Enjoy! wow it doesn't feel like it but I didn't update for a long time; same old, same old…I have no excuse…how about…a giraffe ate my laptop and I only got it back from it recently sadly the giraffe didn't make it…why a giraffe? I don't know…
Chapter 10
I Want To Know
"Will you do it for me?" Takada asked Gintoki, they sat across from each other at the yorozuya, Gintoki was crossing his arms and just stared at him, he didn't know why this man was asking him for favors.
"What do you want me to do again?" Gintoki asked
"Riko is sick, I picked up some medicine for her, but I don't have time to make it back to give it to her, so I beg to you as her friend to give it to her," he said placing the round bottle on the table
"…fine," he agrees
"Thank you," Takada said getting up, "I appreciate this." He said, "Besides I'm sure she'll be happy to see a friend come by."
"I'm sure she will," Gintoki said and Takada left, Gintoki looked at the bottle on the table then sighed in annoyance, he wasn't going to lie to himself, although he didn't want to do it, deep down he was happy to go see her. He picked up the bottle, left the yorozuya, went atop his moped and drove to her house.
Riko was currently curled up inside a sheet on her couch; she was going through the toughest part of pregnancy: morning sickness. It finally eased up, but she still wasn't feeling good. Her doorbell had rung and she quickly got up to answer it.
"Takeshi's back already?" she asked herself and opened her door, and lifted her eyebrow to who she saw
"Not who you wanted to see?" Gintoki asked
"Not who I expected to see," she said, "What are you doing here?" she asked
"Your boyfriend asked me to drop this off," he said holding up the bottle of medicine, "he said you were sick, though you don't look it"
"He overreacted," she said taking the bottle from him, "is that it?"
"Yeah," he said turning to leave
"Wait," she said, "come in"
"Why?"
"There is something I want to ask you."
"What?"
"What was with yesterday?" she asked and he smirked to himself
"What are you talking about?"
"You're smirking; you know exactly what I'm talking about," she said, "you know, I don't like how close you two are getting"
"Why's that?"
"Are you trying to toy with me?" she asked, "I don't know why, but I feel like you're out to get me," she said, "maybe it's because of what Tina said"
"You shouldn't listen to that girl"
"I know, but…just forget about it"
"What did she say?" he asked and she hesitated to answer.
"…That guys want what they can't have," she said "basically meaning…that…you want me, because you can't get me, meaning you being jealous, that I'm with Takeshi"
"Flattering yourself, Riko?"
"Shut up," she said "I wouldn't be agreeing with her if you didn't act like the way you did yesterday when you wanted to tell Takeshi what happened between us," she said, "I really don't know what you were trying to accomplish."
"You want my honest opinion on that?"
"Yes," she said and Gin walked closer to her and she just furrowed her eyebrows at him, "…what?" she said stepping back
"I don't think you're really into that guy," he said
"What?"
"You're not over me, are you?" he said and she scoffed
"Gin, stop joking around," she said, "seriously?"
"What's the real reason you don't want him knowing about us"
"Because there was no 'us' we were nothing, we started off as just nothing, and it ended as just nothing," she said, "it was just a stupid mistake, I should have never let myself fall for you, but I did," she said "but, believe me, I am so over you, now"
"I still don't believe you"
"Why are you acting this way?" she asked, "I don't need to prove anything to you" she said crossing her arms, "I got what you came here for, now you could go"
"You know, I don't think anything could be the same between us," he said and she looked at him in surprise
"…what?"
"Seeing you two together pisses me off," he said and Riko became a bit shocked
"So, then what? You don't want to be friends with me anymore" she said "I thought we went over this, that when I came back we could act normal around each other"
"We can't"
"I don't get why, I'm willing to do it, why aren't you?" she asked but didn't get an answer, "You don't like him"
"I never said that"
"You don't need to," she said "if that's what you want, then fine, were no longer friends" she said "I can't have a friend that is so against my boyfriend, if that's what's bothers you so much, then I can't have it"
"I never said it was him, I have nothing against him"
"Then what is it?" she asked "am I the problem?"
What do you want me to say?"
"I don't know Gin, I just don't know," she said, "but I know for sure, it can never be like what we had before, I told you that before I left, and I didn't expect you to be like this," she said, "I mean you're the one that rejected me, so this is a bit surprising" she sad then lowered her head to the ground "If you think we can't be friends then it's understandable that we can't" she said "I just wish we could, but it can't be one-sided"
"You're going to cry, fine I get, okay? Were friends" he panicked, he did not want to see her cry
"No were not, you just said it, you know we can't, so don't lie to yourself, and don't lie to me," she said, "and I'm not crying!"
"I'm sorry"
"Do you…want more than that? Are you suddenly realizing you like me?"
"No"
"Then I don't get it" she said turning her body away from him "just leave"
"…goodbye" she said and he left and she locked the door behind him. She exhaled deeply and slid herself to sit on the ground, "…what am I doing?" she asked herself
~X~
Days has passed since that day and Riko was a bit regretful about it, she felt like she might have pushed him away, but it wasn't completely her fault, in reality she loved being around Gintoki, she would always have fun with him, and in all honesty really wanted to be friends with him, but to her it didn't seem possible.
Riko was home alone again, due to her sickness and Tina had come to see her, she rested on her couch as Tina talks about something she lost track of.
"Riko, are you listening to me?"
"Oh, sorry"
"You've been really out of it, is something wrong?"
"No, I'm fine," she said
"How about we go out," she said, "it's probably best to get some fresh air"
"…I don't know"
"Come on, we could go out to eat"
"…fine, I guess It wouldn't hurt"
"Great," Tina said and once Riko got ready they went out.
"You know Riko, you've been looking a bit down lately; do you want to talk about it?"
"Not really"
"Now that I think about it, you had something important to tell me on the day you came back, is that why?"
"Nope"
"Come on you can tell me."
"I don't think I can, after all a certain someone found out I was dating a certain someone, because a certain someone told that certain someone"
"I'm sorry about that."
"It doesn't matter."
"But you should tell me why you're so upset," she said, "It's best to let it out so you can feel better," she said
"Nothing's wrong," Riko said
"Oh really," Tina said then smirked, "I saw Gintoki-san the other day."
"Good for you"
"He mentioned you"
"He did?"
"Oh, now you're interested?"
"Ugh, whatever I don't care"
"I'm just fooling around," she said, "I mention you and he completely blew me off"
"Oh yeah?" she said not sounding interested
"What happened between you two, and is that why you're upset," she asked and Riko sighed
"…fine," she said, "the thing is, I haven't spoken to Gin for a while, and it is kind of bugging me"
"Oh?" she said grinning, "I knew it"
"Please don't ship, I'm being serious"
"Sorry"
"We had a fight"
"Seriously, after all my effort," she said, "what's wrong with you two?"
"Well a few days ago, I talked to him, and after that conversation I just haven't seen him, nor do I want to go out of my way to see him…I think, we just could have never been friends…but I don't want to cut him out of my life," she said, "I do think of him as a friend"
"What did you say to him? Everything seemed fine with you two before"
"I didn't say much, it's just that you were right Tina," she said, "he only wanted one thing from me; and he said it pissed him off seeing me with Takeshi"
"…of course it does, he likes you"
"If that's really it, why doesn't he just tell me?" she said, "he has nothing to lose"
"Maybe because he's scared," she said
"…of what?"
"I don't know," she said
"…besides there something else that's bothering me"
"What?"
"It's about what I wanted to tell you"
"What is it?"
"…Tina I'm so scared, I don't know who to talk to about this"
"About what, Riko, is it bad?"
"I don't know, it could be," she said, "I wish it wasn't, I'm was just so careless"
"Riko, tell me"
"Ok, don't freak out"
"How do I put this…there's a bun…in the oven"
"What? What oven?"
"My oven"
"I don't get it"
"Tina, I'm pregnant," she and Tina gasped
"You got knocked up?"
"No…well yeah, I guess; it wasn't planned"
"With your manager?"
"Well…."
"Riko, that's amazing, even if it wasn't planned, aren't you happy"
"When I found out I was, I was a bit happy, because I am having a baby, even if it's a bit earlier than I expected, but then…"
"What?"
"The subject of who the father was came to mind, and ruined everything"
"…you don't know who the father is?"
"I'm 50 percent sure on who the father is"
"50…wait half? Who?" she said then gasped, "…oh"
"Yeah"
"Riko, it's going to be okay, either way is great, right?"
"No," she said, "one way is horrible and the other is great"
"I'm guessing Gintoki-san is the horrible one"
"you guessed right," she said,"…Gin, he's…he's, I can't even explain it, I don't think he's up for having a kid; I mean he is a kid"
"You're younger than him, Riko, you seem like the kid"
"I mean he asks like one most of the time"
"So, what he's never mature"
"I said most of the time…he can be okay, I guess"
"Why are you so against him?"
"Be- well, I'm with Takeshi okay, why wouldn't I be against him?"
"But it's not your fault Riko"
"I know that"
"You think your manager would be mad?"
"…I have no idea how he would react"
"Since you're with your manager you should just tell him the news, and that you don't know, it's not like you cheated on him, right"
"I don't know if he'd be mad at me or not," she said, "that's why I want to find out first"
"And if it belongs to Gintoki-san?"
"I guess I'll have to tell him"
"Well were just going to have to find out right?"
"How, after I give birth? I don't want to wait that long, if I give birth and my child is cursed with permed silver hair, I'll pass out"
"…there's another way of finding out Riko, before you give birth"
"How?"
"How far along are you?"
"Two months"
"Riko, just leave this all to me," Tina said grinning
"Oh god"
XxX
"…that was horrible" Riko said walking out of the hospital
"It's okay, now you'll know, who your baby daddy is"
"…how positive is this again"
"Almost 100 percent positive"
"Okay…"
"You should get the results in about two weeks," she said, "when you get them call me" she said
"Sure," she sighed then turned away, "ugh, what am I doing?" she asked herself then looked up towards the sky, "what am I supposed to do if it belongs to him?" she said to herself, "okay don't think about that right now Riko, all you need to do is relax, god may be on your side this time" she said reassuring herself "…hopefully" she said then began to walk home, "Speaking of Gin, I wonder how he's doing…" she said, "I shouldn't even care…"
"Ah-ah-choo!"
"Are you sick, don't make me catch it"
"No, some hot chick must be admiring me," Gintoki said
"No girl would talk about you," Kagura said, "except for maybe Riko-chan"
"Speaking of her, I haven't seen her around lately, did you guys break up?" otose asked
"Shut up, were not going out," he shouted, "besides she's with her manager"
"Takada-san?" Shinpachi said
"So he beat you to it, didn't I tell she wouldn't be single forever?" otose said
"Gin-chan sure is hopeless," Kagura said, and then the heard laughing coming from the ceiling, and they all look up
"I see, so that's how it turned out," the voice said, and Sa-chan popped out of the ceiling, "well it's her lost, Gin-san" she said landing on the ground
"Sa-chan-san?"
"hmph, she doesn't know what she's missing" she said
"Quiet down," Gintoki said knocking her out with his wooden sword
"…that was a brief appearance from her," otose said
"But Gin-san, is everything okay with her, we haven't seen her at all since she came back," Shinpachi asked
"I'm sure she's fine," he said, "she was…you know one of those things…you don't need to worry about her anymore"
"One of those things? I don't understand"
"Um you know, those things"
"You're being vague"
"I guess virgins wouldn't understand"
"Who are you calling a virgin? Girls prefer virgins!"
"Not true, the want a experienced man"
"You calling yourself experienced?"
"Of course, I have had many experience," he said laughing
"Liar, you haven't done it in ages," he said, "ah…except Riko-san…is that why she doesn't want to see you again?"
"Bastard, don't look down on me patsuan"
"So that's how it went down," otose said and both Shinpachi and Gin look at her, "idiot"
"Huh?" he said then stood up, "well, whatever," he said walking towards the door
"Gin-san, where are you going?"
"Tired"
"Lazy ass" Shinpachi said
"Whatever," he said and slid the door close behind him, what he wanted was to just curl up on his couch and take a nap.
"Oh Gintoki-san, what a surprise" Gintoki heard a voice, an annoying voice he looked down at her and sighed in annoyance, seeing Riko's annoying friend
"Are you stalking me?" he asked
"no," she said, "I did hear what happened though, you and my dear friend had a little squat, she's very upset about by the way, she just wants to get along with you, I swear you'd think you two are a couple or something," she said "be a man and make up with her, if you don't you'll never have a chance"
"This again?"
"come on!" she said, "you know she may be with him now, but you never know how things might turn out, I have nothing against him, 'cause he seems like a nice guy, but what I want is Riko's happiness," she said, "and I think that's with you" she said "I don't know what goes through your head, but you make her happy, isn't that all that matters?" she said, "I know she's already with someone, so saying this might seem pointless, but things change," she said, "I hope I got some things through to you, I'll see you around"
"Annoying"
-x-
Weeks later
"Here it is" Riko said holding up an envelope
"I'm nervous for you," she said, "but open it"
"You know, maybe I shouldn't open it"
"Riko you came this far aren't you curious," she said, "I know I am"
"I am curious but what if it's something bad"
"And what's bad?"
"…I don't even know anymore," she said then sighed, "alright, here I go" she said shutting her eyes, she slowly pulled the letter out of the envelope then open it, she opened one eye, and remained silent
"What does it say?"
"Um, its" she began "takeshi the father"
"Aww"
"Don't be like that, please"
"I'm only fooling around," she said, "…you should tell Gintoki-san"
"He doesn't need to know"
"Come on Riko," she said, "Riko, it's better to do it now; because once you do you can go and tell your manager"
"Alright, I'll do it"
"Do you have feelings for him, is that why you can't do it?"
"No, I just haven't spoken to him for a while"
"I spoke with him awhile back"
"You did?"
"Yeah"
"I bet everything is normal with him"
"I don't know, I'm pretty sure he's missing you," she said, "It's going to be okay"
"You didn't tell him did you?"
"Of course not; that's not my place"
"Uh-huh"
"I know my boundaries," she said, "go speak to him, I think it'd be good for you two anyways, to talk to him I mean"
"This is good news, right?"
"That's all up to you Riko, now go" she said getting up to leave
"…alright"
-x-
Riko stood in front of Otose's place she was so hesitant, she understood why she had to tell him, but she was still nervous, "I shouldn't feel nervous so why am I?" she said then slid the door open, she saw him sitting there but he didn't notice her yet, she walked up to him and sat next to him, "Gin?" she called out and he looked over at her
"What are you doing here?"
"I came here to talk to you"
"What happened to never talking again?"
"Well after this I'll continue that," she said, "um…I just wanted to tell you something, that you should know," she said, "Tina said its best that you did, and I agree with her" she said and he just looked confused
"Gin, I don't know how to say this"
"What?"
"Gin, I'm pregnant," she said and his face froze, she gave a front and turned away from him, "you could calm down it's not yours"
"You came to tell me that you were having someone else's baby"
"So why did you bother telling me?"
"I had to…the fact that I thought that you were the father just meant you might think the same thing…I didn't want you finding out and thinking it was you"
"Well that was very kind of you"
"…don't tell me you're upset"
"Nope I'm very relieved," he said, "the last thing I want right now, is a kid"
"…that's what I thought"
"…well I bet you're quite relieved that it isn't"
"I'm not going to say I was relieved but…"
"If it was mines I'd just ruin your perfect relationship, wouldn't I?"
"Don't be like that," she said, "you wouldn't ruin it," she said "sure, it'd be complicated, but I know If Takeshi means what he says when he tells me he loves me, we'd still be together"
"And if I did ruin it?"
"Let's not think about that," she said, "come on, we knew that it was bound to probably happen since we never actually wore protection"
"I know"
"But, I just ended up working out for both of us, I guess"
"Yeah," he said, "did you tell him?"
"Not yet; but I will now," she said and silenced filled the room
"Gin-"
"This is good, right?" he said, "I wouldn't be much of a father," he said "sorry I almost ruined your relationship," he said
"What are you talking about, it's not your fault…besides Gin, and I think you would be a good father"
"I know you were happy when you found out it wasn't mines"
"Actually I was filled with such mixed feelings," she said, "in the beginning, yes I was completely against you, but I don't know what I was feeling when I read that you weren't the father," she said, "If it was yours I just didn't know how you would react, I wouldn't want to ruin your life," she said, "Well, that's all I came here to say," she said "I guess, I'll be going now; I have to tell Takeshi the big news" she said getting up from the seat "Gin?"
"…yeah"
"I just want things to be good between us," she said, "You know, before, it was just stupid," she said, "you were kidding, right?"
"What?"
"About…you know, saying that seeing us together pissed you off"
"Yeah it was a joke"
"I guess I just took it the wrong way, because I was being so paranoid about you, and what Tina said"
"Yeah, you did"
"…can we completely start over?" she said, "You know, from the beginning?"
"How are we going to do that?"
"Well, I'll start, my name is Riko Sato, and it's nice to meet you"
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, now introduce yourself"
"You know my name"
"Come on, just do it"
"My name is Gintoki Sakata," he said and she smiled
"Gintoki, that's a weird name," she smiled, "I'll call you Gin, okay?"
"That's fine," he said
"Can we be friends, Gin?"
"Yeah, I'd like that"
"Great," she said the put out her hand, "Until we meet again?" she said and Gintoki looked at her hand, then held it within his
"Yeah," he said as he shook her hand, both of them pause started down at their hands in silence, she quickly pulled away then turned away from him
"…then I'll be going now," she said then began to walk
"Goodbye, Riko" he said and she turned to him "I know you'll be a great mother"
"Thank you" she said
-x-
She quickly went home she was bit excited that she could finally tell Takada her big news that has been bugging her the moment she found out about it. She smiled to herself then walked into her house
"Riko, where were you?"
"I just went out for a bit" he said taking off her shoes and walked up to him
"I thought you were sick"
"No, I was fine today"
"Today?" she said, "Oh, I see, is it was it that time of the month"
"No," she said, "Actually I won't be getting that for at least 6 more months"
"What?"
"Takeshi there's something I need to tell you"
"…are you pregnant?"
"Okay, I guess I don't need to tell you"
"Seriously?"
"Yes, seriously"
"If this is a joke-"
"It's not," she said, "believe me; that's not something I would joke about"
"Wow"
"Well, is that it?" she said, "Are you not happy about it?"
"That's…its surprising"
"Well yes, it is, I was surprised," she said he remained silent, "what's wrong"
"…nothing"
"…you don't want to have a kid with me"
"That's not it"
"Then what is it?"
"Riko, if you're pregnant that's a lot to feed in," he said, "I mean, how can that be?"
"What do you mean, how could that be? Exactly how you think it should be," she said "…I thought you would've been happy about this"
"…Riko"
"I know it's a lot to feed in, but…" she began "I don't know I just thought this would go differently"
"How could you get yourself pregnant?"
"I-it's…not my fault," she said
"…Riko…are you…keeping it," he said shocking her
"What?" she said, "of course I am"
"Riko, it's just…I'm not ready for a child"
"I can't believe you just asked me that"
"Riko"
"It's okay, I get it"
"Wait"
"No, I understand, really," she said "…just leave me alone"
"Riko"
"Leave," she shouted to him but he didn't move
"Riko," he said trying to come closer and comfort her, but she pulled away from him
"Fine, if you won't leave, I will," she said then stormed out of her own home, she ran as quickly as she possibly could until she was far enough, she didn't know what she was thinking when she left her own home, but she knew he'd either come out and look for her, or still be there, and she didn't want to go find out.
She didn't know where she should go; she walked aimlessly down the street, and decided to go one place she didn't think he would look. She walked until she got there- to her parents grave "...I never thought I'd come here," she said walking into the cemetery, she halted due to the fact that she saw a figure standing there, over her mother's grave, "someone there…that's odd…I wonder who?" she said to herself, "um excuse me," she said out to them the person looked at her and quickly ran away, "hey wait, that's my…" she said but they were long gone, she looked toward her mom's grave and saw flowers on them, "must be someone you know mom…can't imagine who," she said then sat between her mother and father's grave, "I guess I should tell you this, or maybe you already know, I don't really know how it works when your dead and all," she said, "I'm going to be having my first child, you might be happy that it's with takeshi because you always like him…but…let's just say he acted like an idiot when I told him," she said then buried her face in her knees, "…I'm confused" she said before slowly dozing off
"Riko?" she said frightening her, she jumped and was ready to run away to whoever it was until she saw who it was.
"Gin…what are you?" she said then rubbed her eyes, "am I dreaming"
"No, your boyfriends looking for you," he said, "I bumped into him, and he said you went missing"
"…oh," she said, "So you came looking for me?"
"No," he said then sat next to her, "I told myself if you weren't here, I'd just go home"
"…How did you know that I would be here?"
"Lucky guess" he said
"That's a lie," she said, "You went searching for me didn't you?"
"No," he said blushing, and she smile
"You don't need to be embarrassed," she said, "It just shows how caring you are"
"What happened?"
"Nothing"
"Nothing, huh" he glanced at her, and he noticed her eyes were red, he sighed inwardly; he knew she had to have been crying.
"…yeah," she said and silence filled the atmosphere, "Gin?"
"What?"
"Do you think…that I'd be a good mother?"
"No," he said surprising her
"Really…"
'Riko, I think you'd be a perfect mother" he said she looked over at him and tear began to well up.
"You mean that?"
"Yeah," he said
"Don't lie to me"
"I'm not," he said, "…what happened?"
"I hate being seen like this" she said as she began to cry "why'd you have to come here?"
"It just didn't go how I wanted it to," she said "he wasn't happy at all, I don't know what to do anymore" she said "he…he doesn't even want to keep it" he was a bit speechless he didn't know what to say to her "Maybe he was right though…after all he knows me better than anyone…maybe I won't be any good as a mother"
"Geez, seeing you cry is like watching a puppy get run over" he said surprising her
"That was a horrible comparison"
"But wouldn't you feel horrible," he said and she gave a small laugh
"Yeah," she smiled "Thank you," she said, "I'm glad we became friends again"
"You're cold?"
"Just a bit," she said, "I'm now soaked, I didn't expect to fall asleep out here"
"Then you should get home, it's getting late," he said "I'm sure he's waiting for you"
"Which is exactly why I don't want to go there, I'll text him and tell him I'm fine, but I don't want to see him, at least not for a while"
"Well I guess you could come by my place"
"What? Really?" she said then shook her head, "no way, I could never" she said "I'll just crash at hotel; I don't want to bother you"
"I'm sure he'd be able to find you then"
"Huh"
"I'm kidding"
"…well when you put it that way," she said, "if it's okay with you"
"It is" he said she smiled
"Alright then" she said and he helped her up
"Riko, just don't listen to what he said"
"You mean takeshi?"
"Yeah, he's wrong" he said she smiled at him
"Yeah thanks" she said and Gintoki looked over at the graved
"Why'd you choose such a depressing spot?"
"I wanted to tell them my big news," she said smiling
"You mad at your old man?" he asked looking at the flowers on her mother's grave, "didn't want to bring him flowers?"
"No, I'm not the one who brought those, someone else did, I got to say I'm pretty curious to know who," she said, "whoever it was must really know my mother, white lilies are her favourite…hers and mine"
-x-
"I'm just going to stay the night, not any longer than that," she said standing in front of him with her arms crossed
"Whatever"
"And I'm sleeping on the couch"
"Forget it"
"What?"
"I'm sleeping on the couch," he said, "you go in my room"
"…I could sleep on the couch, I'll be fine"
"Now what kind of man would I be if I let you do that?"
"…Gin, why are you doing this?"
"Why not; where friends aren't we?"
"Well, we kind of just re-met today, so were like acquaintances," she said, "but, I guess this is how our friendship will bloom"
"You're taking it too far"
"No I'm not," she said, "this is just how we start over"
"Good start?" he asked
"I guess since you're sleeping on the coach"
"Whatever, just go to bed"
"Wait, I need something to change into"
"Aren't you used to sleeping naked"
"No," she said, "it's cold; I need clothes, since these are soaked"
"Being demanding again?"
"Again? Gin I haven't seen you in forever, this should be new to you"
"It's not"
"Then you should be used to it,"
"I want this" she said pointing at his chest
"…my body?"
"No, you shirt" he said and he groaned and took it off
"This will be just fine" she said smiling, "thank you," she said then headed to his room
"That damn woman"
-x-
Then night went by but Riko could not sleep, "why won't I fall asleep," she asked herself then slide the door open to see if Gintoki was awake or not, she crawled over to him and looked up at him, "psst," she began, "Gin, are you awake?" she said then began shaking him, but he still remained asleep, she sighed and smacked him in the face and he quickly got up
"What!?"
"Oh good your awake"
"What do you want?"
"I can't go to sleep, the futon uncomfortable"
"And what the hell am I supposed to do about that?"
"I don't know"
"You woke me up for this?"
"Come in bed with me"
"Hell no"
"Why not?"
"You know you have a boyfriend; if we sleep together I don't think you could handle my greatness"
"Yeah, your right" she said sarcastically, "Gin, I just want you there"
"Well I'm here"
"In the same room, I sleep better with company," she said, "We don't have to sleep next to each other"
"…please?" she begged and he glared at her
"You know this is a rather big move for an acquaintance" he said lying right next to her
"Now you're the one taking it too far"
"Shut up," he said, "and I thought I didn't have to be next to you"
"I changed my mind," she said, "Well in any case, I owe you one Gin"
"You owe me more than one"
"Yeah I know; next time I'll be the on helping you, okay"
"Like that will happen"
"Come on," she said rolling onto her side to face him, "I have to repay you"
"A kiss from a pretty girl is all I need"
"Stop joking around," she said, "even that wouldn't be enough"
"It would be enough for me"
"Really?"
"Yeah"
"A kiss on the cheek, not on the lips"
"You'd really do that to an acquaintance?" he said
"Okay fine! We're not acquaintances anymore, I get it, and we are normal friends," she said, "but, I will" She shifted closer to him, and gave him a kiss on his cheek
"That's not enough," she said
"I agree"
"You want more?"
"Hell yeah"
"Still as dirty as ever," she said lying back down
"You're the dirty one"
"But, I'm not going any further," she said, "I guess I'll just have to figure out some other way to pay you back"
"Just forget about it"
"Hmm?"
"You don't have to give me anything"
"…you may feel that way, but I still feel like I owe you so much" she said minutes had passed and they both remained silent
"Gin, you still awake? She asked
"Yeah"
"I'm not keeping you up am I?"
"No"
"Gin, we fight a lot don't we?"
"We're not fighting now"
"I know but we did it a lot, like some divorced couple," she said, "the funny thing is we were never together," she said, "maybe it's because I like you too much"
"…"
"Let have a truce to no more fighting okay?"
"I thought we already had that truce"
"It wasn't really a truce, just us saying to become real friends, but in reality we just always knew each other, we can't erase the past," she said, "it might come up again, although I hope it doesn't, so let's just make one," she said grabbing his hand, and locking their pinkies together
"It's a promise, right?" she said, "no more worthless fighting"
"I should be asking you that, you're the one who always has a problem with something"
"…I guess your right," she said, "then it's my promise," she said, "your too good of a friend to lose Gin; so I want to keep close to you as long as I can, or just forever" she said "…Do you promise to be my friend forever?"
"Yeah"
"Don't lie to me"
"I'm not"
"Good," she said, "it's a pinky promise, if you break it, I'll cut off both your pinkies so you could never lie again"
"Cut them off?"
"Yes"
"Damn," he said, "can't lie now,"
"That's right" she smiled, "Goodnight Gin"
-x-
The morning came and Gin woke up first he looked over at her and put his hand over his head, He didn't know what he got himself into by sleeping next to someone else's girl; if he was her boyfriend he'd kill him.
"Hey, wake up," he said, she opened one of her eyes and just turned her body around, he didn't see the problem with leaving her asleep, but he just didn't want to, things were already awkward as it is, "hey" he say shaking her again, this time she rose up and looked both ways tiredly, she looked over at him and rubbed her eyes, "I'm hungry," she said, lying back down
"The pregnant lady is hungry, how scary"
"What's so scary about it?"
"Whatever I'll; make you something"
"Really?"
"Yeah, just get changed" he said and she grinned and rose from the bed
"Forget it, I'm going to help too," she said smiling
"Weren't you tired just a minute ago?"
"If both of us cook, it'll go faster"
"Yeah, yeah"
"Let's go," she said as she began to push him out the room
"Change first" he said and she looked at him with a questioned stare then down at her self
"Why, what's wrong"
"I may be a friend but I'm still male"
"That's true, but it's you," she said, "I just feel this comfortable around you, it's not like you can see anything, your shirts way too big for me"
"Hey listen, it's not right" he said staring at her
"Gin if you continue to stare I'm going to blush," she said and he glared at her, "come on, I'm starving" she said
After much hardship through the process Gin managed making everything himself, while she stood there and watched him, the both sat down as they ate.
"It smells good," she said, "Gin you're amazing," she said and began to eat, "By the way, where's Kagura"
"Not here"
"So where is she?" she asked, but he didn't answer "geez, you're awfully silence, just asking since I haven't really seen them, both her and Shinpachi," the doorbell rang "is…that them?"
"No," he said getting up and she followed, and he looked back at her, "what are you doing?"
"What I want to know too"
"Dressed like that?"
"Alright, I'll go change"
"Is Riko there?" the person at the door said, and Riko recognized that voice right away
"It's takeshi? How did he figure out I'm here"
"Did you tell him?"
"No, I told him I was staying by a hotel; I didn't think he wouldn't believe me," she said, "Tell him I'm not here"
"You can't hide forever"
"I'm not planning on hiding forever," she said, "I don't want to talk to him"
"You're that mad at him?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Fine, I'll tell him this time; but I'm not covering for you again"
"Thank you, Gin," she said then hid away. Once she got far away Gintoki opened the door
"She's not here" he said
"Have you seen her?"
"No"
"I thought she would have been here since you seem to be one of her closest friends, I'm sorry for disturbing you, I've been looking for her all night, but it was no use" he said "I understand if she doesn't want to talk to me but please, if you do see her, tell her I want to speak with her, and if you can, that I'm sorry"
"I will"
"Thank you," he said and left, Gintoki sighed and walked back in
"Did you get all that"
"…yeah" she said, "Did he look tired?"
"…yeah"
"…I'm going to change"
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know," she said, "if he's sorry, why he would say what he did?"
"Maybe you could ask him that when you go talk to him"
"You think everything will be okay once I do?"
"I don't know"
"Gin, thank you for making me stay here," she said
"You're leaving?"
"…yeah"
"Finally," he said and she laughs
"I was a handful wasn't I?" she said, "I'm sorry"
"It's okay; I'm the one who asked you to stay here"
"Thank you for caring," she said, "it made me remember how sweet you could be" she said "Can you…walk me home?"
"…yeah sure" he said and she smiled
-x-
"You think I'm overreacting?" Riko asked Gintoki as she walked home
"No"
"You don't?" she said looking at him, "how about putting yourself in his situation….do you deserve my forgiveness?"
"I would never say that to you," he said surprising her
"I really don't know you at all do I?" she said, "when I found out I was pregnant, I did think you were the father, but I thought you would want nothing to do with me," she said "I'm sorry," she said and stopped walking, "Gin, I appreciate you putting up with me," she said, "I'm going to walk the rest of the way myself," she said "thank you Gin, I'm glad we could talk like this," smiled and walked away
"Wait," he called out, "Just do what you think is right, for you"
"And what about my child?" she asked, "…it's not all about me anymore," she said "but thank you for caring" she said turning away
-x-
Before entering her house, she took a deep breath, she unlock her and walked in, the light were and she say roes everywhere, "is he serious," she said almost laughing and followed the lead of the flowers until she came across him
"Takeshi? What is this?" she asked
"Me saying sorry"
"You always were very dramatic"
"You're the dramatic one," he said, "I'm sorry"
"I know you are," she said, "I guess I just got angry too quickly"
"No I was wrong," he said, "I didn't mean what I said"
"Then…what did it mean"
"It was…"
"It was you're first reaction," she said, "it must have meant something," she said, "you don't want to have a kid with me, is that it?"
"I do, I love you"
"But, you said"
"Forget about what I said, I should have never of said it, it was stupid of me," he said, "I wouldn't lie to you"
"I know"
"I love you"
"I know"
"That's it?"
"I'm still mad at you"
"What can I do?"
"Nothing," she said, "you've already apologized, and I just have to get over it, after all whether you like it or not, we are having a child together"
"Whether I like it or not?" he repeated, "Riko, I'm happy about it," he said "I was surprised, but I thought it over, and I wouldn't want to have a baby with anyone else, but you"
"Oh?"
"Am I not convincing you?"
"No, that's not it…" she said
"I love you Riko"
"I love you too," she said, "just don't do anything like that again" she said hugging him
"…I'm sorry I made you cry"
"It's okay, I'm over it, or at least someone helped me get over it"
"Someone?"
"Yeah," she said, "Gin, did actually, he was nice enough to make me stay by him, and he cheered me up"
"…really?"
"Oh, don't be like that, I told him to lie to you when you stopped by"
"I see," he said, "Riko, there's something else," he said "I was going to wait but…I'm positive now"
"What is it?"
"I want to be with you forever Riko" he said and she smiled at him "which is why…" he said going down on one knee, and her eyes widened
"…wait, Takeshi…are you?"
"Yes, Riko will you marry me"
"You're proposing to me?"
"Yes, I want to marry you I want to spend the rest of my life together"
"I-I don't know what to say" she said, "I'm so shocked right now"
"Well I hope you say what I want you to say"
"Um…yes"
"Really"
"Yes" she said and he rose up and hugged her, "This was so sudden"
"I thought about it all day, and I have no doubt in my mind that I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I love you"
"You're amazing with words"
"Is that a joke? I mean all of it," he said, "You're hurting my feelings, you know"
"It was a joke" she smiled
YYYEEEEESSS! I'm never reading this chapter again! You know how many times I read this over? Fucking a lot!...its 2 in the morning and I'm updating I swore to myself that I would re-read it and update as soon as I'm done…my self-promise…and I have school in a few hours…sigh…
I wasn't planning on you guys figuring out who the daddy was but it kind of just ended up this way...but who knows maybe you could still be guessing X3
I know I take forever to update, but you know I'd probably update quicker if I gave half-ass chapters like 2 thousand words, but I can't because my OCD won't allow to post a chapter unless it seems complete, though I must say I think the next chapter is going to be short so updating is going to most definitely be faster.
Thank you; review; and until next time