Disclaimer: I do not own Gintama. It is owned by the awesome Sorachi Hideaki-sensei, Sunrise and Shueisha.
Rating: T
Genre: Romance, Tragedy
Summary: An annual festival at Yoshiwara creates a chance for Gintoki to learn more about the death of Shouyou-sensei, while Tsukuyo learns about the truth of her abandonment.
Author's Notes: Hello there, everyone! Missed me? *gets shot* But anyway, I'm sorry for the super late update, I've been so busy with real life these days… you understand what I'm saying, right? And oh, have you watched the Kintama arc? The animation was splendid! And I absolutely love the fact that Sugita Tomokazu and Nakamura Yuuichi voiced Gin-chan and Kin-chan respectively! *insert fangirl squeal*
Okay, don't be surprised on what you will find out at the end of this chapter. And please don't kill me if it feels more serious than serious Gintama! *evades ANPAN SPARKING!*
Lots of love to the following: nukidono14, Ginallen, Killuminator, Number-SE7EN-MrsGluttony, The Cloned One, ATM, Rhaide AND Souichirouchan, Gintsu fan, I-Howl-AT THE-moon, Anonymous, ex-pervyguy, Chibi-Onee-chan, DivineKitten, an-co-xx, cruorem, Hummingbird, Lazy Gaga, NCISMcAbbyISthebest, Nekoi Kurona, DarkAndStormyNight, KeyToTheTruth, anon, Gurako-san, OROGoldenpair1, W, Candyqueen-sama, Stalker Of Reactions, asdas, CrimsonStar10, Sweet Tsubaki, ElleinadOtaku0w0, MerryGoRound01129, mazzal, Jette soller, itazuraramblings, she-womanizer, Lady Redgrave DMC, starmie, miso ramen goodness, LoveMadness, VenVen, FlamingLexus, ShiroHachikuji, dentedileone, sadisticnihil and Swirling Circles…
みんな、 ほんとうにありがとうな!
Truth
(信実 Shinjitsu)
A Gintama Fanfiction
By Kurasuchi~
XOXOX
CHAPTER 10
"Handcuffs are useless if they could be broken by a monster."
XOXOX
Tsukuyo can only stand still in confusion as soon as she noticed that Gintoki had sprinted off as fast as he could. She knew that he would dash off to Yorozuya Gin-chan. However, despite the fact that she wanted to do the same thing, she stopped herself from doing so. For her, the most logical choice of action was to remain calm and investigate more about the matter. So for now, she decided to leave those things to Gintoki, and she, on the other hand, would do whatever she can to help.
In other words, if she were to do things her way, then she would have to interrogate the source: Katsura.
She bit her lip, and turned around to face the Jouishishi leader. Still, despite her resolve, she still cannot stop the trembling of her hand—after all, she had never thought that such a thing would happen.
They were still there yesterday. Sure, they may have been hurt emotionally, but they are still doing fine. She felt remorse over the situation. If she hadn't only left, then this kind of thing wouldn't happen. If she had only stayed back then, then this kind of thing wouldn't—
"Tsukuyo-dono, isn't it?"
With that sudden voice startling her out of her thoughts, she then looked at Katsura, and stared at him. "Yes," she then said. "And you're the Jouishishi Katsura Kotarou, correct? Forgive me for my insolence, but I would like to be straight to the point." Her gaze towards him became sharper, the deeper meaning behind her stare now clearly visible. "Tell me everything you know."
Katsura sighed. "I assume that I must, then. And besides, with the way that Gintoki is right now, he wouldn't be able to think logically. His actions would only be confused by his emotions."
Tsukuyo cringed at the thought. Still, it did make sense.
"Alright. Let's do just that, then."
XOXOXOX
Gintoki felt as if he had just been stabbed on his chest as soon as he entered the room, and saw the situation for himself.
The whole room was in a mess, just like what Zura had told him. The whole house was always in a mess though, so it was no big deal for him. However, what intrigued him the most was this: if they had really been attacked, then they are sure to fight back, and go back home unscathed, even. But much to his confusion, there weren't even any signs of struggle no matter how hard he looked. And he couldn't ignore the fact that they were last seen here, either.
He was terribly confused. Just what the hell happened?
'It's my fault.'
Was it really his fault? Was he the reason why they aren't here right now, that they are missing? It never crossed his mind that something as outrageous as this would happen during his absence…
'If I hadn't left them, if I only stayed here, then I might have protected them. Then they wouldn't be missing right now.'
He clenched his fists tighter, his knuckles already turning white.
'Shinpachi… Kagura…'
He won't believe this. He'll find them for sure. They won't be missing at a time like this—especially not now, when things are a mess between the three of them. He won't allow it.
After all, he knew those two really well. Even though they may look like that, they won't be defeated that easily. They are strong. They are capable. And they certainly aren't the kind of people who would go missing and get kidnapped or something. They aren't like that at all.
And thus, still unconvinced on what he had seen, he scurried towards the door and out of the house, his footsteps resounding as he dashed off to find the two other Yorozuya.
XOXOXOX
It was already midnight when Tsukuyo arrived back at the Yorozuya. She had done all that she could in order to find the two teenagers—she asked for the Hyakka's help, she asked for the help of Katsura's faction—but to no avail. She still didn't find them at all.
But that doesn't mean that there's no more hope left. They had suspicions—though suspicions will only be just suspicions unless proven. She'll grab that chance though. She won't allow herself to just sit there and do nothing. She'll try her best in order to help.
As expected, she found no one at the house. Gintoki wasn't even around. Knowing him, he's still probably roaming the streets, searching for the two teens—that's just how he is. Sighing to herself, she sat on the cushion and tried to assess to herself everything that happened in the span of few weeks.
At first, she and Gintoki were abducted by the Sonjouroushi during a festival in Yoshiwara. They were able to escape unscathed, though someone in their forces had taken an interest at her and with no other choices left, she was forced to stay with the Yorozuya.
Her stay at the Yorozuya was an enthralling experience for her, and she wouldn't trade it for the world. During her stay, she was able to know more about the surface, about how normal people interact, how people cope up with their everyday lives, and about how the Yorozuya trio lived their lives despite all the poverty they've been in.
And most especially, she learned a lot about that silver-haired bastard who keeps on shaking up her feelings.
She cannot put her finger to it, but she experienced a lot of emotions during her short stay there. She became worried—since Gintoki was troubled, and the two other Yorozuya were bothered about it as well. She became anxious—since the Yorozuya trio had a serious fight, something which she doesn't want to see ever again. She became rash and reckless—since she followed Gintoki to Hagi without even thinking twice. She became sad—because she realized that Gintoki was still haunted by his past.
And now, knowing that Shinpachi and Kagura had gone missing had placed her in a complete depression. She blamed herself for what happened; it was her fault. However, she knew that Gintoki would blame himself more.
If she hadn't only left, then they might still be—
"Is Gintoki here?"
That sudden voice startling her out of her thoughts, Tsukuyo cocked her head towards the speaker, and found herself staring at the elderly woman in front of her, her lighted cigarette resting firmly on her fingers.
"O-Otose-san…"
Blowing off the smoke out of her lips, Otose leaned against the wall and looked around the room. "It seems that he isn't here. But he came back, right? He came back… from Hagi."
Tsukuyo nodded. "Yeah. He came back."
"You brought him back."
"Well, you can say so. But he really did it out of his own free will," said the kunoichi as she looked back at the elderly woman in front of her. "Otose-san, I—"
"Gintoki really treasured them, you know—those two kids."
Upon hearing this, Tsukuyo stopped on her tracks and listened to what she was about to say.
"That guy… even though he knew a lot of people, he had never let those people get too close to him. No one really knew what he's thinking. I never even tried to ask him, either… because even if I didn't ask, I can clearly see that it's as if he was punishing himself for letting go of the load that he had before."
Otose brought her cigarette closer to her lips, and smiled.
"That's why I was really glad that Shinpachi-kun and Kagura-chan, as well as Sadaharu-kun came into his life. The Yorozuya that once consisted of a single person now tripled… and even had a dog. They are the closest people in his life—and they are also the home which he has been looking for. So…"
"..What is it?"
"Tell Gintoki that I came here for his rent. He was on default for three months now. I'll kick him out of the house if he doesn't pay the next time."
"Eh? But isn't that—"
Otose turned her back away from her, and was about to slide the shoji shut when she suddenly stopped halfway.
"And tell him that the sooner he'd pay his rent, I'll treat them to yakiniku. So he better make sure to bring Kagura-chan and Shinpachi-kun along."
Tsukuyo smiled at this. It seems that she really knew Gintoki too well.
"Yeah, I will."
XOXOXOX
His feet won't stop moving.
He had no destination; he just went wherever his feet had led him to.
He couldn't stop himself.
He sighed exasperatedly. He didn't know where he was right now, aside from the fact that he is still somewhere in Edo. However, even though he knew that he wouldn't be able to find them if he just ran over the place, there's nothing that he could do.
It was by instinct, he guessed. Running around to look for them—that's what people would do first. Still, he knew that wasn't enough.
He gritted his teeth in frustration, and without knowing, his huge fist had already delivered a blow towards the cold surface of the wall.
"Damn it…"
How many hours have it been since he went out to look for them outside? He can't recall at all. All that he knew was that he was tired and exhausted from pushing himself too far in order to find them, but he couldn't stop himself.
He needed to find them.
And so, his feet continued on moving. Sweat trickled heavily down his skin. He breathed raggedly and heavily—but that didn't stop him at all.
Oh, wait. He did stop. And he leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath.
He pondered on why he is doing this. He knew that he was supposed to find the two, but to actually implement the clichéd idea of running around the streets even though they won't be found in there? It's just plain stupid. It's as if the author's growing tired of this fic and doesn't want to think at all.
Normally, in this situation, Gintoki would just pick his nose and leave the two alone. No, he's not heartless. He believes in them. He knew that they would be able to handle this situation. Even Sorachi handles him that way in comedy arcs—though not in serious arcs. In serious arcs, that gorilla still uses clichéd things… such as this.
This was supposed to be a serious arc anyway, so let's leave it all like that.
Trying to push all those unnecessary thoughts away from his mind, Gintoki took a deep breath and looked at his surroundings. He still hasn't gone too far from Kabuki-chou; he can still walk home. He'll try other methods of finding them tomorrow. For now, he just hoped that they are safe.
And so he took a step forward and went towards the direction of his house, until he stopped halfway as soon as his eyes caught sight of a familiar man on television. Curiosity taking the best out of him, he went closer to the appliance shop where the said television was placed. He then took notice of the familiar man being shown on the local news.
'Uehara Zennosuke-sama, one of the top advisers of the Hitotsubashi group, announced to the public yesterday that the roju, Ii Masayasu-sama, will be holding a state address—'
"Uehara… Zennosuke..?"
Gintoki gritted his teeth in fury. That man was certainly familiar… Of course he would be! He is the same bastard that they've met in the woods back when they were being held captive by the Sonjouroushi.. He is also the same bastard who knew Shouyou-sensei.. The same bastard who had that suspicious picture of his sensei..
He's the bastard who was…the cause of everything.
He chuckled to himself. He didn't know that things can turn out so simple like this. And this guy had been messing with his life lately, so isn't it just logical for him to mess with his life right now? After all, he's just a gay entertainer whose face evolves into Chris!
'The topic of discussion would be about the recent happenings in the Bakufu which will be held tomorrow morning, seven o'clock at Aburanokouji. He would also talk about the recent coup d'états that happened within the other branches of the Tokugawa Bakufu, and—'
"Aburanokouji, huh? I've never heard of that place… but that means Kagura and Shinpachi are in there, right? Either way, I'll knock the shit out of that bastard and tell him how much of a bitch he was for making things complicated for me."
Finally finding a lead which would help him on his search for the missing Yorozuya, he then wasted no more time as he sprinted off back home to ready himself for the big action tomorrow morning.
XOXOXOX
Tsukuyo tossed and turned on her futon, but she could not sleep. Not even a wink of sleep has even visited her at all. Or rather, she should not be sleeping at such a crucial time like this. But she knew that she cannot do anything about it. She tried her best…but to no avail. All that she can do now was to wait for Gintoki to return, and plan the next course of action thoroughly.
And as such, she got off the futon and stood up, walked towards the living room, only to find herself facing the said silver-haired guy with a natural perm.
"G-Gintoki…"
He only looked back at her with that lazy-looking eyes of his and stared. "Tsukuyo.."
"Gintoki, have you found anything about Shinpachi and Kagura? You've been outside looking for them, right? Maybe you've—"
"Yeah, I did find something."
"Really?" she exclaimed, and walked towards Gintoki. "Where are they? What happened to them?"
Much to her dismay, he did not say anything and only looked down on the floor. Tsukuyo waited a bit longer for his reply, but it never came.
"Gintoki..?"
The man-in-question only slumped himself over the sofa, and stared at the ceiling—and seeing this only irked Tsukuyo even more. She didn't know what happened, and she didn't know what Gintoki had found either. So if he had really found anything, then how would she be able to know about it unless he says something? Or unless…
Irritated, she trudged her way closer to him and grabbed him by the hem of his clothes. He just glared back at her.
Her voice was stern and clear. "You've found something, didn't you? And you didn't want to tell me anything about. Is that right?"
Even though this act made him feel a pang of guilt for a second, Gintoki opted not to say anything and looked away instead. This silence, on the other hand, only served as a 'yes' for Tsukuyo.
"So I am right. You fool! What the hell are you thinking? Don't tell me you're just gonna barge in there alone? Tell me about it! I want to help! I want to—"
"I can handle it myself," he suddenly replied, cutting her sentence off. "You don't have to worry about it."
Tsukuyo was taken aback by this. And here she was, thinking that he had already learned not to do things alone. Was it all her imagination?
"Gintoki," she started, "I don't like what you're doing. Stop this."
He still didn't budge. He only looked away from her, a melancholic expression plastered on his face.
"Gintoki!"
He still didn't reply.
"Oi, Gintoki!" she exclaimed, now completely pissed off. "Don't you dare ignore me! I want to know more about this! I wanna make sure that they are brought back here safe! After all, if I haven't left them here, then something like this wouldn't happen! Gintoki, it's my—"
"..It's not your fault. It's mine. If I didn't act the way I did before, then this wouldn't have happened."
"Nonsense! Either way, you'd still be coming back to Hagi during those days! It's just a matter of time!"
Gintoki only stared at her, wide-eyed. "How the hell did you find out about that? Are you becoming a stalker now as well? Let me tell you this, I've got enough of one stalker, I don't need it to be two! And besides, it's my fault! Don't take all the blame to yourself! I should be the one who's to be blamed!"
"No, I'm the one!"
"I'M THE ONE!"
"NO, IT'S ME!"
"ME!"
"SHUT UP, IT'S ME!"
"NO, IT'S MEEEEEEEEEE—OOOOOOOFFFFF!"
Much to his dismay, he was cut off as he has been skewered by Tsukuyo's kunais. And as usual, one of her kunai had found its way on his forehead.
"Y-You know, I've always wondered how you've managed to hit my head so accurately," he remarked, tears already forming on the sides of his eyes. "Is this a running gag now?"
"Shut up. Just sit still and tell me everything."
"And if I did tell you, just what the hell would you do?"
Tsukuyo smirked at this. "I'll formulate a plan. Don't underestimate me. I'm the leader of the Hyakka, you damned permhead."
XOXOXOX
The sun was just about to rise when Tsukuyo had dragged Gintoki outside the house for no apparent reason. The latter had suspected that it might be about the plan that she had been talking about, so he made no resistance and followed her. However, once she had put her walking into a halt, he was surprised to see where they had gone to.
They are, much to his dismay, in front of the Yagyuu House.
Gintoki felt a trail of sweat trickle down his skin. "Uh… Tsukky?" he asked, looking at her. "Mind telling me what our business with them is?"
"They're gonna help us. We need people from the government as backups, after all."
"What do you mean we need people from the government as backups? That doesn't mean we're gonna ask for their help! Aaaaaaah, mou! I should have just gone there alone! If I did, then there won't be any problems! I shouldn't have left the planning to—"
As he expected, a kunai had already found its way onto his head, and blood had started to trickle down his face.
"As what I've said earlier, is this a running gag now? Is this your idea of a joke? Then what is mine? Groping you? Is that it?"
Another kunai had found its way onto his head once again.
"Just shut up there and stand still," she replied, and dragged him closer towards the gate. As soon as she was only a step away from it, the gate suddenly opened, revealing the long-haired servant of the Yagyuu-ke, Toujou Ayumu.
"Ah, Gintoki-dono, Tsukuyo-dono. We have been expecting you. Waka is inside," he welcomed the two of them, and allowed them to enter inside the mansion. And as he led the way towards the Main House, the servant abruptly stopped.
"And oh, Gintoki-dono, don't you dare deflower my dearest waka or else I'll decapitate you."
"I won't!" retorted Gintoki. "Hell, what's with you? I won't even lift a finger on her! More like, why have we come here anyway? Why the hell do I have to meet up with Kyuubei? I need to save Shinpachi and Kagura, not to meet with someone else!"
Tsukuyo, now irritated at the scene that Gintoki is making, jabbed him on his side. "Behave properly, you moron. You shouldn't make a scene. Only a few people know about what we're planning."
"Except that I didn't know anything about what you've planned."
"You'll go find Shinpachi and Kagura somewhere in Aburanokouji, right? That's the plan! And because we're dealing with the government here, we need people! Surely, we cannot mess up like the last time, right?"
"Last time..?"
"You know, when we went to infiltrate the Edo Castle! We've already made quite a name back then, so we shouldn't risk it again!"
"But don't you think we could have moved a little easier if it's just the two of us? And besides, why the Yagyuu-ke? Why not the Joui? Zura doesn't seem to mind, plus Elizabeth was missing as well, so I'm sure that he'll—"
Much to his surprise, the said man appeared in front of them as soon as Toujou opened the door to the main hall. Behind him was his fellow Joui patriots—his own subordinates. And upon seeing Gintoki, the same man walked towards him with a stupid expression on his face.
"Gintoki! Finally, you've come at last! Today is the day wherein we'll finally see Elizabeth!"
The silver-haired man only heaved a deep sigh. "Stay the hell outta my sight, Zura. Your stupidity is infectious. We might not even succeed because of it."
"Nonsense. Stupidity is a cure! Just take a look at you! You lived a long life because you're stupid!"
"What the hell are you trying to imply there, you bastard? That I'm stupid? That my brain is far inferior than a monkey's? Then just what the hell are yours then? I think you're more of a moron than I am!"
"Don't say such things, Gintoki! If it weren't for me, then you wouldn't even know where to find them!"
"I can find them on my own, thank you very much! I can manage by myself, so why the hell am I here, asking for the help of such troublesome people? Aaaaaaaah, so troublesome!" he retorted, and turned his back away from him. And just as he was about to slide the shoji open, somebody from the other side did the deed for him.
And he can only shudder on what he had seen.
"Ah, Gin-san! GIN-SAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!"
His official stalker, Sarutobi "Sacchan" Ayame, had appeared right in front of him. And without a moment's hesitation, the said purple-haired girl jumped over him in glee, hugging him and forcefully dragging her lips closer to his face. And as usual, Gintoki swatted her away.
He glared at Tsukuyo, pointing at the kunoichi that was still clinging onto his chest. "Damn you! Why did you even call her here? Just what the hell are you planning? I knew it, I shouldn't have told you anything!"
"There's no harm in it, is there?" she replied, and puffed out some smoke from her kiseru. "And besides, since she's stalking you, then she should have known something about the disappearance of Shinpachi and Kagura."
Hearing this stopped Sacchan on her tracks, as she had removed herself from Gintoki and inched herself closer to the Shinigami Courtesan. "D-Disappearance? Just what the hell are you talking about?" she asked, confused. "They're still here when I came to stalk Gin-san a few days ago."
Tsukuyo was taken aback by this. "Eh? So you don't know anything? But aren't you stalking Gintoki every single day? You should have known about it!"
"Of course I do stalk Gin-san! And I will do that forever!"
"OIIIIIIIIIII—!"
"—But I only came back just now, since I went to Nara to patch some things up. There are some problems with work you see, but I've went here immediately since you've said that Gin-san needs my help! Tsukky! Tell me, what happened?"
Tsukuyo was about to reply, but she was interrupted by the arrival of the heir—or rather, heiress of the Yagyuu-ke, Yagyuu Kyuubei, together with her childhood friend and Shinpachi's sister, Shimura Tae.
Otae smiled at Sacchan. "Sarutobi-san, would you please lower your voice? I believe that you are causing a scene in someone else's compound."
"Tae-chan, it's alright," consoled Kyuubei, and looked back at Sacchan with a serious expression on her face. "Two days ago, Shinpachi-kun and Kagura-chan just disappeared without a trace. We've tried our best to find them, but sadly, it was useless."
"W-What? Then where were they last seen?" asked Sacchan, all baffled by what she'd just heard. "There might be some clues there!"
"Unfortunately," started Tsukuyo, butting into the conversation. "When we arrived there, the whole place was a mess, but other than that, there aren't any clues or anything. I don't even know how Gintoki managed to find a clue, much less a possible place where they could be found. And it even looks like he's just planning to go there alone."
Hearing this statement made Katsura perk up and face his childhood friend. "You are such a fool, Gintoki. And what do you plan on doing alone? Do you plan on committing suicide?"
"I have no such intentions, Zura," replied Gintoki. "I have no plans on dying, either. It's just that… it's my fault. And the least I could do is to save them by my own. You guys don't need to butt in. I'll do this by myself."
Upon hearing this, everyone inside the room fell into a complete silence, until Otae broke it all with a step towards the silver-haired samurai.
"Gin-san, you must have forgotten that I am the sister, haven't you? It is only my right to butt in into this matter! Surely, you'll let me into this, right?"
"Tae-chan's right, Gintoki," said Kyuubei. "We may not be able to do much, but we still want to help! Shinpachi-kun and the others are in a pinch!"
Gintoki was speechless upon hearing this. Even though he planned on doing this alone, even though everything was his fault, they were still willing to help him. However, he didn't want to trouble them for this—but somehow, his resolve slowly crumbles away…
Sacchan lunged herself towards him, and forcedly hugged him like she usually does. "Gin-san, I want to help as well! Let me be in this one! I'll follow you wherever you may go! And after this, we'll do our usual routine, okay? Our favorite SM plays which we haven't done for ages…"
"We haven't done any SM plays! Stop fooling yourself!"
"Ah, Gin-san, don't be shy! Just admit it!"
"Gintoki!" the Jouishishi leader then interjected. "You have heard them clearly, right? They believed in you. Now, it's your turn to believe in them."
The Yorozuya leader, on the other hand, was unable to say anything. He only looked at them wide-eyed, and tried to assess the meaning behind their words. But just as he was about to insist that he should do it alone, Tsukuyo walked towards him and smiled at him.
"Don't carry the whole burden by yourself, Gintoki. We're friends, right? You have always helped us. Now, it is our turn to help you."
With those words, Gintoki cannot help but to stare at them, and look at all of them straight in the eyes. As soon as he had come into contact with it though, he realized just how serious and sincere their intentions were, that he cannot help but to—
"Aaaaargh, dammit…"
He ruffled his already messy hair with his hand, and gave them a faint smile.
"I guess there's no helping it, huh?"
He then turned his back on them, took out his Touya-ko, and placed it atop his shoulders.
"The path may be rough and we may not know where we're going through… I don't know what's in store for us once we get in there. I don't even know if we can really find them there. However, I do believe that nothing will happen if we don't move forward, that's why…"
He took a step forward, his gaze settled against the rising sun that slowly colored the skies with an orange hue.
"…This time, let us watch each other's backs."
XOXOXOX
Aburanokouji is a vast palace-like place that is owned by both high-ranking Amanto and the Tokugawa Bakufu. It is settled near the Terminal, the center of all commerce throughout Edo and the symbol of Amanto occupation in whole Japan. It is about a few kilometers away from the Edo Castle, the official residence of the de facto ruler of the state, the Seiitai Shogun and his cabinet members.
One cannot go freely to Aburanokouji, and it is only open to the public during holidays such as the Emperor's birthday, or during special events that involves most of the state. State addresses delivered to the public by the official spokespersons of the Bakufu are oftentimes held at Aburanokouji since it is more accessible to the public, and is close to the Shinsengumi Headquarters.
And as such, the twenty-third day of November was considered a special day since it is rare for the Bakufu, especially for the rojus, to show their faces to the public. (With the exception of the Shogun of course, but that's only applicable to Gintoki and the others.) Many people, in turn, have gathered around Aburanokouji in anticipation for the state address that will be delivered by one of the well-known rojus who served the Tokugawa Bakufu, Ii Masayasu.
With all these facts at hand, Gintoki tried to think about the situation that he was in. He had no basis other than his intuition when he had concluded that Shinpachi and Kagura were really being held captive in there. Hell, he doesn't even know if they're really being held captive, either! However, he was certain that this incident had a connection to that man, that so-called Uehara Zennosuke, who was suspiciously a high-ranking official of the Bakufu despite being a Joui.
Gintoki heaved a deep sigh. Somehow, they had managed to get inside the grounds despite the tight security thanks to the intervention of the Yagyuu-ke, who also played a huge part in the security of the place. And as planned by Tsukuyo, Kyuubei and Otae stayed at the area where the state address would be held in order to blend with the spectators and investigate more about the matter, or if something chaotic happens, try to calm the situation and divert the people's attention away from them.
He, Zura, Tsukuyo and Sacchan infiltrated the compound, and they separated in order to make their search for the two Yorozuya easier. And now, Gintoki and Zura are in the West Wing, as opposed to the two kunoichi who moved their way towards the East Wing.
"You know, it's really depressing how I've got stuck with an old man like you," grumbled Gintoki as he continued on walking and running discreetly, hoping to get inside the nearest building without being noticed by the people moving around the area. Fortunately, both of them still weren't noticed, even though he was forced by a certain Joui patriot into cosplaying as another pair of space pirates.
"Jijii ja nai, Captain Katsuura da." Katsura took a piece of nmaibo out of his pocket and ate it as if they aren't infiltrating the place but just looking around. "And the same thing goes for me." He took another bite. "And I don't want to be called an old man by the same man who looks older than me."
"Zura, I swear I'm gonna chug that nmaibo out of your throat if you don't stop eating right now," Gintoki mumbled under his breath, and glared back at the man beside him. "And who the hell are you calling old? I'm not old! I'm just twenty- #$%!"
"Look, it is obvious that you're old. Your age is being censored."
"That's because that gorilla hasn't revealed it yet! But the same goes with you! Don't you dare forget that you're about the same age as I am!"
Gintoki heaved a deep sigh. "Ah, this is stupid. We're getting nowhere with this. By the way Zura, are you really sure that they are somewhere near this building?"
"If my informant's information wasn't wrong, then I'm positive. This is one of the possible places where they could be in, if they were really being held captive."
The permhead didn't say a word. Noticing this, Katsura looked at him before he gave a sigh.
"But even so Gintoki, how did you come into the conclusion that they are being held captive here? Did you find some clues or anything?"
It took a few seconds before Gintoki had finally replied. "I didn't. Just my intuition."
"Intuition? Gintoki, do you realize just how much of a mess it would be if we—"
"I know that." His already tight grip on the hilt of his bokutou only became tighter. "But we have no other choice. And besides, do you know that man named Uehara Zennosuke from the Hitotsubashi group?"
"Uehara… Zennosuke..? That man, huh? There have been rumors circulating about him, being involved in some shady business or something. Unfortunately, I'm not that interested on other people aside from the Shogun. He's our enemy, after all."
"Shogun aside, that man… he's the same man that we've been searching for all these time. He's the one with Shouyou-sensei's picture, Zura."
This piqued the interest of the so-called Nobleman of Fury. "Oh? So you mean he's the one who's with the Sonjouroushi, is that it? People in the government sure are sneaky… Well, with that in mind, it is not impossible for him to do this kind of thing. Maybe it's some kind of greeting for the two of us, don't you think?"
Gintoki chuckled at this. "Some sort of greeting? Are you kidding me? Who the hell does that kind of greeting nowadays? Well, I don't know what he's thinking, but I'd rather not be greeted this way."
He took a step forward and started walking, with Katsura following him shortly thereafter.
"Let's go, Zura," he then said. "Let us go kick some dirty ass."
XOXOXOX
Today is the day wherein the roju, Ii Masayasu, will be holding a speech to all the citizens of the state. And as such, the Shinsengumi was in-charge of the security of the whole area. The Shinsengumi Vice-Captain, Hijikata Toushirou, was not entirely pleased with this at all. He hates getting his hands full.
He is patrolling around the compound of Aburanokouji, and is supervising all of the movements of his subordinates. Things are going well now, he supposed, but that doesn't stop him from being irritated. Even the fact that his Commander and his First Division Captain who usually goof off are now doing their job well did not help to ease his mood. For him, occasions like this are troublesome; he wished that this day was just an ordinary day, so there'll be less work for him.
But actually, the real source of his irritation was due to the fact that his morning was destroyed by a single text message coming from the "elite" commander of the Mimawarigumi, Sasaki Isaburou. He woke up that morning only to be greeted by a "Good Luck! \(^o^)/" message from him—he just wished that he never saw it so that his day would become a little bit better. He didn't need to be reminded that the main reason why the Bakufu had only chosen the Shinsengumi as the guards was because their headquarters is the one closest to Aburanokouji.
He supposed that Sasaki was probably rejoicing right now since he does not have to do such an "un-elite" job. He's probably laughing his ass off at them right now.
The thought made him cringe and out of frustration, he punched the concrete wall closest to him.
"Dammit… I need to stop thinking about these kind of thoughts… it only makes me more pissed off.."
"F-Fukuchou!"
Hearing that voice, Hijikata turned around, only to find Yamazaki Sagaru in front of him.
"What is it, Yamazaki?" he said, picking up a piece of cigarette from his pocket and lighting it with his favorite mayo lighter.
"All the preparations are ready. Every corners of the palace are secured by palace guards and all the divisions are on full alert as well—there's no way that intruders may sneak in with such tight security."
"That's great to hear then." He put the lighted cigarette on his mouth. "We should make sure that we have the tightest security as much as possible. That guy is an influential man, after all. Chaotic things may happen if we just sit back and relax." He then looked at the man in front of him. "Yamazaki."
"Y-Yes?"
"Go back to your assigned task."
"Y-Yes!" Yamazaki said in reply despite being terrified. He then saluted in response and ran off.
Seeing that Yamazaki was nowhere near the area, Hijikata can only puff out some smoke out of his cigarette, and hope that everything would turn out well for that day. Guarding a very influential man is troublesome, after all; those bastard Joui patriots might use this as an opportunity to crush the Bakufu, so they really need to be on guard.
And just as he was about to go to the next building, he then saw a glimpse of silver—a very familiar permed silver hair. He gritted his teeth in irritation.
"Dammit… when I said Joui, I didn't mean it to be Joui like him!" he exclaimed as he followed that familiar man, but as soon as he got closer to the area, he didn't see him anymore.
Hijikata was confused. "Did I just imagine it?" He shook his head. "No, there's no way I could have imagined that. Dammit! Why now? Bad things always happen when he's around!"
XOXOXOX
The faint smell of powder was suffocating.
This thought immediately crossed her mind as her consciousness slowly came back to its usual state, still not noticing the fact that she was, at that moment, at some place completely unknown to her.
She slowly opened her eyes.
She could feel the rough and cold surface of the cemented floor. She also noticed the eerie silence that filled the area, as well as the dim light that served as the only source of illumination to the otherwise darkness-filled room.
W-Where am I..?
Her eyes slowly adjusting to her surroundings, Kagura tried to move, but her legs are cramped.. She then tried to slowly get up, and fortunately, she was able to do so.
"Where the hell am I? Why is it so dark in here..?"
She then tried to process in her head everything that happened.
From what she can remember, she and Shinpachi were still at the Yorozuya Gin-chan, waiting for Gin-chan's return. There was a box of ootoro sushi left by a customer in front of their door, and they ate it. Apparently, the food was poisoned that's why Shinpachi got sick, while she, on the other hand, had lost her consciousness. But before she fell unconscious, she caught a glimpse of the culprit's face.
So with all these facts in hand, Kagura realized that…
"So does it mean that we aren't at Gin-chan's anymore?" she finally concluded, and looked around. She then found an unconscious Shinpachi beside her, as well as another creature.
"E-Eli?"
She wondered on why Elizabeth was there with them, but she realized that it was too troublesome to think about it, so she shrugged the thought off. She then looked at the bespectacled boy beside her and tried to wake him up by calling him, but to no avail.
She was handcuffed, so she cannot use both of her hands for the time being. Therefore, she can only use what she has in order to wake him up.
She then stomped her foot onto his face.
"HNGRMPPPPPPHHHH…!"
And Shinpachi woke up.
As if he had been pumped by adrenaline, Shinpachi immediately struggled and squirmed in dissatisfaction, which left Kagura with no other choice but to remove her foot from his face. With her foot finally gone, he then took several deep breaths before he shot her an intense glare.
"KAGURA-CHAN, JUST WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN DOING? DON'T YOU DARE CASUALLY STEP ON OTHER PEOPLE'S FACES! ESPECIALLY MINE!"
Kagura just "tch-ed" at him. "But Shinpachi, you just won't wake up that's why you left me with no other choice, you know?"
"HOW SHOULD I KNOW? AND BESIDES, YOU COULD HAVE JUST TRIED OTHER METHODS OF WAKING ME UP!"
"But we're handcuffed. We are locked in this room. I could not think of anything else to wake you up with."
With those words, Shinpachi had finally come to his senses, and after a few seconds of looking around, he had finally taken grasp of their current situation.
He felt doomed.
"K-Kagura-chan.. you know, I think we're really in a big pinch right now that we shouldn't just talk here casually like this…"
"Hmm? What do you mean by that, Shinpachi? What kind of 'big pinch' are you talking about?"
"What I mean by 'big pinch' is that we're in a dire situation right now, Kagura-chan."
"Really? Why did you say so?"
"Because… we're practically being held captive. That means… we're kidnapped."
Much to Shinpachi's surprise, Kagura suddenly stood up in glee and jumped around. Confused by her actions, he stood up as well and tried to calm off the currently jumping-in-glee Kagura-chan.
"Kagura-chan! What the hell's up with you? That's not the normal reaction for that! You should be crying or worried right now, not jumping happily like a rabbit!"
"B-But Shinpachi!" she then replied with a huge smile on her face, and stopped jumping. "You said that we're kidnapped, right?"
"Well, yeah. We're kidnapped. But that's not something to be happy about."
"But Shinpachi, if we're kidnapped then we're gonna be featured on TV! That's practically the same thing as being famous!"
"WHAT KIND OF TWISTED LOGIC IS THAT? And besides Kagura-chan, it's not like we'll get featured on TV if we got kidnapped or anything.."
"But this feels like we're in a drama or something! Look, we're even handcuffed! And then we'll gonna be saved by Gin-chan, yes? This kind of thing always happens on dramas!"
"Except the fact that this isn't a drama but reality! Mou, Kagura-chan! You should take our situation more seriously! We do not even know where we are right now! And besides, are the two of us the only ones in this room?"
As if hearing his question, a signboard immediately appeared just an inch before his face. Shinpachi, not knowing what to do, inched himself away from the signboard and read it.
[I'm also here as well.]
And before he knew it, a familiar white creature appeared in front of them.
"Aaaaah, Eli! So you're already awake!"
"E-Eli? You mean Elizabeth-san? W-Why is he here?"
Elizabeth then took a glance at the two teens, and raised another signboard.
[I got kidnapped as well.]
"Ah, so you got kidnapped as well! Aren't you glad, Shinpachi? We have someone else in here!"
"That's not something to be glad about, Kagura-chan!" he retorted, before finally looking back at the white creature in front of him. "By the way, Elizabeth-san, do you know where we are right now?"
[I have no idea.]
"Eli, do you know what time it is now?"
[Nope.]
"Elizabeth-san, how long have we been in here?"
[I don't know. I've just woken up.]
"OIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! WE'VE GOT A COMPLETELY USELESS CREATURE RIGHT HERE WITH US! JUST WHAT THE HELL WILL HAPPEN TO US NOOOOOOOWWW?"
"Calm down, Shinpachi. By the way Eli, I have a question for you. Why aren't you handcuffed?"
Shinpachi became silent after hearing that.
[Because there was no handcuff of my size.]
"Ah, I see."
"It's not 'Ah, I see' dammit! Don't tell me you've just realized that now!"
"But we can never know, you know?"
"I DON'T KNOW!"
Realizing that this kind of conversation would get them nowhere, Shinpachi then tried to divert their attention to a question that is more relevant to the situation at hand.
He coughed a little bit in order to get their attention. "I know that we've just woken up and everything, but we need to talk about this sooner or later. Kagura-chan, Elizabeth-san… how can we get out of here?"
He waited for a few seconds for any replies, but nothing came.
Shinpachi heaved a deep sigh. "As I've expected, neither of you have any—"
"Isn't it like this?" remarked Kagura, as she pulled her hands away from each other, until the handcuff was torn into two like a piece of paper. And upon seeing this, Shinpachi was speechless that even he tried to do that, but to no avail.
"K-Kagura-chan..? How did you that..? I've been trying it but it doesn't even budge… But you, on the other hand.."
"I'm a Yato, that's why I'm strong," she replied a matter-of-factly, which pissed off Shinpachi. "Being strong is already set by Sorachi since Volume 1 of the series, yes?"
"STOP BREAKING THE FOURTH WALL WITH THAT!" he retorted, before finally heaving a huge sigh of relief. "But either way, that's great. If you can do that, then can you remove my handcuffs as well?"
"You'll buy me sukonbu afterwards, yes?"
"Why the hell would I buy you sukonbu? I can't even get out of here!"
"If you don't, then I won't remove this."
"Okay, okay! I'll buy you sukonbu as much as you want! Just remove the damned handcuffs!"
And as such, Kagura did what she was told. After being freed from the handcuffs, Shinpachi then looked back at the two.
"Now that we've removed the handcuffs, how could we get out of here?"
"Isn't it like this?" asked Kagura as she kicked the wall with her left foot, destroying the wall in the process. Shinpachi, on the other hand, did not utter a word.
"S-Should I make a tsukkomi? Should I still do that..?"
Kagura then dusted off the dirt out of her clothes, before giving Shinpachi a look of triumph. "Shinpachi, I told you that we'll be able to get off here. You see, I'm—"
"Yeah, I know," he replied back. "You're a Yato, and you're strong since it's already set in your character by that damned gorilla. Ah, this kinda pisses me off…"
XOXOXOX
Tsukuyo and Sacchan, who were still making their way through the West Wing of Aburanokouji, still haven't found any clues as to where Shinpachi and the others are. With both of them being ninjas, it was a tad too easy for them to infiltrate the area without being noticed, and thus, they have successfully infiltrated one of the buildings.
They are now making their way towards the topmost floor of the building that they've just entered.
Their main objective is to get the two Yorozuya back. However, even though she knew that, Tsukuyo cannot help but to feel curious as to what the kunoichi beside her has said before.
And thus, the only way to ease her curiosity was to ask.
"S-Sarutobi," she then said, which took Sacchan's attention. "What are you doing in Nara?"
Sacchan, on the other hand, was surprised upon hearing this.
"W-Why are you asking that, Tsukky? Don't tell me you're interested in me? Just so you know, I'm not interested in women!"
"I'm not either, dammit! And it's nothing like that! Just answer the damn question!"
With this reply, Sacchan then fell silent for a few seconds before she had finally replied. "There are some problems in the Oniwabanshuu," she replied, sighing to herself. "Well, unlike the Hyakka, we aren't actually united but now… it seems that it has gotten worse.."
"I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked…"
Sacchan was about to give her reply until a piece of kunai had suddenly made its way towards the two. Surprised by this, the two kunoichi had let loose a barrage of kunais, only to find no attacker behind them.
Tsukuyo bit her lip. "W-What the hell was that?"
Much to her surprise, Sacchan had jumped to the other side and ran away from her.
"Sarutobi! Just where the hell are you going? Oiiiiiii!"
Hearing this made her stop halfway. She then looked back at Tsukuyo with a serious expression on her face.
"Tsukky, we need to separate for a while now, okay? I still have some businesses to take care of. But I'll catch up with you! We'll find the two of them for sure!"
Before Tsukuyo can even say anything, Sacchan was already gone, leaving the Shinigami Tayuu on her own.
XOXOXOX
Footsteps can only be heard on the ground as two people and one unidentifiable creature had made their way across the hall, finding their way out.
"Oh, so the place where we've been in is a storage room, yes? No wonder it smells like powder in there."
"Powder?"
"Yeah. Gunpowder."
Upon hearing this remark, Shinpachi cannot help but to stop on his tracks and stare at the Yato beside him. "J-Just what did you say? Gunpowder? Just how did you know that it's gunpowder?"
"Ah, that's because I've lived in a storage area full of guns and stuff before. Haven't I told you? It was way before I've even met you and Gin-chan. The syndicate that has been using me before kept a lot of those."
Shinpachi was speechless at this. He didn't even know what to say.
Now uncomfortable with the topic at hand, Shinpachi tried to divert their attention to something else, until he heard someone's voice just from the other side of the wall. He then immediately grabbed Kagura close to him and covered her mouth with his hand, as he tried to eavesdrop on the enemy lines.
"Uehara-sama would certainly be pleased! Hell, if he had managed to do that, then the assassination attempt at that flying ship would certainly be possible!"
Assasination attempt? Flying ship? Just what the hell are these guys saying?
"Of course! And I've even heard that he was in contact with the other squads from the Harusame, as well as the Kiheitai! Taking over the Bakufu would be a piece of cake once this plan happens!"
Harusame and the Kiheitai? This looks bad. It seems that we've gotten ourselves into some dipshit trouble in here… We need to get out of here, fast!
While Shinpachi was lost in thought, Kagura, who was having difficulty in breathing since the former had covered her mouth with his hand, stomped him on the foot, which earned her a yelp from the young samurai. This, in turn, took the Sonjouroushi members' attention on the other side of the wall and with no other choices left, the three of them ran away as fast as they could.
However, much to their surprise, Elizabeth had stepped on some switch which triggered the floor to separate. Noticing this, Elizabeth pushed the two teenagers to safety, while the former was left on the enemy premises.
"E-ELIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"
"ELIZABETH-SENPAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIII!"
The two Yorozuya had stretched both of their arms out in order to get Elizabeth into safety, but it was no use. The gap on the floor that separated them from the white creature only became larger, and much to their surprise, a wall had suddenly appeared right in front of the gap, which made it impossible for them to rescue or even see Elizabeth.
Tears already forming at the sides of her eyes, Kagura tried to knock down the wall, but unlike the other wall earlier, this one did not break.
"Eli… Shinpachi, Eli's in there, we've gotta save him! Let's go back there, I'm worried about Eli!"
Shinpachi knew the truth behind her words. However, he was having qualms on their next course of action. Should they do what she says and go back there to save Eli? Or should they believe in Eli and on what he would probably do at that moment?
He then chose the latter.
"Kagura-chan, let's go. Let's believe in Elizabeth-san, I'm sure he'll be able to handle those guys just fine." He wiped off Kagura's tears with his thumb, and helped her stand up. "Let's find a way outta here. Once we've done that, we'll go back here to save Elizabeth-san, okay?"
The young Yato just nodded, and followed Shinpachi as he ran off towards the next hall. Upon entering the hall, the two Yorozuya were surprised on how beautiful the spectacle is—the place was colorful and of Chinese origin. There were huge red lanterns everywhere, and there was also a statue of a huge dragon that had its head raised up to the heavens. And on top of that statue, much to her horror, was a person whom she did not want to see ever again.
It was a person whom she knew very well.
It was the person who did so many cruel things to her and to the rest of her family.
It was the person whom she feared of meeting again someday.
She then gulped the huge lump on her throat.
"K-Kamui…!"
XOXOXOX
It was now an hour before the start of the state address, and things were getting harder for the Shinsengumi. The roju still hasn't gone out of his room, and this fact only made their problems worse. How the hell would the event start if the person initiating the event still hasn't prepared himself?
Hijikata Toushirou, now accompanied by the Captain of the First Division, Okita Sougo, was now getting perplexed by the second as they kept on waiting for the roju to arrive. It has already been thirty minutes since he had sent Yamazaki to check up on him, so why hasn't he arrived yet?
"Fukuchou! Okita-san! T-This is terrible! Please, listen to me!"
The now-irritated Hijikata glared daggers at Yamazaki. "Just why the hell did you take so long? Where's the roju?"
Okita Sougo, who now looked closely at Yamazaki, noticed how devastated he was. Curiosity getting the best out of him, he then went closer to them and called out his attention.
"Oi, Yamazaki. Tell me, what happened?"
"That's what I was about to tell you. Okita-san, Fukuchou…" Yamazaki took a deep breath. "The roju was—"
The two just stared at him, waiting for what he was about to say.
"The roju was.. found dead in his room just this morning…!"
『つづく』
Notes:
Waka – Young Master
Nmaibo - A corn snack modeled after Umaibo. I've eaten one, and yeah, I really like it. :D
Aburanokouji – The name of this place was gotten from the crossing where the "Incident at Aburanokouji" (the incident where Itou Kashitarou was assassinated) happened. However, only the name was used and the place used in this fic is not in any way similar to the historical one.
The fact that Aburanokouji was only open during holidays was just made up. (Since I've only made that place up, after all.) I've gotten the idea for that from the Imperial Palace in Japan, which was only open to the public during the Emperor's birthday or during other special holidays.
More Author's Notes:
So, how did you find this chapter? Was it good? Or bad? Anyhow, I found the idea of the roju's death quite clichéd, but… I've already thought it out, so I said to myself, "Why not?" Just imagine that the way the roju has died was similar to Aizen's supposed "death" during the Soul Society arc in Bleach. Yeah. Let's just say that the corpse looks similar to that now. *gets shot*
The reason why this fic is so long was because the first arc's Kamui-centric, while the second arc's Takasugi-centric. Now you know what I mean. I don't want to put the two characters in the same arc, since they won't be given the chance to shine if done that way. Yeah.
And oh, I'm planning on doing a Gintoki x Harem fic soon, so if you have any ideas (and if you wanna hear my idea and you want to help me out) then just PM me here!
Next Chapter: "Once you enter a room, always remember that there'll always be someone to welcome you."