Street War – Epilogue

Sougo watched in annoyance, his eyes trained on the girl in front of him. Though I can hardly call her a 'girl', anymore.

It had been two years since the truce between the Yorozuya and the Shinsengumi. He had long since graduated from high school and was now in his second year at university. Kagura, on the other hand, was studying for her entrance exams. Surprisingly, she had matured a lot in the past two years. She had let her hair grow out, and carried herself with an air of grace that he never knew she could have. She even studied, now, which was the most surprising part of all. Supposedly, according to what he had heard along the grapevine, she wanted to be able to get a proper job to give back to Gintoki for having taken care of her for all these years.

However, though Kagura may have matured in the past two years, nothing had matured in terms of their relationship with one another. If anything, there had been regress. After the big fight between the Yorozuya and the Shinsengumi, both Sougo and Kagura were too stubborn to speak any further about their feelings to one another. Their conversations grew shorter and their time together lessened as Sougo became busy with university life and Kagura became engrossed in her studies. In addition, both Hongou and Soyo had gone abroad – Hongou's case being that he needed to be admitted to a larger hospital while Soyo's family was expanding their influence internationally. While they still kept in contact, the absence of these two pillars of the 'Okita Sougo and Sakata Kagura Should Date Committee' meant that two years flew past without anything starting between the young rivals.

It was by complete chance that he had happened upon Kagura in the large metropolitan library. Sougo had needed a reference book for an assignment, and was leafing through a bookshelf when he saw her bright, vermillion hair on the other side of the room. He had sauntered slowly over to where she was sitting, her back hunched over a textbook as she wrote notes in the exercise book beside it. She had placed a set of headphones over her ears and likely hadn't heard him over her music. Picking a relevant reference book off the bookshelf, he moved to sit opposite her. The library tables were rather wide, so he was quite sure that he would be able to sit without being in her field of vision. He opened his reference book and made an attempt to read it before his eyes drifted back to Kagura.

"Hey, China, I know it's been two years and we've barely spoken to each other but I still like you". Oh, yeah. That'll go down well. Sougo sighed and shifted his gaze back down to his reference book. His eyes flitted across the letters aimlessly, his pride and stubbornness preventing him from doing anything that might make a fool out of him. He vaguely wondered if she might still like him, or if some guy from school had already caught her eye. Another sigh left his mouth as he rested his cheek against his palm, his eyes slowly closing. I wish we could go back to beating the crap out of each other. At least she would look at me, back then.

When Kagura's eye caught the light streaming in from the window shift from a glowing yellow to a warm sunset-orange, her hands automatically began moving to gather her study materials. After having packed all her books and stationery into her bag, she removed her headphones and was met by the sound of someone's light snores. Looking up, she was surprised to find Okita Sougo taking a nap in front of her, his head rested upon his crossed arms and his shoulder-length hair slightly disentangled from his short ponytail. How long has he been here? Taking a few moments to calm herself, Kagura snidely noted that he was much more tolerable when he was asleep compared to when he was awake.

However, it was nearing the library's closing time and Kagura did not feel like dealing with Sougo's whining if she never woke him up and he got in trouble. He had obviously seen her, after all. Whether or not he had meant for her to see him was another matter.
"Oi, Okita," she quietly called out. There was no response.
"Okita?" Kagura walked over to his side of the table and gently removed the reference book that he had been using as a pillow from beneath him. As she placed it back on the shelf, she called out to him again.
"Okita, wake up. The library is closing." This time, he grumbled something inaudible. Feeling a little impatient, Kagura pulled his chair from under him. Falling on his butt resulted in the desired effect of waking him up and, satisfied, Kagura slid the chair back underneath the table.
"Come on, Okita – library's closing," she announced, draping her bag across her shoulder and turning in the direction of the door. "Time to go."

When she did not feel movement from the older boy, Kagura halted her walk and sent a tired glance back over her shoulder.
"You coming or not?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at his stupefied expression. Without much other choice, Sougo dusted himself off and followed her lead. As they left the building, he turned to down at Kagura.
"Since when did you start calling me 'Okita'?" he asked, fixing his hair back into its ponytail. "That's kind of gross, don't you think?"
Kagura chose to not turn towards him.
"Well, it's about time that I grow out of my childish habits." Sougo walked alongside her in silence. Is that all you've grown out of, China?

Deciding to pick a different topic, Sougo turned his head back towards the direction they were walking.
"So, what's with the books?" he began. "Last I remembered, you were at the bottom of your class."
"Yeah, well, things change," Kagura answered, flicking her long hair over her shoulder. While her curt responses and despondent attitude may have been deemed as a nice 'challenge' for some, Sougo was not feeling it. He had overcome all the 'challenges' two years ago, he reasoned. Isn't it supposed to be smooth sailing from here on?

As they walked, Sougo noticed an empty park to their right. And, because he was in absolute control of his emotions, he promptly tripped Kagura and watched her break her fall by somersaulting onto the grass. I guess she hasn't let all of her skills dull.
"Oi, what's the big idea, Okita?" she shouted, glaring up at the older boy through her bangs.
"C'mon," he taunted, removing his bag and grabbing her dropped one, placing both on the park bench. "For old times-ing!"
"Hah?!"
With that, Sougo quickly jumped and launched a barrage of light attacks against Kagura. If she won't look at me, I'll make it so she can't look away.

As she dodged his hits, Kagura felt an energy build up within her that she had not felt for a very long time. Straight right, round-house to the shin, jump, uppercut. The more hits Sougo sent her way, the more Kagura began to lose herself to the heat of the battle. After a few minutes, she stopped her defensive strategy and dropped to the grass. In half a second, Kagura had managed to roll and send a round-house kick to the back of Sougo's knees. Surprised at Kagura's sudden movement, the older boy tripped and fell in a heap to the ground as his opponent leapt backwards off the grass in order to gain a bit of distance. With a swift motion, Kagura pulled her hair-tie off her wrist and quickly pulled her long hair into a bun.
"If you're asking to get pummelled, Sadist, that can be arranged!" she shouted.

Hours passed as the two sparred against one another. It was well into the night when the two finally ended up sprawled on the grass, completely out of breath. Sougo looked over at the bench where he had left their belongings to find both of their phones lit up, blinking with numerous notifications. Probably all asking where the hell we are. Deciding that he should probably get Kagura home before her father sent out a search party and hired an assassin for her kidnapper, Sougo stood up and slowly walked over to where Kagura was lying on the grass. Offering her a hand, he called out to her.

"C'mon, we'd better get home," Sougo said, shaking his hand in Kagura's direction. "It's pretty late."
She looked up at him, her bun mostly unravelled due to the intensity of their sparring session. Slowly, she reached up for his hand and, without any warning, pulled him down onto the ground with her. He grunted as his back hit the grass and he brought his hand up to rub against the back of his head. Turning his head slightly, he glared at the girl by his side.
"China?" he grumbled.
"Shut up for a minute, Sadist," she spoke calmly. "The night is actually kind of nice if you quit your yipping for a bit."
He gave her a look before closing his eyes. She's right. It was a cool, summer night and the breeze was a welcome feeling against his skin after his brawl with Kagura.

"So, what happened to growing out of your childish habits and not calling me 'Sadist', anymore?" Sougo teased, resting his head against his arm as he watched Kagura narrow her eyes at him.
"Ah, and here I thought you might just shut up for the rest of the night." Sighing, she sat up and moved towards the park bench to grab her belongings. Sougo slowly sat up and followed moments afterward. When a few more minutes of silence had passed, Kagura spoke up again.
"I have my own reasons for doing what I do."

Sougo swung his bag over his shoulder, searching his brain for a light-hearted response to Kagura's statement.
"Hm?" he hummed. "What, you trying to nab a guy or something?"
Kagura smirked.
"I guess you aren't as dumb as you look." Shit.
"Y-Yeah? Bet'cha he isn't as good looking as I am, though." Kagura turned and gave him an amused look.
"Nah," she chuckled. "I'd say he is."
What? Sougo breathed in deeply. Regroup, regroup. She thinks I'm good looking? Fuck, get yourself together.
"I heard you were doing this for the Yorozuya boss, though," Sougo added, hoping to save himself. "I must say, he's decent, but he isn't as good looking as I am."
"Hm," Kagura murmured. "Well, you're not wrong about this being partly related to Gin-chan. He's not the guy I'm referring to, though."

Dreading her next answer, Sougo gulped down his nervousness and persisted.
"T-then," he cursed at himself for stuttering. "Who is it?"
Kagura stopped, causing Sougo to crash into her back. When she turned back to face him, her cheeks were slightly pink and she narrowed her eyes at him. His body relaxed at the familiarity with which her expression brought.
"Look in a goddamn mirror." With that, she stalked off and left Sougo a little dazed. However, after registering her words in his brain, he recovered quickly and raced to catch up to her.

Once he had gotten within a metre of Kagura's back, he pounced and enveloped her with his large frame. In no time, he was effectively weighing the girl down by draping himself onto her back.
"Could it be that you were studying this hard to try to get into my uni?" he exclaimed, not the least bit concerned with whether or not Kagura would be able to support his weight. I'd be surprised if she weren't able to carry me. A grunt was the only reply he got from the girl beneath him as she dragged his weight – in addition to her books – home.
"Wait," he suddenly shouted out, practically strangling Kagura with his grip. "So you still like me?"
Another grunt.
"I like you, too, oi! Does this mean we can beat the crap out of each other again?"

This time, her grunt was accompanied by something that sounded like "wasn't this guy meant to be a sadist?"
"My offer to marry you still stands, you know?" Sougo continued.
"Make me food and we've got a deal."
"Eh – come on, Mrs Piggy! You'll get fat if you eat too much, you know?" Kagura's eye twitched at his response.
"Can we break up now, please?" she half-begged, half-demanded.
"It's been two minutes." Kagura stopped walking.
"Could you also, you know, get off my back?" Sougo's grip tightened.
"Nope."

When Kagura – eventually – made her way home, she was met at the front door by a very worried Gintoki.
"Young lady, do you have any idea what time it is-?!" Then, he noticed the very familiar face draped on his daughter's back.
"What are you-?" he began to ask.
"Uh, good evening, dad?" Sougo interjected.

Kagura's palm met her face. Gintoki's foot made similar contact to Sougo's face. Only the impact was harder. Much harder.

Author's Note

And that, my friends, is really the end! Thank you so much for your support all the way through.

I don't know when I'll next write a story, nor do I know if the story will be an OkiKagu, but we'll see when the time comes eh? (Though, to be honest, I'm so in love with the OkiKagu pairing my next fic probably will be an OkiKagu. And since Gintama isn't the kind of manga that I expect romance from, well I can only have my imagination. Eheh.)

Fun bit of trivia: I was inspired to write this story after reading Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus. It goes absolutely nothing the same, but I really liked the whole idea of the Romeo and Juliet romance and how the lovers are on opposing teams. I just decided to give it more of a Gintama twist, and… Well, I wasn't gonna kill off our adorable main characters like Shakespeare did, so here we are! The Night Circus was also a bit of a fun read, so give it a go if you ever get the chance.

Well then, guys – until next time!