Chapter 18
The more you know
Gintoki's Pov:
Otose's snack house was rather calm for the evening, with only two customers seated by the bar. Himself and Toshiro Hijikata. Two empty bowls stood by them and all they sipped on now was their whiskey.
"Are you leaving tomorrow?" Gintoki asked with a bittersweet smile, turning around the ice in his drink with a plastic straw.
"That's the plan," the former policeman admitted, leaning on his hand.
Otose appeared behind the counter, mirror in hand, touching up on her lipstick.
"The sooner, the better," she said, her eyes not leaving her reflection. "Both of you shouldn't be here, considering the times."
"You trying to get rid of us or something?" Hijikata bitterly and a bit intoxicated laughed, he wasn't serious though.
Otose gave the two of them the rarity of a gentle smile. It looked like she was about to say something when the door slid open and another customer entered. Hazegawa Taizo took a seat to Gintoki's right and sighed heavily. He took off his sunglasses and massaged his forehead, as if he was trying ease a particularly disturbing headache.
"Something the matter?" Hijikata asked, leaning forwards in his seat to take a look at the unemployed, hopeless man.
"I don't even know if I should get into it..." Hasegawa muttered, keeping his head in his hands.
"Well now you have to," Otose asserted as she took out a glass, dropped some ice in it before sliding it across the counter to her latest visitor. "Here, it's on the house," she said as she reached over and poured the whiskey.
This made Hazegawa light up as a small smile lit up his face.
"You're a blessing Otose-chan," he chirped at her, taking a big gulp from the alcohol.
"So, what's wrong?" Gintoki asked the man at his side, staring at his hunched over form.
There was a pause and he was about to smack Hazegawa's back as a way to get him to answer faster but that wasn't needed.
"It's my cousin... she's adopted you see and she recently got reunited with her birth family, in particular her brother, a brother she didn't even know she had..." the unemployed man started, putting his sunglasses on.
"But it's that a good thing?" Hijikata questioned as he sipped on his beverage.
"Yes, and no..." Hazegawa murmured with another troublesome sigh. "You see, they spent some weeks together and now they're in deep shit."
"What are you saying?" Gin prodded, confused.
Hazegawa gave him another tired look before spilling the beans.
"To put it bluntly, I heard from my uncle that they've been caught having a relationship and have thus been separated. My cousin is... she's a mess, confused, depressed, ashamed. We used to quite close you know and now... I barely recognise her."
His voice wavered but it didn't tremble, anyone could see that he was being careful with his words.
"She's not herself you know, she has completely isolated herself. She's more introverted now and less fun to be around," Hanzo took another swing of his whiskey, shaking his head in defeat.
Otose, Hijikata and himself intently listened, the tea was hot for this one.
"Holy goodness, that's quite the mess, to put it mildly," Otose exclaimed with a deep sigh, always one to speak her mind.
Gin had forgotten his drink as he allowed the shocking story to sink in.
"Bloody hell, I feel for you dude," he groaned, feeling a headache swell at his temples.
He shook his head, refusing to let his thoughts wander. Because he just knew, where the fuck they would end up. He didn't even want to deal with his paranoid suspicious. He'd expected them to go away by now... but they stubbornly stayed. He would give it more time, gritting his teeth along the way. What else was there to do?
"Did something happen to her?" Hijikata blurted out before rephrasing his question, "I mean why would something like that happen in the first place, they must have known right?" He seemed genuinely curious as he stroked his chin in thought.
"It's unnatural," Otose added, cleaning out her pipe.
Hazegawa nodded in agreement. "It is unnatural, so that's why I decided to look it up, to look up why such a thing could occur in the first place," he explained.
"This is called GSA, Genetic sexual attraction. It's a psychological phenomenon that happens when two closely related individuals gets separated during childhood or perhaps never get to meet in the first place. It is predicated on the hypothesis that those we spend our first essentials years with, the critical time when our brain is still developing, will automatically have the role of family in our eyes."
"Whether we like it or not. Our biology basically decides that and thus, we won't be attracted to them. Sexual desensitization in a sense. But if that process is interrupted somehow, through separation or maybe trauma, or often both, something called the Westermarck effect can happen. And this effect will occur when the two related individuals meet again as adults or even teens."
"And since the natural process of sexual desensitization was interrupted, they won't have that platonic relationship to each other that they normally would have. Instead they may just become attracted to each other instead. That attraction is really their biology, trying to make up for that lost connection they were supposed to have as children. But since that essential bonding process was interrupted, the attraction will manifest itself in an incorrect manner. Hence GSA," Hazegawa clarified and it was obvious that he had really dug himself deep into this topic.
"Wow... well that's something I didn't know," Hijikata was the first to one to speak.
"Well you learn something new everyday," Otose chimed in, still inspecting her pipe.
Gintoki stayed silent, only managing a small nod of acknowledgement, to indicate that he was in fact, still present. Never before had he felt like a plastic bag drifting through the wind.
"In the end, it is still unnatural, your cousin and her brother both need help... this sort of behaviour shouldn't be accepted, it will only make them both suffer even more," the elderly lady asserted then, pointing her pipe in the direction of Hazegawa.
"Oh I know that, I don't know what's being done for her brother but I know my cousin has been admitted to therapy, he concluded, leaning on the counter in a lazy manner.
"That's good at least," Hijikata said as he returned to his drink.
Gintoki realised he probably needed to say something as well.
"So... you say that this is only possible if the siblings become separated during childhood?" he blurted out, raising his glass but his appetite for whiskey was mysteriously gone.
"Yes generally."
"Why is it called the Westermarck effect though?" he tried to sound casual.
"I'm not sure, probably named after the guy that came up with the hypothesis."
Gintoki nodded at that and finished his whiskey, even though he didn't want it. He needed some air. He debated when it was the right time to get up, for some reason, he didn't feel like drawing attention to himself.
"I hope everything works out with your cousin," Hijikata said and the inhabitants in the room hummed in agreement.
The conversation carried on, mainly focused on the concern for Hazegawa's cousin and Gintoki decided to stay. It wouldn't exactly be proper to leave now anyway when one of his friends clearly was upset. He indulged himself in the topic of discussion and tried to forget the troubles he had, with each swing of said whiskey.
As time passed by, the inhabitants of the bar grew to one more. Sougo had joined not to long ago and was busy taking in the story about Hazegawa's cousin, which was being re-told to him by Hijikata. But by bit, they all became a tad bit more tipsy.
At this point Gin had began to debate with himself, on whether or not he should share his worries. Seek advice from the friends he had around him. But he didn't know how to relay the information without making Kagura look bad. He was about to open his mouth and say something when the door dramatically slammed open. A sweaty and alarmed Shinpachi stood at the entrance. His glasses were foggy but from the edge of them, one could clearly see his wide eyes.
"What's the matter?" Hijikata said before Gintoki could.
And so, his friend opened his mouth and the air became heavy with the shocking information he blurted out. Gin felt a violent nausea twist around in his stomach, corrosive in its nature. A bile rose in his throat and he cursed aloud. Making all eyes latch onto him.
"I fucking knew something was up, I fucking knew it. She's going after Kamui, that psycho..." he burst out, dragging his hands through his white hair.
"Oh fuck," Hijikata and Sougo said in unison.
Hazegawa and Otose just looked dreadfully confused.
"Gin," Shinpachi said and fixed him with a serious stare. "We need to go after her."
"Yes, we do. Go get your things and I will handle the transportation, I will speak to Tatsuma," the swordsman answered, his voice steady and stable, hiding the creeping turmoil he felt beneath his skin.
"Let me go with you," a voice suddenly snapped and they all turned to look at Sougo.
He didn't feel like arguing and Kagura was Sougo's friend as well. He just nodded at him with a thin curl of his lips.
"I will catch up with you folks after this, we got our phones after all," Sougo clarified to Hijikata who accepted the information with a curt nod.
"Just don't get yourself killed or something stupid like that."
It was decided then. Rakuyou was their destination.
Kagura's Pov:
She was pretty happy with this spontaneous and rather impulsive decision. Say what you want about the Kihetai, their food was just as good as any food back on earth. It would've almost been perfect if it weren't for the screaming, blonde wench. The bimbo wasn't very happy with her presence but Kagura could care less.
She knew Gin and Shinpachi would come for her, that was obvious from the very start. That's why she left behind a note. But still, she wouldn't let them get in the way of her plans. She had another family besides those two. Two more idiots that needed her attention and protection right now, specifically one. Her father could handle everything, he was wise from his years of experience. Kamui on the other hand... was too hot-headed for his own good.
She would need to protect him against the enemies he had made, whether or not he realised that himself. He wasn't invincible, not against Utsuro. She would do her best to stop her brother and collect her sweet revenge at the same time. She had to.
A strange feeling engulfed her from within, as her blue eyes took in the distant planet of her past. They were getting closer and closer to Rakuyou by the second. Was this longing she felt? It was bittersweet and heavy, but she welcomed it. She had history with this planet, many memories that lurked about in her subconscious. Maybe it was time to make peace with the traumas of the past. Maybe it was time to forgive and forget.
Digging into her pocket, she pulled out some coins. A universal, galactic currency came in handy in these types of situations. She would buy some flowers as soon as they land and visit her mother's grave. Then she would track Kamui down and put an end to his folly. She had donned the clothes he had given her, the clothes that looked like his own. It was all for show, anything to make him more agreeable with her.
She knew she had to adopt a different tactic when it comes to handling Kamui. The nagging, bitchy, moaning little sister wouldn't be effective. If she allowed her emotions to rule her, he would win. So she needed to remain calm and collected and assertive. Despite it all, anxiety wouldn't leave her alone right now. But that was only natural considering her position.
Kagura didn't actually know if her father would be on Rakuyou or not, but as she eventually stood at the foot of her mother's grave, she got her confirmation. The persistent rain of said planet pattered away at her umbrella.
"Huh, a grave?" Matako uttered behind her, as she stood along with some members of the Kihetai crew, a bit behind her. "Someone you know?"
Kagura really didn't feel like answering her but did so anyway... sort of.
"I just wanted to check something..." she muttered, taking in the collection of blue flowers at the grave. "It's just as I thought, that baldy is here too."
Almost mechanically, she placed the red roses she'd bought right next to the blue ones. Her heart felt... heavy. A sinking feeling told her that her friends must've already arrived here. It matters not. They have yet to get in her way, and she was way ahead as it is.
All she had to do was to stick close to Matako and the gang. They were searching for their leader, who was residing in the clutches of the 7th division if she remembered correctly. All she had to do was to follow them and they would lead her straight to her brother. The thought of Kamui twisted her tummy into a hard knot. The prospect of facing him so soon was daunting. But she had to.
They continued on their trek through the mountains. Over time, things started to stir up around them. The town seemed to have several battles unfolding. Utsuro's Harusame has long since arrived and they were no doubt causing chaos. She had seen their ships, covering the skies from a distance. Battles were being fought in the mountains as well. Explosions seemed to go off left from right, making the ground and the steep cliffs tremble from the force of it all.
Suddenly the ground shook, making Kagura loose her balance for a split second. She got down on her knee, bracing herself on her umbrella. Rocks fell down from above and she quickly undid her parasol, shielding herself underneath it.
People fell down from the area above them, hurled down by the explosion. They had no doubt, been on ground zero for that one. Kagura suddenly recognised one of the falling men. She could tell Matako did as well due to her shriek.
"Shinsuke-sama!" The blonde yelled out as she ran towards the descending man.
It looked like she was about to jump off the edge of the cliff, and she probably would've if Kagura hadn't acted swiftly. She ran up to the blonde and grabbed her, pulling her back from the edge. They fell to side in a heap of limbs. Matako shrugged her off and crawled forwards to take a look. Kagura did the same, coughing from the sand particles that floated amidst the air.
What she saw made her freeze. As the smoke cleared, one could clearly see an unconscious Shinsuke, noted by Matako's lamentations. But he wasn't alone. Aside from the bodies laying here and there, there was a person at his feet. He seemed to be holding some clothing of some sort and Kagura recognised the clothes as belonging to Shinsuke. As he threw the garment down upon the man of Matako's dreams, his hood fell slightly down.
A red braid peeked out and it clicked into place. Kamui. That was Kamui, it was his cloak, his braid, his smile. Kamui turned around started walking ahead, in a rather fast pace. He hadn't seen her. Kagura clenched her teeth and sheeted her umbrella. Keeping her eyes on the disappearing figure of her brother, she started to follow him.
Now as she knew where Kamui was, she didn't need the Kihetai anymore. Now, she only had to reach him in time. She was tempted to shout after him but it was doubtful whether or not he would hear her from this distance, and especially with all the noise going on.
With her heart in her throat, she kept on running until the cliff-side she was on started to descend in a rocky hillside-fashion. She jumped the rest of the way and landed just some meters behind the -now- running sight of her brother. She must have made some sort noise as he suddenly came to a halt and turned around.
Kagura came to a halt as well, taken aback by his fixed gaze. He looked surprised for a split second, then, a crude smile clad his lips but it did not reach his eyes. He wasn't happy to see her here, that was obvious.
"Kamui-" Kagura began but the rest of her sentence got tangled up and suppressed as he as fast as lightning propelled towards her. Before she could even blink, he had her pressed up against the mountainside. Her umbrella, cast off to the sidelines.
"Don't get in my way rabbit," he hissed at her as he towered over her, choking her with her own collar.
"No way you fucking disgrace," Kagura angrily spat back at him as she twisted around in his grasp.
He chuckled at her attempts to free herself and just tightened his grip on her. She was furious and became even more so when he started kissing her neck.
"Stop that! I swear Kamui, if anyone sees us I'll-" the rest of her words got drowned out by her own scream.
A scream born out of pure pain because by now, he had sunk his teeth deep into her neck, no doubt drawing blood. He was punishing her. A pulsating sensation echoed in her eardrums and she uselessly kicked at his legs. No matter what, he just wouldn't budge. Eventually he withdrew his teeth and licked the wound he'd created. It stung terribly and as he drew back to look at her, she immediately spat in his face. He didn't care for her spit as it trailed down his chin, instead he grinned at her, maliciously so. His lips and teeth were bright red and bloodied and honestly he did look like a completely crazy, psychotic cannibal.
His lips and way too sharp teeth went back to grazing her cheek before they nibbled at her earlobe.
"Prepare yourself to be fatherless," he whispered in her ear before he brutally kneed her in the stomach.
He dropped her without warning and she gasped for breath as she caved in, writhing in pain on the ground. With each breath, the pain seemed to grow and without thinking, she picked up a big rock to throw at him. But as she looked up, her brother was nowhere to be found. The threat still rang loud in her ears, along with her own racing pulse. He wanted to kill their father and she knew that baldy wanted him dead as well... No. Not on her watch.