Hey, okay, so, i've been MIA, and i'm back :D the chapter is very short, because i still have training for Nationals, but i just had to update, you know, on an impulse :D so, yup :D here~

Phase Ten

Hijikata placed both his hands on Kagura's shoulder. 'You know that this is a dangerous mission, young lady,' he said, cigarette dangling from between his lips.

Kagura narrowed her eyes. 'Are you implying something, Mayora?'

Hijikata's eyebrows twitched in annoyance. 'Stop calling me that. Mayonnaise is a nutritional and delicious creation given to us by God—'

'Hijikata-san, my wife doesn't need a theory lesson on something so disgusting. If she decides to put that glob on my food in the future, I'll kill you.' Sougo ran a hand through his blonde hair, pushing up his bangs and letting them fall back down over his eyes.

'Shut up, Sougo.' He turned back to Kagura. 'This isn't a joke. You might get killed. And you have a daughter don't you.'

'Hino's with Gin-chan. She'll be fine.'

'What about you?' Hijikata dropped his arms, and took the cigarette out of his lips, blowing out a cloud of smoke. 'Wherever we're going, Yorozuya isn't going to be there.'

'I'll be fine.'

'How can you confirm that?'

'Why are you so against me going? You think I'm going to drag you all down? Do you think I'll be a burden to the Shinsengumi? Do you think so? Do you think I won't be of any help at all?' Kagura's cerulean orbs flashed in desperation.

'I never said that.' Hijikata frowned at Sougo. 'Aren't you worried about your idiot wife at all?'

'Why should I be? Worried or not, the outcome and everything can't be changed.' Sougo shrugged, and sighed. 'China will be fine, Hijikata-san. Stop being a nag.'

'Sougo. You can't bring your wife along on a mission.'

'She wants to come. She comes.'

Hijikata gave a groan and shook his head. 'I'm out.' He left and closed the door a little harder than necessary.

'Sadist.'

'What now, China. You made the Mayora angry, now I'm going to get it.'

'Sadist, I have to come.'

'Then come along,' Sougo raised an eyebrow. 'What's with you?'

'Do you think I'll be useless?'

'No,' he said without hesitation. 'You'll make a very good punching bag for venting anger.'

He expected Kagura to snap back with a smart retort, but she just looked down and turned away from him. 'Oh.'

He observed her and snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him, and crushing her to his body, his hand on her head. He felt her pulse quicken and smirked in personal glory to still be able to instill such a feeling in her after six years.

'China. What are you thinking?'

'Nothing.'

'You're lying.'

Kagura didn't answer, and he could feel her body trembling.

'You're crying,' he realized. He lifted her chin up to look at her. 'Why are you crying, you idiot. I thought I already said you could come.'

'Sadist…'

'Hmm?'

'Don't die.'

'Do you really want me to die that much?'

'No!'

'All right, all right, I'm sorry, okay?' Sougo hugged Kagura tighter.

'Promise me. Promise me you won't die.'

'I definitely won't die.' Sougo sighed and tousled his hair. 'The problem is you, China. You better not get yourself killed.'

'Of course not!'

'But are you really fine with it?'

'With?'

'Leaving Hino with Danna.'

'But Hino-chan is definitely going to be safe with Gin-chan. There's no one else I'd rather trust to protect her!'

'I know, but what if, China, what if, we never get to see her again?'

'There's no "what if", Sadist. We're coming back. We. Are. Coming. Back.'

'Okay, okay, I get it, I get it.' Man, that China. Can't even face the slightest bit of reality.

There was a knock on the door.

Sougo opened it, and raised an eyebrow.

'Sougo, it's time to go!' Kondo grinned.

Hijikata leaned against the railing outside, smoking his usual cigarette, eyes closed.

'Ah, and Kagura-chan, you're coming too?' Kondo frowned a little.

'Of course, Gorilla!'

'STOP CALLING ME GORILLA!'

'Sure, Gorilla!'

Sougo watched his wife and commander argue over their trivial problem.

They didn't seem to realize the danger approaching.

Not at all.

A/N: SO PLEASE REVIEW! i hope i get 10 or something :D *greedy* yes i knoww :D anyway, thanks for reading, and seriously, please, REVIEW! :D