Ready?

The morning came, and with it the excitement, anticipation, and nervousness in Gintoki raised. It was the big day of the school trip, if you could call a cruise a school trip. It wasn't something you usually do with your school. Well for most of the school. Off course Edai had to be different. It wasn't even surprising anymore. Ok big lie, it was still surprising. But in the actual context, the situation didn't seem impossible or out of place. Nor that it was easier to accept that he was actually going on a sort of cruise… I mean a cruise…Ok, Gintoki was just realizing.

He was glad Kagura and Shinpachi were going to come with him, he wouldn't have been able to do it alone. But it felt more confident with the two around him. Not surprising. They were easy going, the best friends ever since they didn't leave him behind after everything he put them through. He was maybe naïve to some point but he wasn't an idiot. He knew, even though they didn't talk about it, that he wasn't the only one to receive deathly glares and threats. But they were still sticking with him. He was truly grateful for that, because he didn't know what he would have done, have they not be here to support him.

Well, actually, it looks like things were progressing. He didn't know what to think about the F4s and especially Hijikata's behavior, but the leader of this school didn't look like he despised him enough to order his death anymore. Well, he wasn't sure about that, after all he was almost rape on Hijikata's orders. So maybe not his death, but he definitely wanted to damage him in a certain way, and as most permanently as possible. Yeah, he almost forgot that, after yesterday. Hijikata hated him enough to do that and he was sure he still hated him enough to do it again.

Gintoki was suddenly feeling dejected. How could he forget that? He shouldn't feel happy about this trip, since it was mostly another way to hurt him. How, he didn't know. But Hijikata must have prepared something, he had to be careful and not let his feeling get to him. Yeah, easier said than done! Just a minute ago, he was thinking about just how great Hijikata was… Ok, he didn't thought that just right now. Impossible! No way! Not even a possibility! The embarrassment!

This internal conflict pursued as Gintoki blushed because of the embarrassment he was feeling, when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around with the rapidity of Flash, ready to attack whoever was behind him if needed. When he saw Shinpachi, he calmed himself and smiled.

"Hey Shinpachi-kun" Gintoki said

"Hey Gin-san… What's wrong? You look tense. And what was that just now, I didn't see you move at all." Shinpachi asked, confused and surprised by such a reaction coming from the sweet boy.

"Ha… It's nothing, I was just thinking about something and you caught me of gard so I kind of panicked."

"You don't have to panic, everything is alright. But you really seem tensed… Something happened?"

"No, don't worry."He smiled, trying is best to appear appeased. But looking at Shinpachi's face, he known he wasn't fooling him at all. Gintoki sighed. When did he get so easy to read? This was not a good thing; he should be used to have to hide his feeling, with all that happened. And why was that affecting so much? He thought he came to term with what happened and took it with hindsight. But it seemed like he wasn't done with it. Great! He really didn't need to become somber right now. That was nothing, he was just overreacting… And at the same time, he knew he wasn't. It's normal for someone to feel insecure and scared after being almost rape. But still… He wasn't going to let it spoil his trip with his friends. So he tried to change the subject.

"Do you Know where Kagura is?"

"No, I still haven't seen her. I texted her to know when she will be here and she said she will arrive in 5 minutes. She should be here now." Shinpachi answered, still looking at Gintoki in a way that said 'ok I'm dropping it for now but if you want to talk about it, I'm here.' Gintoki understood right away. He smiled, thankful again for such great friends.

"Hey guys" Speak of the devil!

"Hey Kagura-chan" they welcomed her

"Great day, right? Shinpachi, before I forget, thanks for the documents yesterday."

"You're welcomed."

"Still, sorry I will take better notes next time"

"Yeah… Of course, I'm so trusting you.

"What? Shinpachi, how can you say such things? Glasses should be more polite!"

"What the links?" Shinpachi cringed

Kagura laughed. Gintoki who assisted the entire scene in silence couldn't help but also chuckled. Shinpachi looked outraged, which was even funnier.

"Haha… By the way, what are you talking about?" The silver head questioned.

"Shinpachi send me the History's lessons yesterday because I couldn't follow the class." Kagura explained

"Couldn't? Pff. More like wouldn't! She was sleeping while the teach was talking. Because of her, I was disputed too. I couldn't believe it. She wouldn't wake up!" Shinpachi whined

"How can you say that! Don't trust him Gin-chan. It's because the lesson so annoying and her voice was so boring. You understand what I mean right?!" Kagura looked at him with a stare that said 'be careful about what you answer.' Shinoachi turned to him and gave him the same look. Ok, he was used to such a situation, but last time it happened, the persons before him were two little girls.

"Uhh… Off course. But I think you should still try it so Shinpachi wouldn't be grounded."

Kagura sighed, she knew Gintoki was right. "Yeah, you're right. I will , I don't really have a choice. I wouldn't like to phone Shinpachi everyday anyway."

"Hey! What does that mean?"

"Nothing Shinpachi, don't worry… While I think about it, can I have your phone Gin-chan?" She asked

Shinpachi turned to him, excited. "Yeah, me too! When I think about it, I never saw you used it."

"Well, that's because I don't have one." The silver head answered

They gaped in shock at him. Gintoki, embarrassed, scratched his hair. Was it so bad not to have a phone? Ok maybe, nowadays, it must be not really common for someone Gintoki's age not to have a phone. But well, he couldn't really spend his money in every little thing, and he didn't need it before, considering he was homeschooled. The first one who seemed to recover was Kagura.

"Ok, so it's obvious we need to buy you one. You will need it in the future. And I want your number!"

"Yeah, she is right Gin-san. I can't believe we didn't notice it before." Gintoki nodded

"I agree. Well let's go boys! We have a cruise to enjoy!"