Disclaimer: The characters of Gintama belong to Sorachi Hideaki. :)

Authors Note: Hey! I'm back! I wanted to post this sooner, but I had no motivation to write, well I didn't really need to get motivated… I'm in serious pain, because I got… BRACES. Damn, these things hurt like hell! Enjoy chapter 20!

Chap 20. It's Sad How Sometimes People Can't See Your Pain

"Then I will eliminate quickly." Nobume whispers, emotionlessly.

Isaburo nods. "That would be best…" He whispers, pointing his sword forward. He smiles at Takasugi's glaring face.

The elder rips out the bullet with a groan. "Why does it hurt so damn bad…?" The elder's eyes widen as he feels his hand go stiff. He chuckles, slowing looking up at the approaching Isaburo. "Well that wasn't nice…"

Isaburo sighs tiredly. "It's a pinpoint paralysis. Lucky for you it won't spread." He raises his gun, his eyes menacing. "But I can make it spread."

The elder narrows his eyes. "This is a fight between the Shiroyasha and me. Why are you interfering?"

Isaburo chuckles. "I just wanted to make your death a little less painful."

The elder sets his jaw. "Thanks for your consideration, but I think I'm fine. I'll be able to finish it quickly."

Isaburo tilts his head. "Quickly, huh?" He glances over at Gintoki who was picking his nose watching them with his usual bored expression. He smirks. "Well then, to all the amanto of the universe. Especially you… my condolences." He lowers his gun, turning to Gintoki. He smiles. "Sakata Gintoki. Don't hold back." He chuckles. "You have a tendency to do that without realizing." With that he walks away, into the masses of amanto. Their numbers quickly waning.

The elder smiles at Gintoki. "Ready to finish this Shiroyasha?"

Gintoki blinks, digging his pinkie in his ear. "Blah, Blah, Blah. You keep talking. Didn't you want to kill me?"

The elder's eye twitches. "You're in no position to make fun of me."

Gintoki tilts his head. "Make fun of you? Just statin the truth, you asshole. If you want to kill me, get on with it." He smirks, a daring look in his eye. "If you have the guts."

The elder grits his teeth in anger. Bending over to grab the knife with his other hand. "You dead would make this world so much better!" He screams, charging forward.

"Shogun- dono!" Kondo screams.

The Shogun throws the elder back, so that he can smile at Kondo and Hijikata who were supporting Sougo. "Hey, you finally made it inside."

Kondo sighs. "Shogun- dono. Why are you fighting? You could have gotten killed."

Shogun frowns. "I told you to call me Sho- kun. Besides, I would never back down from a fight. Especially one that's main target is my friend."

"Shogun- do-… I mean Sho- kun, it'd be bad if you died." Kondo says carefully.

Shogun chuckles. "I'd happily disappear from this world if I died helping a friend."

Kondo smiles. "You really are fit to be the Shogun."

Shogun smiles. "Enough of the nice words. Let's finish this soon." He turns the elder's sword clashing against his.

Kondo glances at Sougo. "Can you move at all?"

Sougo nods slowly, slipping his arms off of Kondo and Hijikata's shoulders. He smiles, unsheathing his sword. "I'll be fine…" He shakes his head, looking around with glazed eyes. "Can't believe this is all because of boss. Then again he's pretty popular with people wanting to kill him."

Hijikata smiles. "Yeah, but that guy changed the mindset of most."

Kondo chuckles. "Okay, we can admire Yorozuya when this shit ends."

Hijikata scowls. "Who the hell would admire that white-haired bastard?"

Sougo chuckles. "Hijikata- san's in denial."

Hijikata raises an eyebrow. "Denial of what?"

Sougo smirks. "Your lo-"

Kondo hits Sougo on the back of his head. "Enough Sougo, we don't have time."

Hijikata unsheathes his sword. "You were about to say love weren't you?"

Sougo frowns, an innocent look on his face. "What do you mean Hijikata- san?" He smiles sadistically. "It's true, right?"

Hijikata raises his sword in blind fury. "Do you want to die, you sadistic bastard?!"

"Toshi!" Kondo screams, stopping Hijikata's movements. "I said we don't have the time. You guys can kill each other after we're done here."

Hijikata and Sougo nod once, glaring at each other. They all turn to face the amanto.

Kamui jumps in the air coming down to smash the first squad captain's face in the marble stairs. Kamui smiles taking a step back. Bending down he grabs the captain by his neck, lifting him in the air. Kamui sighs in disappointment. "That was boring. I thought you'd want to fight some more."

The captain coughs. He smiles slowly. "You think I stopped fighting?" He grins, lifting his legs up, kicking Kamui in the chest. Kamui gasps, falling back. The captain does a flip, landing on his feet. He smirks. "The great captain of the strongest squad in the Harusame was caught off guard by me? I'm so honored." He says mockingly.

Kamui chuckles. "Honored? The greatest honor for you is getting killed by me."

The captain smiles. "No one is bothered by your threats anymore. All the Harusame believe that you've grown soft."

"Oh, really?" Kamui scoffs. "Even after all these captains and lieutenants I've killed?"

The captain smirks. "Killed? You had help. You could have killed all of them yourself before you made that alliance with that samurai…" He laughs. "Wait, no. Way before that. It was when you met Sakata Gintoki. You were intent on killing him and only him. Now look at you. Fighting on his side. It's pathetic."

Kamui tilts his head, an amused look in his eye. "So it matters what side I'm on? Didn't know strength was measured that way. Joining his side was the best choice that I've made."

The captain laughs. "Not only did you become weak, you became a sentimental fool."

Kamui closes his eyes, his trademark fake smile adorning his face. "You know…" Kamui starts, walking forward. "You're really starting to piss me off."

The captain chuckles nervously. "Like I said-…"

Kamui laughs, cutting him short. "Said what?" He opens his eyes slowly, his eyes icy blue. He stops in front of the captain. "You said you weren't afraid of my threats. Well…" He smirks sadistically. "Nothing I say is a threat." He raises his fist. His eyes bloodthirsty. Blood splatters through the air.

Isaburo tilts his head. "Yo…"

Takasugi glares at him. "What are you doing here?"

Isaburo smirks. "What does it look like? I'm helping an acquaintance." He raises an eyebrow. "Did you think I was on your side or something? Takasugi… I do want to see this world destroyed, but then again I keep having second thoughts… ever since Sakata Gintoki moved the Shogun to almost resign. He even had his influence on Nobume."

Takasugi smirks. "So you're just like the others. Someone says some sappy words to you and you join their side."

Isaburo chuckles. "Join their side? Takasugi… I'm on no one's side. I'm more of a person to stand at the sidelines and watch how things play out. It's more entertaining that way."

Takasugi chuckles. "So, you're looking for entertainment?" He unsheathes his sword, glaring at Isaburo. "I'll give you entertainment."

Isaburo sighs. "I don't want to fight a friend of Sakata Gintoki."

Takasugi's eyes darken, he smiles, chuckling insanely. "Friend…? Is that how you see people I'm trying to kill?" He smiles menacingly. "Then can I call you a friend?" With that he runs forward, catching Isaburo's raised sword in a sparking of metal.

Isaburo throws Takasugi back, both landing on their feet. Isaburo smirks. "I get it now. The reason for you wanting to kill Sakata Gintoki."

Takasugi smirks. "Really now? Enlighten me."

Isaburo tilts his sword to the side as if admiring the gleaming metal. "I heard about that one man you called sensei and how the Tendoshuu killed him. Tragic, I think… Is it because Sakata Gintoki lives such a carefree life and doesn't think of the one you call Yoshida Shouyou? I always wondered what caused the pain behind Sakata Gintoki's dead eyes. Not many can see it."

Takasugi chuckles. "Pain? That carefree idiot doesn't know pain."

Isaburo rubs the back of his head with his hand. "I believe he knows it better than you do, Takasugi." He smiles. "You guys are exactly the opposite." Takasugi narrows his eyes. "Sakata Gintoki who started with nothing, came out with everything. Takasugi Shinsuke who started with everything, came out with nothing." He tilts his head. "Does that sound about right?" Takasugi's eye widens. Before he can say anything someone screams his name.

"Shinsuke!" Bansai screams, running up to him. "There are not many amanto left."

Takasugi closes his eye in irritation. "Bansai… Get Takechi and Matako. We're leaving."

Bansai's eyes widen. "We're retreating again?"

"Yes…" Takasugi says quietly, a bemused look in his eye. Bansai nods, running off to find them.

Isaburo tilts his head. "Leaving already?"

Takasugi smirks, sheathing his sword and taking out his kiseru, setting it against his lips. "You said you wouldn't fight me. There's no excitement in a fight where one doesn't fight with heart content."

Isaburo sighs. "True, but I'm not the one you really want to fight with. That's why I don't want to fight you. Your mind is not in the right place right now."

Takasugi smiles. "The one I want to fight is always preoccupied."

Isaburo shrugs. "Well he's a popular guy."

"I don't think people wanting to kill him is popularity." Takasugi says blowing out a wisp of smoke from his kiseru.

Isaburo laughs, sheathing his sword. He reaches down, pulling his gun from his holster. "Guess you're right." He smiles. "Well Takasugi… Can't wait to see what you have planned next." He chuckles, turning around. He walks to where Nobume was slashing down amanto left and right. Sougo having joined her.

Takasugi chuckles an eager glint in his eye. "Believe me. You don't want to see what I have planned next."

The elder grits his teeth in anger as his sword misses Gintoki again.

Gintoki smirks as the elder swings his sword again at Gintoki's head. Gintoki ducks, bringing his sword up he slashes it across the elder's chest, cutting deep. He cries out, jumping back. He bends over, blood pouring out of his mouth. Gintoki smirks. "Shouldn't leave yourself open like that."

The elder glares at Gintoki, breathing heavily. "S-Sakata Gintoki… You fighting me would assure your death by the amanto all over the world. Why do you welcome death?! Fighting with all your strength! Gaining nothing in return! Why do you fight?! Why can't you just die?! Or are you afraid?"

Gintoki tilts his head. "I'm not afraid of dying… I just don't want to leave the things I'm trying to protect." He sighs. "The things that I'm trying to protect are the things I've gained through all this pain. Most of them I'll never come to understand. I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I ended up where I needed to be." Gintoki points his sword at the elder. "You prevent me from protecting those things. You want to know why I fight? It gives me strength to have somebody to fight for; I can never fight for myself, but… for others I can kill." Gintoki grins.

Authors Note: Hey! The last words Gintoki says is a quote by Emilie Autumn. Also "I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I ended up where I needed to be" is a quote by Douglas Adams. Hope you liked it! Look forward to next chapter!