A.N.- Not gonna give any half-assed excuse for this really really late update, Gommenasai! Honestly I am sort of lost with this fic... Should've planed it before hand, but I will not drop it before it's complete.
Cover image belongs to my SUGOI Imouto-chan (Happy! n.n) MaryWokas, you can find her on http / mary wokas. deviantart. com without the spaces xDDDDDD
Disclaimer: I wish I owned Gintama but sadly I do not :'( then again I would most likely ruin it xDDD Sorachi Hideaki you're the man...
" Some things never change "
11th Chapter
Okita Sougo was finally back to work - not that he actually ever worked if not when slaying is the task - but still, he was glad to be back on the streets. And for this entire time he had to put up with Mamma Kondo-san hovering around him, an annoying Zaki and the pestilent Mayora. Only yesterday did he got the cast removed from his right arm - at long last! - and though he cannot take on serious missions because he's still recovering from the abdominal wound and shouldn't strain himself too much, he is on the clear for patrol duty.
And right now he is on patrol - or he should be - it's more like he's searching for a good spot to rest/slack his day away. If this was Kabuki District he would simply walk to the park and lay down in his usual bench, but that wasn't the case. This morning his disgustingly annoying Vice-Commander assigned him to a less troublesome area, claiming that Sougo was still recovering and needed to take it easy. He's sadistic underling knew that that wasn't his real reason.
He surely wouldn't complain - out loud that is - this way he can take his nap and it will not be considered skipping his work, since there is nothing for him to do in the first place. He has to remember to thank Hijibaka-san later - two bear traps instead of just one sounds like a good way to do so -even though the mayonnaise bastard did not sent him here because of his health but to keep the 1st Division Captain away from Kabuki and a certain orange haired someone, the truth was that he, The Sadistic Prince Okita Sougo was also doing everything in is power to avoid that someone too - not that he understood why - and this place was the perfect hideout, without seeming one.
Somehow the Raven haired guy was trying really hard to keep them as far apart as he could, his persistence and animosity toward the Yato was visible, deep and very very new. It's not like he was the one she almost wiped out from earth, so why is the teme so worked up. Okita had found out - trough poor Zaki and some questionable methods - what had happen in the Hospital with China. Everyone seem to have made a pact not to talk or mention anything related to the "incident" as it has been labeled - which only added to the grudge and hate he felt for the older man - and he sincerely thought that his superior had lost it completely.
So here he is now, patrolling - aimlessly wandering - stuck around Niji[1] District. To say that this place is less troublesome, it's an absolute understatement. This place is the hell hole of boredom, there is nothing, NOTHING to be cautious or on the look out for, being mostly a residential neighborhood, the patriot factions do not operate around here, and since it was almost midday most of the the houses were vacant, and there were only a few grocers and convenience shops uptown, it was too quiet and too peaceful.
Three weeks had pass, three long, slow and nerve wracking weeks since Sougo got his ass kicked by his rival on that fateful October afternoon that somehow changed something in him. From the moment he realized that she was back from space, he had been itching to spar with the Yato descendent and see for himself the results of her so called training, and of course set some old scores all of which favoured him. And he has never been one to give up on what he wants, once he sets his mind on it, even if it has to be by force.
And by force it was, without hesitation he went for it, pressing and pushing her over an invisible edge that he still can't figure out, until he got what he wanted and obviously a whole lot more as she suddenly and unpredictably snapped - His fault, his goddamned fault - leaving him half-dead in a hospital bed, something that had never happened before. Not that he regrets his actions or what came of them - to a certain extent that is - he had been warned by her, he had always gloated himself for being superior to a Clanswoman of the strongest tribe in the universe - a shorty, braty and clearly inexperience girl - though a Yato none-the-less, but she rendered him speechless and that was highly uncommon, she was definitely the strongest one and somehow it didn't affected him the way he thought it would, the way it should have. He wasn't dying for a rematch or plotting his revenge, he was actually quite content and proud of her achievements and improvements.
But something had gone wrong, oh so terribly wrong that day, he was sure of it, he could feel it. He couldn't put his finger into what it was exactly, but he knew that that wasn't supposed to have happen. Whenever the image of her wicked grin and emotionless eyes - so cold and void of every recollection and innocence they usualy display - the killing intent sipping from her pores so palpable and intense, all of which directed to him, HIM. Every time that image flashed in his head it created a lump on his throat that was getting bigger and bigger with each day and a heartburn feeling, so strong and constricting, always reminding him of his role, his guilt in this mess.
That picture had nothing, absolutely nothing to do with that foul mouth, feisty kid that he liked to mock from so long ago, or the smiling young girl with soft features that he saw in the store, and the sneaky and teasing monkey from that night, it had nothing to do with his China girl.
Sougo was immerse in his thoughts, something that he had been doing a lot lately, when he absentmindedly reached a place acceptably good enough for him to pause/sleep for a while - meaning, the remainder of his shift - it was a small grassy field with some shading trees scattered here and there, at the edge of a small and calm crystal clear river, that ran smoothly despite the fact that had been raining non-stop for the past three weeks.
The back of the near houses faced and connected with the river, though the riverbank was as secluded and quiet as the whole District. Laying down on the grass under a large tree that protected him from this pleasant sunny day, watching the branches sway with the breeze, he allowed himself to drift to that one memory that kept popping up in his head.
That night, it seemed to have been so long ago and yet was still so fresh on his senses, how many times has he replayed it in his mind view. That mocking and melodic voice coming from the darkness that was his room, turning to a desperate and strangled low tone. The way she lunged at him - her eyes had shifted there for a while, he was sure that that was a sign of whatever was happening with her - the way he gain the upper hand and the suggestive position they were in, she did not fight back, she could have but she didn't.
No matter what he can't shake her out of his thoughts - not that he is trying hard to - and his own body isn't cooperating either, whenever he recalls what went on in that dark room and wonders about what might have happen if she hadn't left so abruptly after touching his wound, his skin heats up and his heartbeat races as never before. He can still feel her every touch in a ghost like sensation.
Her lips so incredibly soft and warm, caressing and locked on his rougher ones, it felt so right. Her small, strong and eager hands roaming from his hair to his upper body and the way her body felt under his touch sent electricity waves through his skin. The energy rush that coursed through his veins and the urgency to be as close as they possibly could never relenting their kiss as if it was a life line, was confusing for him. He had been with many women, simply because, and he never craved to touch, to be with them as he now felt for this monster girl. The way her silky hair and her creamy skin smelled - everything had her scent now - and her taste - nothing tasted as sweet now-a-days - still lingered in him and were engraved in his memory.
Somehow and for reasons that he had not yet been able to identifie, something had certainly changed within himself he was different, but he did not feel different per say. China, she has the answers to it all and he is not comfortable with it, he surely dislikes when things are not under his control. He always held the upper hand, in battle and life never letting his guard down, but right now he has no control and this is why he has kept is distance, hoping that this way things will eventual get back to normal, but these freaking foreign feelings unsettle him to no end.
Usually he would simply seek her out blowing the brat up from whatever hole she was, and then they would settle the matters - most of which were inexistent - by sparing until they were either exhausted or hungry. This time he can't, this time he won't do it that way, because for the first since he can remember Sougo is at a complete loss at what should be his next move, or if he even needed, wanted to move.
He was the one who started this shitty mess, they both had let the other get to them, she might claim to hate him but she was the one arrested for trying to see him over and over again, he pulled her strings in order to get his fight, but now she's acting of her own free will. She was the one who sneaked in his room and she was the one who kissed him, first. What should he do? What is he supposed to do? What did this all meant? Did it have a meaning? Why did she left?, " HUUUGH! Why do I even care " he growled, pressing his eyes shut and feeling utterly frustrated.
" Constipation is a bitch huh, Souchiro-kun " the dragged and bored voice startled him with the sudden proximity, but Okita did not let it show " What brings you to Niji? ".
" Danna, I'm clearly on duty " the sandy haired spoke " And it is my job to inquire you as to what are you doing in this hell hole? " he asked never opening his eyes or sitting straight.
" Free food, and a Devil woman rage fit " Sakata Gintoki dryly replied, shivering slightly at the remembrance, " Why again are you slacking around here instead of the usual spot, Madao misses you " he asked the younger man, sitting down by the river stream.
" Someone has to do rounds in this place too " he deadpanned " It's a complex thing called "to work" ya know " he added.
" Ignorance is bliss, sometimes " the natural permed retorted, " Though I'm quite sure that you are not supposed to sleep while "working" " his dead fish eyes set on the running waters.
" Danna I believe that you must be on your last days " the young officer dullishly spoke, folding his arm over his closed eyes, " I wish you a painful and... " he was cut out short.
" Oi you pest! If you want to take a shit go do it far away from my sight " Gintoki exclaimed, " I ain't picking that up, no plastic bag is big enough to pick that up " he kept ranting finally gaining Sougo's attention.
Opening his eyes and sitting up, Okita then saw the Yorozuya Boss sitting close to the river, and a little further away was a humongus white fured dog, China's beloved pet. Discreetly he looked around, searching for anyone else, searching for her... Yes he was in deed avoiding her - only Kami knows why - but if she was to show up in here of all places, what could he do.
" ...a-kun, So...un " Sougo could hear the other man's voice in the distance, as he was again lost in thoughts, focusing in the voice he turned to him, " Danna? " he asked.
" Sofa-kun is your brain dying already, what a shame you are still so young! " the silver haired feigned preoccupation, " I was asking you if Oogushi-kun is also looming around? " he finished staring at the 1st division Captain.
" Sougo desu. Dare ka?[2] " a confused Okita asked.
" The dog food eater freak " Gintoki spat out, " Is the bastard around? " he questioned tediously but somewhat serious.
" Hijibaka-san? No, he's at the HQ " he replied, still not fully understanding the change in subject.
" Is he now " the lazy samurai said grinning, " And he does know that you are here? " he asked turning his head to look at the giant dog, that was digging a giant hole.
" My dearest superior assigned me to this quiet area for health issues " the sandy haired deadpanned, " And unofficially to prevent any inconvenient confrontations with a beastly alien, who resides in Kabuki " he added, his crimson eyes locked in the swaying trees.
" Naruhodo![3] " his grin turned to a wide and devious smirk, " Tell me Souchiro-kun what do you say about coming with me to a boring birthday lunch? " Gintoki asked raising to his feet.
" HUH " Sougo let out, mixed-up.
" SADAHARU! THE STROLL IS OVER, HURRY UP OR I'LL LEAVE YOU OUT ON THE STREET " the silver permed shouted at the alien dog, walking past Okita and towards the back door of one of the houses that overlooked the river.
" I don't think I should be attending party's while on duty " Sougo spoke, " You're a bad influence on me Danna " he responded also getting up, a dreadful feeling creeping up all over his senses, he knew with every fiber of his being that China was close by.
Opening a door on a wooden fence and allowing the dog to go inside first, Gintoki then turned to the Shinsengumi officer who was walking in his direction and said " Welcome to Miss Yato Kagura's residence " giving the other man passage.
' Miss!?... Residence!?... ' was all that he retained as he stopped dead in his tracks, ' I knew it, she's here... And since when does the bitch owns a house?... What does she needs a house for?... ' he thought staring at the wide open door before him.
" Coming or not? " the other man asked, making his way inside as he felt Okita's hesitancy " Whatever is that you decide, close the door will ya. I don't want to be chasing that monster dog again " and he was gone.
Okita Sougo stood still, not moving and apparently not breathing either. This was an unexpected situation and definitely not supposed to happen, after all why the hell had he take on Hijibasterd's orders and come to this freaking place for. And without so much as the tiniest of efforts he had found the wasps nest, and now he had he had to decide, would he step in and deal with whatever all this was or step aside and leave things as they are.
Reasons, motives, obstacles and consequences are minor, petty details they have always been. He is expressionless, emotionless, soulless, he fears and loves no one, not anymore. He's solely a well craft sword, never bending or breaking, no cares, no regrets, he dives head on and comes out undefeated. So why, why does he fear and refuse what his body and mind scream for, why is he running and denies the importance and meaning that this one girl suddenly holds over his numb heart and lifeless life.
The choice was his and his alone, either walk inside get his answers and face whatever demons and doubts he has once and for all. He knows that if he does decide to walk away now this door will close forever, but if he enters, so many new doors may open for him and he is unsure if he even wants to see what they hide. Since when has The Prince of Sadist become so uncertain of his actions and weak willed of his beliefs, this is nothing like him.
Closing is eyes and taking a deep breath, ' This is it Sougo, how's it gonna be... Will you man up, or keep running with you tail between your legs like a scary little bitch?... ', releasing his breath he open his crimson eyes, locking them on the clear blue sky, in this November morning.
A.N.- To enter or not to enter, that is the question xDDDD
So... What do you think? Did I screw this chap big time? Was it confusing? I feel like it come out all wrong!
Anyway, thank you so so much for your support and for sticking around xDDDD
I'll try and update sooner... No promises okay :D
[1] Niji - rainbow
[2] Dare ka - who?
[3] Naruhodo - I see
Ja na!
murasakiana n.n