Chapter 35

The next day Gintoki and Shinpachi spent the entire morning cleaning up the apartment because it was too dirty for Gintoki to reside in.

Shinpachi wiped sweat off his forehead, "It looks a lot better now Gin-san. It almost looks like what it used to."

"Yeah it does. By the way I heard Kagura's alien hunting with badly how is she doing?"

"Kagura-chan's doing great. After you left she hasn't been visiting earth as much but she still comes time to time."

"Damn brat is a big shot now huh."

Right then the door slammed open and someone walked in.

"Who are you calling a brat-aru?"

Shinpachi was shocked. "K-Kagura-chan! You're back!"

Kagura grew taller and her hair was longer. Her body has also developed well like her mother's. She was no longer wearing her red dress but a white one.

"Ah Shinpachi. Eh? Gin-chan?" She ran towards Gintoki and kicked him. "Gin-chan where were you-aru?! Do you know how many people worried about you-aru?!"

"K-Kagura-chan that's not the Gin-san from our time. He's ten years younger!"

"Eh? He's ten years younger-aru?"

"Yes, yes."

Kagura took a seat on the couch and started picking her nose. "I heard from gran that you were back so I rushed up here uh-huh. The place looks a lot cleaner than I last came yes."

Gintoki coughed from the kick. "When was the last time you even came here?!"

"A month ago uh-huh."

"A month ago?! Don't you think you could've cleaned up the place then!"

"Nah, no one's coming in here anyways, yes? It's been awhile since we last had a job, yes?"

Somehow Gintoki had a sinking feeling in his heart. He knew Kagura and Shinpachi wouldn't always be by his side but seeing it play out in reality hurt him. "Well, I have a job."

"We have a job-aru? What is it-aru?"

"Our job is to find my older self."

"Finding older Gin-chan-aru?! This is a job I can get behind uh-huh! Older Gin-chan needs some buttkicking, yes! He left Tsukki and Gintaro behind and Mayora took them-aru!" Kagura realized what she said, gasped, and quickly covered her mouth. "O-Oops…"

"It's okay Kagura, I already know the whole story. I actually met Tsukuyo and Gintaro too." He softly smiled and patted her head, "Thanks for thinking about me though. Now let's get planning and start hunting."

Kagura had a huge smile on her face, "Yatta! I can finally show off my hunting skills uh-huh!"

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It was lunchtime and Gintoki decided to stock up on some strawberry milk and ingredients since Kagura was back and staying for awhile to help him out. After buying everything he decided to go grab a quick bite. He was in the mood for some of his special red-bean over rice. He entered the restaurant and took off his hat.

The owner looked much older and greeted her customer, "Wel-. Areh if it isn't Gin-san. It's been awhile how have you been?"

"I've been good, I want the usual please."

"Coming right up!"

Another person stepped in and the owner turned to greet the customer, "Wel-. Oh Hijikata-san how are you? Ara is that little Tsumiki? Hello!"

Tsumiki waved, "Hello~"

Tch, what bad timing.

Hijikata saw Gintoki and sat two seats away from him and put Tsumiki on his lap. "I'm good. I got the day off and she wanted to tag along with me."

"Ah she's daddy's little girl isn't she? Do you want the usual?"

"Yeah."

The owner was busy cooking. Gintoki and Hijikata sat in silence.

Eventually Hijikata spoke up, "What are you doing here?"

"Trying to grab a bite."

"I didn't mean that. I meant why are you still here in this time period. You should've been gone by now."

"I have a job to do. I'm going to finish the job and then leave."

"Don't tell me you're actually going to go looking for your older self. Give it up he hasn't been seen anywhere these past five years. Leave. Or are you trying to be sly and try to steal Tsukuyo back?"

"I'm not going to give up. I made a promise to Tsukuyo. I'm going to track his ass down and give him a good beating for everyone. You're pretty slick yourself you know. I thought you only had eyes for Souichiro-kun's sister but you've moved onto Tsukuyo."

Hijikata's face expression turned grim. "It wasn't easy giving love a second chance. I was afraid of these feelings returning to me a second time. I tried suppressing them to my best abilities but I couldn't leave her alone. I fully understood how Tsukuyo felt. Losing someone you love. Although in this case you simply disappeared from her life. Regardless, she still lost the love of her life. I still went for her knowing she wouldn't ever love me like the way she loves you. I wanted to be by her side and protect her. Mitsuba was my first love and that will never change. I regretted not being able to be the one to make her happy. Once I accepted the fact I've fallen in love again, I vowed I would make her happy with my life. That second time happened to be Tsukuyo." Hijikata looked straight into Gintoki's eyes and asked, "Do you know how much it hurts to lose the person you loved with all your heart?"

The heavy atmosphere broke up through the owner's interruption, "The food is ready! One Hijikata special, one small sandwich for Tsumiki, and one Sakata special." She set the bowls in front of them.

Gintoki immediately dug in. He couldn't stand being around Hijikata. His words kept echoing in his mind and he would constantly be reminded of how badly the future him hurt Tsukuyo. For once he wasn't able to enjoy the taste of red bean over rice.