect people to easily believe and do horrible things to her because of it.
"The elders…the children my age…and the civilians…they're s-saying nasty things a…bout me but I-I…mostly h-heard th-them call…ing me a-a monster," she explained weakly and suddenly burst into tears due to the pain she has to put up with every day. Kamui frowned at this, he didn't like seeing her sad and had pretty much figured, that because of her said fate was also the reason why she's covered in cuts and bruises like now. He can't help but feel sorry for her and the fact that he's not always there for her is just depressing.
"You're…not a monster," he answered trying to sound calm for her sake. Kagura was surprised with his answer and tilted her head in confusion. "I-I'm not a monster?," she asked with disbelief.
"You're a unique person Kagura…people just envies that you're not only different but you're strong, kind, and a pretty girl. Don't ever forget that," he answered happily as he hugged her firmly trying to hide his shameful face from her.
"R-Really? Thank you onii-chan! You're always there to cheer me up. You're the best big brother I ever have~!," she happily exclaimed with her cute voice as she forgot about what the people told about her. She hugged him back, as strong as she can then she rested her head on his neck for comfort.
"Anything for my precious imouto~," he happily said back but his face was the opposite, he had a heartbreaking look on his face. And a tear fell from his eye slowly. Seeing her in this state was painful for him and even if he can heal her physical wounds but he can never heal her emotional wounds, even if Kagura tries to hide it. He can see it clearly.
He lives a normal life but his sister lives a sad life. Why must fate be unfair to her?
"Agh!," Kamui opened his eyes immediately. He had another dream about the past again. He panted tiredly as if he ran throughout the night which he didn't. Kamui slowly got up and turned to see his companions sleeping soundly on their sleeping bags. He frowned at them, feeling a bit envy because they can sleep for as long as they can until duty calls them unlike him who has to put up with his dreams or rather nightmares.
"Maybe I should take watch…," Kamui said to himself seeing that he has nothing to do but stay awake with no one guarding. It's the least thing he can do for not helping them during this day. He got up from his sleeping bag and crawled out of their tent. It was still dark, he wondered how long he slept but he decided not to answer it. He sat on a log and started his activity.
"…"
An hour has passed and yet Kamui was still awake and alive as ever. He got bored sitting around and looking around his surroundings so he got up and started patrolling. As he did so, his mind drifted to his dream. Remembering all those times when his sister, Kagura would always feel pain and yet smile it away was something he didn't want to remember. And it kept going back to him frequently, probably because his conscience was reminding him, how he failed Kagura and made a terrible mistake of letting it happen.
Maybe…we should leave the village and change our identities. That way, we can start over and have a normal life, Kamui thought happily thinking it was a good idea.
And so his mind drifted to his thoughts again…
After 3 hours later, noises coming from the bushes were heard, Kamui became alert and slowly approached it. He held on to his sword, just in case if it's an enemy ready to attack him. When he moved the bushes to check who was creating the sound, he was surprised to see an injured white bunny staring at him in fear. He smiled in relief and knelt down. He patted the bunny's head gently with his left hand as he continued to smile. He did this to calm the bunny down which worked. "It's okay little one…I'm not gonna hurt you," he said gently and held the bunny in one arm. Its wound wasn't that deep and stopping the bleeding will help. He tore a piece of his sleeve and wrapped it around the injured bunny's leg extra careful and gently. It then nuzzled its head against his chest making him giggle quietly.
"You're quite the easily open up person aren't you? Just like Kagura-chan…," he quietly said with a sigh, remembering his sister in so many ways. It seemed to notice Kamui's sadness and it licked his cheek in comfort. Kamui laughed at the bunny's adorable actions.
"Thank you. Don't worry, I'll try to find your family so you have to stay with me for now okay?," Kamui said and the bunny seemed to have understand what he meant. He can't help but feel a little glad for having company.
"Hm…are you hungry? I'll get some food," Kamui said as he put the bunny down to the ground and shortly went inside the tent to find his bag. After finding some carrots that the bunny can eat, he went out and was surprised to see it jumping to who knows where. Knowing that its injuries were not fully healed, he decided to follow it. He knew that he can trust his companions to fight for themselves if danger comes so he had nothing to worry.
"Hey! Did you find your family?," Kamui asked and the bunny didn't stop. He face palmed himself for asking, he was a fool for asking a living being who can't communicate like a human should. Maybe he was just relief to find some company who might understand him without the need of words and treated it like a human being. Yep, he's definitely going nuts.
Slowly he saw it disappearing in his sight so he quicken his speed. It may be an animal but he did gave his word to it so he can't afford to break it, that's his motto now. As Kamui was following it, he smelled an odd yet somehow familiar scent in the air. It rinks of rusty iron. Could it be? It's…blood? No way…
Then the next thing he saw was a dagger flying and it hit the poor white bunny with ease. It flew backwards a little and its body went limp as the dagger pierced deeper into its frail body, blood came out like a fountain. Kamui stopped in his tacks and stared in shock. It can't be…he fell to his knees and slowly crawled towards it. He patted its head with a shaky hand and his other hand held his chest where his heart is located. It hurts…
Poor thing, it didn't deserve to die…
"Oh? Who could this be? A new…VICTIM?," a familiar voice asked in a sickening cheerful tone. Kamui froze in place, he knew that voice very well. Even if he couldn't see her face, he knew that it was really her. He turned slowly and saw Kagura giving him a large creepy grin and her eyes were wide as saucers but her pupils were so small. Her originally clean white dress was now covered in a dark crimson, blood. Not only her clothes were covered in blood but her hair, half of her hands and face as well. It was a scary sight to see Kagura like this. Kamui couldn't believe it, it's been just a few days and yet…she totally changed into a different person.
K-Kagura!, Kamui said in his head. He opened his mouth to try to say something but it seems like no words were coming out. Fear and guilt was overwhelming him and his senses.
"I guess…I'll place you on top of my collection~!," Kagura said in the same tone and her smile never flattered as she pointed at the pile of corpses that she gathered with her finger. Kamui's eyes widen even more at the sight of it. It was unbelievable…and just plain cruel. No…just no.
This isn't real! This…isn't Kagura! I must be dreaming hahah!, Kamui thought denying what was really happening to him. He pinched his arm hardly to the point of making it bleed but he was still here. No, this is reality. Kagura tilted her head in confusion to what Kamui was doing but slowly approached him in a rather strange way of walking which is like a zombie.
So it really happened. T-The prophecy came true…if-if it weren't for them as well then this wouldn't have happened! Damn them all!, Kamui thought as his hands turned to fists. He was angry at the people who did this to Kagura but also he was angry at himself for being a terrible brother who couldn't do anything for their sister. He then looked up and watched as Kagura made her way to him.
"Your hair, your skin, your eyes, your face…they're so pretty! You'll make a wonderful doll~," Kagura chanted happily as she took out another bloody dagger to kill Kamui with it. Kagura stood in front of him still smiling and slowly went to touch his face gently. "Your skin…is soft! So soft like pillow…I want it…I want it…I want it…," Kagura chanted even louder still holding his face and Kamui cringed at the feeling of her bloody hand on his face. It scared the hell out of him and the smell was so strong, he felt that he was going to puke any moment. Then Kagura let go of him leaving blood stain in Kamui's face.
"K-Kagura…please stop this. This isn't you…," Kamui said weakly as he wiped off the blood with his sleeves.
"Kagura?," Kagura asked to herself as she tilted to her head in confusion thinking for a moment. "Somehow…it sounds familiar!," this even shocked Kamui more than enough. S-She can't remember who she is? So pitiful…
"Kagura! That's your name idiot!," he said as he found the strength to stand up. Kagura scratched her head still confused but she gripped the dagger tighter. "Well…I don't really know~ But IT DOESN'T MATTER HAHAHA!," Kagura laughed sinisterly as she charged at Kamui but Kamui who has full experience as a fighter, held her hand with ease but made sure not to hurt her.
"Kagura! Don't you remember who you are?! Y-…You're a beautiful girl with a kind heart and a strong soul! Did that…shatter all of a sudden?! Please Kagura! Snap out of it. Please do it for the people who you love and who loves you back! I want the Kagura I know to come back!," Kamui yelled as he kept dodging her kicks and punches. It surprised him that she wasn't fighting like an average person. She's fighting like an experienced fighter! Where did she learn such things?! And worse, she wasn't listening to his words as if she became deaf or his words didn't reach her.
"I don't know what you're talking about~!," she chanted happily as she kept dancing and attacking him with her bloody dagger. If this keeps up, he's doom for sure. He's hungry and lacks sleep if hungriness and tiredness overcomes him, Kagura will have the chance to stab him and who knows what that thing has, there might be poison in it.
"Kagura…you poor thing. I…I'm so sorry for everything! I did what I shouldn't have done, I left you to become a knight and I was not there to cheer you up nor comfort you when you needed someone. I'm sorry for always letting the opportunity to talk to you pass, I'm so sorry for letting them hurt you more than I could ever think. I'm so..sorry that I couldn't save you from the false accuse they were saying against you. I'm so sorry for making you endure them and keeping them to yourself for so long until you can't handle it anymore. I'm so sorry for failing as your brother. So please…Kagura just give me one more chance!"
"Eh…," Kagura stopped what she was doing and looked at him in shock. Her hands started shaking and her head was twitching. What was going on with her? Kamui wanted to come closer and comfort her but she immediately fell to her knees and started kicking anything within her reach. "Ah! Leave me alone! I didn't do anything! Get away!," she screamed as she held her head with her hands still trembling. Kamui gasped in horror, he only made it worse.
"K-Kagura? Hey…are you-"
"Who are you?! Get away from me bastard!," she screamed in fear. Kamui couldn't believe it with his eyes. Kagura had already gone too deep to the world of insanity. Was it too late for her? No…
"Kagura! It's me your brother!"
"I don't know who you are! Get away from me!," she screamed once more then she charged at him again and managed to stab him in the shoulder due to the fact he was off guard. Kamui winced as it pierced through him and he fell on the ground. Kamui felt the dagger being pulled out of him. It had a strong chemical in it but he still managed to stand up. He saw Kagura walking away from him for some reason. Did she loose the desire to kill?
"Kagura! Kagura!," Kamui called out to her as he chased after her despite his wound.
"…," Kagura turned to him and gave him a sad smile. "Kamui-nii…I'm so sorry. I already became a…a monster," she said as tears started falling from her eyes. "Please…for your sake. Get away from me, I-I don't want to hurt you."
"Kagura! It's not your fault! Please come with me and we'll find a way to cure you!"
"No…it's already too late for me. This is goodbye Kamui-nii…thank you for everything," she said sadly and vanished in a blink of an eye. Kamui tried to search for her but due to his wound, his time in doing so was limited and fainted.
"-ui…amui…Kamui-san!"
"Huh?," Kamui woke up to see a worried Shinpachi and a pissed Gintoki. He slowly sat up to see that he was in his room. So they went back, huh?
"I…failed?"
"We sadly can't catch up to Kagura and lost her because you got injured dumbass…," Gintoki hissed as he turned around and kick the poor closet. And the room shook due to the force Gintoki applied.
"Don't say such things Gin-san! We…can still find her!"
"And do you think she wouldn't know and move from forests to forests? Think again Shinpachi…"
"Gin-san is right, Shinpachi. I'm the one at fault…I shouldn't have let such a rare opportunity escape and yet I did…but..," he paused as he thought of the things that happened.
"I won't give up on her…"
TBC
