Enjoy!

Angelbott: Well, Saya knew that she shouldn't have done that, but she was just too curious. :P

Ancoxx: Oh no, Tatsuma won't try to creep her out. XD That would make him out of character (Not that I would mind it, though). And you know, that's not a bad idea. XD Maybe I'll add that sometime.

Ikara: Maybe it was you. XD But seriously, Takasugi didn't expect her to look for him when she's clearly six years old. XP Even though Tatsuma rarely gets serious, I love it when he does that. It kind of makes him even more awesome! LOL Wow, I didn't expect that line to be your favorite, but thanks! XD


It was time for me and Yuki to go home because the Salon closed for the day. It was actually kind of busy today. It wasn't when we opened right away, but it did a few hours later.

I saw Tatsuma Sakamoto for the first time since the Joui war. I did miss him, in fact, I like him a little more than Gintoki. Plus, Katsura brought Saya to my work, just for a visit. Though, when more customers were coming in, then they decided to go back home. I had allowed Tatsuma to come over to my house tonight, since I thought that Saya should get to know him, even though it was his idea.

At least he wouldn't try to scare her, like how Takasugi did. Well, at least, that's what Saya told me, but I know for a fact that that's true.

As I came back home, I had already saw Saya, Katsura, and Tatsuma sitting on the couch. When Saya saw me, she gave me a smile, and ran over to hug me around my waist as usual.

"Welcome home, mommy!" She exclaimed.

I gave out a chuckle as I patted her soft hair, replying, "Thank you, Saya."

Saya let go of me, and said to me, "I was able to talk to Tatsuma-San, but it seems that every sentence he finishes, he laughs like a maniac."

Tatsuma laughed as usual, "Oh, I'm not a maniac! I just like to laugh! Ahahaha!"

"That's not supposed to be insulting, laughing man. In fact, your laugh is starting to make me laugh." I could see Saya making a small pout. She added, "Thanks a lot!"

"You're welcome! Ahahaha!" He laughed again.

Saya continued to pout, but clenched her small fists, and exclaimed to him, "That wasn't the polite 'thank you'! That was...um, mommy, what's another kind of 'thank you'?"

"Sarcastic?" I said for her.

She smiled, and nodded her head as she turned to Tatsuma again, "Yes! That was a sarcastic 'thank you'!"

Not surprisingly, he ignored my daughter. Tatsuma looked at Katsura, and said, "Zura, does Kuriko-Chan have any sake here?"

Katsura responded, "It's not Zura. It's Katsura. And no, she doesn't have sake here. In fact, she doesn't want any in this house, since she's trying her best to take care of Saya."

I said to Tatsuma, "He's right, Tatsuma-San. I rarely drink sake, because I don't like to get drunk, since you can never know what you're doing while you're drunk."

Tatsuma landed his hand on the back of his head, and laughed out loud, "I see! Then we should go out for sake! Ahahaha!"

I sighed, "Did you not hear me? I told you, I don't like to get drunk. Besides, Saya's not even allowed to go to a bar, so we can't bring her, or even leave her alone here. That reminds me. Where's Elizabeth-San?"

Katsura answered as Saya looked up to him, "She went to the store to buy more ramen."

"I see. Tatsuma-San, how about you and Katsura play UNO? I'd like to see who would win with you and him playing?" I gave out a chuckle as I crossed my arms.

Tatsuma lowered his sunglasses, and laughed again, "I've heard of the game, but I never got around to play it! Ahahaha!"

"Do you know how to play it, though?"

"Sure I do! In fact, I haven't played it in forever! Ahahaha! Zura, let's play UNO!"

Katsura, once again, corrected, "It's not Zura. It's Katsura. Also, I'm hoping I'll win this time! I've counted the losses I've had for playing UNO, and so far, I've counted 39!"

Saya giggled, "Uncle Katsura, if you lose for the 40th time, then I'll call you a loser, and you can't play UNO for crud!"

"Shut your mouth, young lady!" He sort of flipped out.

Tatsuma and Katsura went to the table, and Katsura pulled out the deck of UNO cards. The two men knelled down as Tatsuma exclaimed while pointing at the cards, "My, my, how colorful! I had forgotten what the UNO cards were like! Ahahaha!"

Saya asked him with a cracked smile, "When was the last time he actually played the game?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he grabbed some of the cards, and held it in front of his face. He stared at the cards as Katsura flipped the first card down. They were playing for a little bit, but as it was Tatsuma's turn, he stared at his own cards, unsure what to do.

My little girl blinked her olive eyes, and walked to Tatsuma, telling him while pointing at one of his cards, "Tatsuma-San, use this card."

He replied, "Oh, thank you, Saya-Chan! I missed that! Ahahaha!"

Katsura made a pout, but said to Saya, "Don't make him cheat!"

She raised a brow, and replied, "How's that even cheating? I didn't look at your cards, plus I helped him a bit since he did miss it."

Tatsuma ruffled her short, dark-brown hair. He exclaimed yet again, "You're such a good girl! Ahahaha!"

Katsura had an anger mark on his cheek, but he kept silent. Soon, when Tatsuma had one card left, he said out loud, "UNO!" Katsura looked like he was getting frustrated, but he was trying his best. It made me wonder how he even counted the games he had lost. But it didn't matter, I guess.

After a few more turns, Tatsuma landed his last card on the pile. Katsura lost once again to the game of UNO. Katsura had another anger mark on this cheek, and it seemed that he was at his breaking point.

He picked up the table, and had it over his head, making the cards fly off the table. Before he was going to throw it, Saya told him with a sweat drop going down her cheek, "Calm down, Uncle Katsura. It's just a game."

After Saya told him that, Katsura closed his eyes, and gave out a sigh. He managed to calm down, so he placed the table back down. He replied to my daughter, "Sorry, it's just that I hate losing to every game of UNO."

"I understand, Uncle Katsura. But I just remember what I said before you two were playing the game! You're a loser, and you can't play UNO for crud! Muahaha!" Saya tried to make an evil laugh, but she wasn't good at that. Not like she wanted to sound evil, I don't think.

Katsura clenched his teeth, but didn't pick up the table again. Instead, he muttered, "That does it, I'm gonna get you, you little teaser!"

With that, he began to chase after Saya. Saya didn't look scared, in fact, she began to laugh as she was running away from him. Saya didn't stop running from him until she went into her room, and closed the door fast. Katsura tried to open the door, but he couldn't open it.

I chuckled, realizing that Saya was holding the door closed. I said to him, "Katsura, you know she's just teasing you. She didn't want to insult you."

"I don't care!" He exclaimed while still trying to open the door. "I must get her!"

"Oh?" I replied while raising a brow. "What're you going to do if you do get my little girl?"

There, he stopped trying to pull the door open. He turned his head around, and said to me, "Not bad, Kuriko. I guess I don't have any idea of what I will do." He finally let go of Saya's door handle.

As soon as Katsura walked back to the couch (And while Tatsuma was picking up the cards that were on the floor), Saya opened her door slowly, but was able to get out once she noticed that Katsura had calmed down.

She still didn't look scared. She kept on smiling at him as she was sitting on the couch as well, next to him. Saya looked up to him, and said, "Sorry about that, Uncle Katsura. But I wanted to tease you a bit."

"I'll forget about it," He replied while crossing his arms. I knew he was going to forgive her, he just didn't want to say it right now.

I chuckled out, "Tatsuma-San, how has your life been going?"

"It's been good!" He answered with a big smile. "I've been living in a ship, though I'll always throw up! Ahahaha!"

I raised a brow, and replied, "Interesting. Does the ship have a name?"

"It's called the Kaientai! I'm the leader of the crew! Ahahaha!" He landed his hand on his curly hair as his sunglasses were going down slightly.

"Hm," Saya muttered. "You're the leader of that crew, yet you puke all the time? Is that what you're saying?"

"Yep! I love ships! Ahahaha!"

"You're barely making any sense," She muttered again.

I said to my little girl, "Don't worry, Saya. I don't really get it either."

Katsura said, "I don't think you have to get it."

Tatsuma continued to laugh. Saya jumped off the couch, and then walked to Tatsuma until she was right beside him. She tugged on his sleeve as he picked up all the UNO cards. Tatsuma blinked his blue eyes, and turned to see Saya as he put the cards back on the table.

Just as he was about to ask what Saya wanted, she said, "Why do you have curly hair? It looks funny."

He answered with a smile, "Because it's my hairstyle. Ahahaha!"

She blinked her olive-colored eyes, and responded, "It looks like it's been tangled all over."

"Well, I have short hair, plus I like it like this, so I don't need to do anything with it! Ahahaha!"

Saya made a small smile, but it looked like she was about to laugh. I heard her muffle, "Darn you, Tatsuma-San. I'm about to laugh!"

He asked a rhetorical question, "Isn't laughing supposed to feel good, though? Ahahaha!"

Now, Saya began to laugh. Only it was a small giggle. Saya said to him, "I don't see why you find everything funny, but I like you, Tatsuma-San."

"Aw, you're so sweet!" He responded, making a goofy looking smile. Without any warning, he wrapped his arms around Saya's neck, and began hugging her. I blinked, looking at Tatsuma hugging my daughter. But I smiled at them, and closed my eyes half-way.

Looks like Saya may enjoy his company.

I was happy that Tatsuma wasn't trying to scare her. He's not like Takasugi, in fact, he's the complete opposite of him.

While Tatsuma was still hugging Saya, she muttered under her breath, "You're funny, laughing man."

"Is that what you're going to call me? Ahahaha!" He asked as he was letting go of her.

Saya nodded. "Yep, since you seem to laugh a lot."

"Ahahaha! Then you can nickname me that!"

I gave out a silent chuckle as I thought, At least my daughter's laughing. But...this is off-topic, but if Takasugi's not leaving Edo yet, should I go look for him again since I don't want him to find my house, where he can find my daughter?

To be honest, I was still scared of Takasugi or any of the Kiheitai members finding my house, where my daughter and I live. If they did find us, then what would I do to still protect Saya? Would I have to hold her tight, and try not to let her get harmed?

I thought again, Maybe I'm making a fool of myself. But then again, Takasugi said that he wouldn't leave Edo yet, so does he want me to find him again? Well, I would accept being hurt, because it's the only way to protect my baby.

This may sound ridiculous, but I can accept Takasugi harming me. I know it sounds like I'm being a masochist, but I have to protect Saya, so that she doesn't get hurt. No matter how many times I say this, I will be the one getting hurt, not my little girl.

Protection is what Saya needs from me. Because I'm her mother. Takasugi is a criminal, who hurts or kills things. I don't think he would kill my daughter, but I refuse to let him scare her.

After giving myself some time to think, I gave out a sigh, and decided, "I'm going out for a bit."

Tatsuma asked, "Where're you going, Kuriko-Chan?"

"I want to get some fresh air," I sort of lied. But my lie didn't get through them.

Katsura questioned, "Are you going to look for Takasugi again?"

I narrowed my eyes as I admitted, "Yes, Katsura."

"You do know that he'll hurt you again."

"I know. I'm no masochist, but I refuse to let him find my house, and find Saya as well. I have to protect her so that she doesn't get scared!"

"Kuriko, how many times have you said that already? Since you've told Saya about him, every day, you always say that you'll protect her."

I asked with a bit of irritation, "Why? Am I being annoying to you just because I have to make sure Saya's safe?"

Katsura didn't respond. I turned my head, and exclaimed with a bit of anger, "Don't you care about her safety?! Well, don't you?!"

My eyes were starting to fill up with water. I saw the shocked look on Katsura's face. I exclaimed again, "Do you think I like to get hurt by Takasugi?!"

He blinked his eyes, and then gave out a sigh. He said, "I'm sorry, Kuriko-Chan. I didn't mean it like that. Yes, I do care about Saya's safety. I want to protect her as well, and I don't want Takasugi to harm or even scare her. If you want to find him, then I won't try to stop you. As you said, you want to protect Saya."

I felt more water in my eyes, but I didn't really release tears. I said to my friend, "I'll make sure I get back. I don't know how long I'll be gone, but make sure Saya goes to bed if she gets tired, just like last time."

"Right."

"Saya, I promise that I will return home."

She furrowed her brows as she said quietly, "Don't get badly hurt by daddy. I don't want to see blood on you when you come back."

Saya doesn't like to see blood on me, so that was understandable. I replied to my daughter just as I was about to leave my house, "I won't."

With that, I turned, and walked out of the houses, putting my sandals on. I released a tear as I closed my eyes.

I said to myself, "I hope Takasugi doesn't cut me up."

I opened them up again, but was now looking for Takasugi again. Wondering if he was in any alley ways again, I looked into every alley way that I was about to pass.

I was about to pass one, but entered the alley way, looking to see if Takasugi was there. He wasn't. I sighed in relief, because I was still terrified. Even though I didn't want to look for Takasugi right now, my body told me to since he said that he wouldn't leave Edo when I exited his ship.

A few more alley ways, and I didn't see him in any one of them. I just knew that he would want me to come to his ship again. I didn't know how I knew, I just did.

I looked through a couple more, and when I couldn't find him, I sighed once again in relief.

It looks like Takasugi doesn't want me to come back to his ship right now.

But I found out that I was wrong. I was about to walk back home, when all of a sudden, I felt cloth cover my mouth. I widened my eyes in shock as I lifted my arms up. Then, a voice said in my ear, "I'm glad you were trying to find me. If I didn't find you in the streets, then I would've looked for your home."

My eyes were widened, and I didn't even have to guess who it was. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Takasugi, who was smirking at me. I felt my arms shaking as he tied the cloth behind my head. Now, my mouth was covered by the cloth, and the cloth stayed there.

Takasugi held both my hands, and what I felt was thin rope. It held my wrists together, and they were behind my back.

I tried to speak, but my mouth could only muffle through the cloth that was still covering my mouth.

He chuckled, "Don't bother trying to talk. I won't understand what you're saying if you try to talk through a piece of cloth."

As sweat was pouring down my face, he took out another piece of cloth. This time, it covered my dark gray eyes. When the cloth covered my eyes, I could only see darkness. I thought, I know I had to look for him, but I'm even more terrified than last time!

Although my wrists were bound together by the rope, Takasugi held them, and ordered me, "Now, you're going to follow my lead. Understand?"

Since I couldn't say anything through the cloth, I only nodded my head.

He chuckled darkly, "Good girl." Takasugi held my wrists tighter, but pushed me, making me walk.

I couldn't talk, and I couldn't see anything. I knew I was heading towards his ship. But...what would he do to me this time?


No, Kuriko's not a masochist. :P Like she said, she's only looking for Takasugi so that Saya doesn't get hurt. Which reminds me, sorry if I'm annoying you by making Kuriko say, "I will protect Saya". It's just that she's a mother, and mothers like her should protect their children from harm, you know what I mean? :P

The next chapter will be another Lemon chapter, but it will be a bit more "extreme" than the last Lemon chapter. So...yeah. That's my only warning that I'll give you. XD And it may be a long chapter once again.

Hope you enjoyed chapter 9! :)