-Chapter 8-
She was running out of breath, but the hallway seemed endless.
Her eyes moved in search of one particular room.
The fifth one at the second floor.
Gin-chan is awake!
Her mind was in total blank; her body felt numb as her legs moved fast - - - as fast the train of thoughts in her head.
The memories of the incident, the blood, the guilt, Shinpachi, Anego…
…a monster like that…
She froze.
Her ragged breath in sync with her racing heartbeat.
What if he hates me too?
A lump was formed in her throat. She cannot swallow, her mouth was dry.
What if Gin-chan doesn't want to see me anymore?
Her knees almost buckled in exhaustion and the mere thought.
What if…what if….what if…
She staggered a few steps back to retreat."No….I-I can't…" she uttered, her voice trembling.
She spun around and collided on a solid chest. She raised her head and met scarlet orbs looking down at her in confusion.
Sadist.
He was panting. He was chasing her down the hallway and she hadn't even noticed. His brows were furrowed.
She looked at him with the same eyes of horror- - - a trail of tears on her cheeks. "Sadist…" She was pale.
"What is it this time?" Sougo said as his hand grabbed her arm.
"Gin-chan…he…." Her hand grabbed him back, she was trembling.
"Oi" Anxiety was hitting him for the second time. China looked the same as when she heard Shinpachi called her a monster.
"G-Gin-chan….surely hates me, yes? Like Shinpachi?" She almost whispered as her tears continued to fall.
"Why would Danna hate you?" His voice was firm and annoyed. He would never ever be prepared to see China having a breakdown.
"Because…I…" She clutched onto him tightly. Her mind was in a mess and so was her words. The amount of fear and guilt and inside her is impossible to be described.
"He won't." he stared fiercely at her.
"But-"
He cut her off by taking the lead and dragging her. "Worse comes to worst China….." Her gaze shifted from his hand on her wrist to the back of his head. "…I'm here." He said without sparing a glance.
Her chaotic mind didn't register his words.
Sadist hand felt warm and his grip was reassuring.
Another turn and Sougo spotted the door with a metal plate engraved with Room 5.
Her steps got heavier as they approached the door. She wasn't prepared to face Gin-chan now. Or even Shinpachi and Anego again.
It was too much and she wanted to snatch her hand back from Sadist's grip, but she felt powerless. Her anxiety consumed her too much she cannot even walk straightly.
Sougo opened the door casually and stood at the entrance to meet everyone's eyes.
Kondo, Hijikata, Otae, Otose, Shinpachi and Gintoki all looked at him a bit surprised.
"Ah! Sougo! You made it in time!" Kondo initiated the breaking of an unnerving silence.
Kagura stood close behind him. Hiding herself as much as she can. Her hand clutching his coat tightly. Sougo felt the tugging at his lower back and glanced at Kagura from his shoulders. He squeezed her hand and entered the room.
All eyes were focused to the Yato girl.
"What took you so long?" Hijikata irritatingly asked the captain.
"There was an accident so we detoured." Sougo said ignoring Hijikata's focused gaze on his and China's adjoined hands.
There was a minute of silence.
Everyone, except Shinpachi, was looking at Kagura.
Gintoki watched his foster daughter shy away from everyone. For now, he ignored their linked hands and focused on that dreadful expression in her face.
It's exactly how a kid looked like when being confronted by a parent for their mistake. He smirked at himself.
"Yo" He greeted with a silly grin. "You look taller, Kagura-chan. What did you do this past week? I guess you drank all my strawberry milk eh?"
Sougo could feel China trembling as he gripped on his coat. She moved closer to fully hide her face; her forehead leaned at the back of his shoulder.
"Aw Kagura-chan! Is that how you're going to greet me? I was out for only about a week! You don't need to be shy!" Gintoki played a childish voice to break her tension.
"Maybe China girl wanted some privacy, right Toshi?" Kondo butted in.
"Huh?" Hijikata was a bit startled. "Guess so." And he followed Kondo. He looked at Sougo to give a hint. He nodded.
Sougo let go of China's hand to follow the two. Kagura tried to pull him again as he looked at him with terrified eyes. He just looked at her. His eyes spoke assurance.
The door closed.
Suddenly, Kagura felt so vulnerable around her earth family.
She fidgeted and locked her eyes on the floor.
"Kagura-chan, you can sit here." Otae motioned for her at the empty seat near the bed.
"A-Anou, Kagura-chan! You can take this seat instead!" Shinpachi almost stuttered at the sudden surge of effort to talk to his foster sister. He clumsily stood up from the chair at the bedside.
Kagura looked at Shinpachi for a second then averted her gaze. "I'm okay here, yes?"
"What are you tsundereing about? How can we have a proper conversation when you stand over there?! Here! Come over here! " Otose said in her usual irritated tone.
Kagura meekly obliged, although her eyes never left the floor.
Gintoki did not need to ask how had she been doing all that time he was in coma. The weight loss, the paler skin, the bags under her sorrowful eyes were enough to tell him she wasn't any better than he and Shinpachi was. "The old hag said, you had been drinking? You sneaky brat! You should have waited for me and Patsua-"
"Gin-chan…"
Gintoki looked at her.
Gin-chan….I'm scared…
He knew. He could tell.
Kagura bit her lip and bent down to hide her crying face. "I'm…..sor…ry."
The sound of her sobs was more painful than all the ripped up skin or broken bones in his body.
Patsuan was wrong. He didn't need to show too much emotion to re-open a wound. Because at that moment, something inside him was crushing in silence, and he hadn't even lifted a finger.
"You…What are you sorry for? Are you admitting that you emptied all my strawberry milk in the fridge? Or because you drank without our consent? That is so not like our Kagura-chan!"
Kagura kept on crying. "It's all my fault…..I can understand if you will hate me from now on…"
Shinpachi on one side was biting his lips as he looked teary-eyed at her.
"Who's gonna hate who? Oiii Kagura-chan I'm not sure I follow you."
"Gin-chan please stop….you can be honest….I'll accept anything that you will say to me…"
"That's why I'm telling you I can't follow you. Who's gonna hate who? Oi Baba, do you hate Kagura-chan? "
"How many times do I have to repeat myself to her?" Otose said.
"Otae, do you hate her?"
"E-Eh, no….I mean…at first I was mad….actually….but I realized so many things, that is why….Kagura-chan…..I'm so sorry….."
"Oi Shinpachi…..tell her the things you've told us earlier."
Shinpachi cannot open his mouth as he controlled his sobs.
"Patsuan was crying like he crushed his balls earlier, Kagura-chan…saying something about being a terrible brother and so on and so forth…."
"What about you, Gin-chan?"
"Me?"
"Do you hate me?"
"Why would I hate you? You're an annoying rebellious brat who gets into my nerves most of the times but that is all there is."
"But I almost killed you and Shinpachi…"
"You really think you can kill us both just like that? Are you underestimating us Kagura-chan? Keh! You Yatos are too conceited just because of your strength!"
"Gin-chan…"
"These injuries are nothing! I can endure these even for a hundred times!"
Kagura clenched her fist. A voice echoed from her memory.
What if next time, you killed them for real?
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"Looks like everything's gonna be back to normal." Kondo said as he sip from his can.
"Looks like it, the idiots have reunited after all." Hijikata said after a puff of smoke.
Edo was quite a scenery from their view in the rooftop. The air was damp and dark clouds started forming.
"Thankfully, we didn't have much work these past few days. Everything was in control, neh Toshi?"
"Yeah. Just minimal reports and accidents here and there."
"Good thing our captain is here to guard Edo! Isn't that right Sougo?"
HIjikata chuckled.
Sougo glared at him. "What's so funny, Hijikata-san?"
"Nothing. You just did a good job at guarding Edo, I must say." He looked at Sougo with eyes glinting of mischief.
"Indeed it was a good job Sougo!" Kondo said as he tapped the captain's shoulder. "But I felt guilty about not assigning anyone to watch over the Yorozuya girl this past week. I should've given you that mission, eh?"
Hijikata covered his mouth to stifle the laugh and Sougo was so prepared to chop his head off.
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The sky was dark now. Rain will fall any minute.
But she didn't care.
She didn't even bother looking up to check.
Her mind was a mess.
Come with me. Be part of the Harusame.
Why would I accept your offer?
You don't belong here, Kagura.
What are you saying? I have a family here, yes?
Oh, you mean those two that you've almost killed?
I-
What if next time, you killed them for real?
Kamui was right.
These injuries are nothing! I can endure these even for a hundred times!
Endure?
What if next time, you killed them for real?
She bit her lip.
You don't belong here, Kagura.
She tucked her head in between her knees.
The door of the rooftop creaked open.
"Tsk, the weather became ugly when you climbed here."
She ignored him.
He walked casually and leaned on the wall beside her.
Kagura didn't move from her position. It irked him.
"What's the deal with that psycho? You seem distracted since you talked to him."
Silence.
"Oi"
"Kamui said…..I do not belong here, yes?"
He smacked her on the head.
"Don't ever think that you do not belong here just because you are an Amanto. You're no different from all the idiots out here."
It was purely sarcastic but for the first time she wanted to laugh instead of punching him straight in the guts.
"Also….he wanted me to join him in space, yes?"
His eyes widen.
A sudden gust of wind and the door was slammed hard on the frame.
He hid his balled fists inside his pocket and inhaled deeply to calm himself.
"What did you say to him?"
"Nothing."
"Why?"
"Because…..I don't know…..yet."
"Yet?"
Silence.
The rain started to pour.
Kagura stood up and opened her umbrella. She held it higher to cover Sadist as well.
Silence.
Sadist's eyes were hidden under his bangs and she didn't like the aura he's emitting.
She decided to stay quiet.
Her outstretched arm started to feel numb so she lowered it a bit. Sadist's hand caught the handle and she felt their fingers brushed. Now they're both clutching the parasol like a couple under the rain.
But it didn't look romantic with his unreadable expression and her gloomy look.
Her cheek almost bump to his shoulder due to their proximity. In any other time, she might have blushed because it will remind her of their almost kiss incident.
But right now, she was just feeling lost.
"Neh, Sadist, we should get inside, yes?"
It took a while before he spoke. "Are you considering his offer?"
"What?"
"Are you planning to be a pirate as well?"
"It's not like that you jerk!"
"Then why didn't you say no?"
"Because…he's got a point, yes!"
"What point? That you do not belong here?"
"What is your problem you bastard?!"
"I don't have a problem! You have a problem China!"
"What's wrong with considering his offer?! He's my brother, yes?! We share the same blood! I am a Yato too!"
"So you are willing to be a Yato like them?!"
"What do you mean?"
"Them, China! The bloodthirsty kinds of your race!"
"I'm not gonna be like them!"
"Do you really think that you won't change your mind once you've tried what they've done? Fucking think China!"
"I-I can get stronger if I'm with my kind, yes?! I'll be able to have a grip of myself if I train with them!"
"You won't get stronger China, you'll just be another psycho!"
Both fists came flying to each of their face. They were both knocked down by the impact and the parasol was thrown away.
The cold rain drenched their body.
Slowly they got back up.
Both feel unmotivated to continue the fight.
Instead, Sougo picked up the parasol and they both sat down.
Silence.
"You just don't want me to get ahead of you, yes?"
"I was way ahead of you to start with China, don't joke around."
"You should get rid of that conceited attitude, Sadist, or else no woman will ever like you."
"Hehh, I don't need to change anything to get any woman I want."
"That's rich coming from someone who hadn't dated anyone before."
"Didn't know you were tracking my relationship records."
"As if….It's just so obvious that you were never in a relationship."
"Who even told you I've never been in one?"
"Your personality, yes? If you've dated before, you should've known how to treat a girl like me."
"Girl like you? I thought all this time you were a gorilla."
"See? You don't know how to talk properly to me, yes?"
"This is how I talk to someone I got comfortable with."
She flinched.
Silence.
The rain continued to pour down.
"W-Well I guess anyone is like that.."
He didn't answer and stared only at the sky.
"If I accepted Kamui's proposal, I promise to return, earth has been my home and my family is here, yes?"
"Family…" Sougo trailed off with a lazy tone and a forlorn stare. "China..."
She turned to look at him. "What?"
He turned his face to her as well. He was too close.
Damn. Was he always this good looking?
"You know, Aneue used to pinpoint how I only make friends with older guys instead of people around my age."
"We're not friends, yes?"
"Of course not."
"We just happened to understand each other."
He smirked. "Right."
Silence.
"…."
"China, what if…."
"What?"
"Nothing. Forget it."
"Hmmmm"
Silence.
"I bet you wanted to join the other Yatos just because no earth guy wanted to date you."
"Oii, don't try to turn the tables here."
"Why? Am I wrong?"
"I don't have plans on finding a Yato husband. Like what you've said, our principle by nature is the opposite of what I believed in, yes? And I came here on earth to marry an earthling for your information."
"Sadly, no one wants an ugly pig like you."
"Heh! I'll have you know Sadist, that this beauty is a head turner in every street of Kabukichou!"
"Damn, which part of Kabukichou could it be? I was pretty sure I patrolled each nook and cranny but I got no incident report about something like that."
"How could you get the news if all you did was sleep in the bench you fuckin' useless tax-robber!"
"Watch your word China. Men prefers soft-spoken women."
"Women have the right to speak or curse any bastard that gets on to their nerves."
Sougo laughed.
"A sadist like you doesn't deserve a soft-spoken lady, you need someone who knows how to put you in place."
He smirked, "That's right."
"So stop telling me what kind of women you guys prefer. Yours should be savage and strong."
"Savage and strong you say?"
"Uh-huh."
"Maybe…..someone like Aneue….but not like totally her…."
"What do you mean?"
"Gentle…..but…stubborn." The rain has stopped but the sky was still dark. "…China…."
They both looked at each other's eyes at the same time.
"I guess, if my sister was still alive….I would've let her meet you."
That moment felt similar to the other night when they almost kiss. Sadist was looking at her with those focused eyes and she was held captive. She can't move. Her heartbeat was getting faster.
"I-I think we need to get back inside. They might be looking for us, yes?" She hurriedly stood up that she almost lost balance.
Sadist remained seated and watched her straightened her dress. Slowly he pushed himself up and followed her through the door.
Kagura felt uncomfortable as she felt his eyes boring on her back. It was making her nervous. When she grabbed the knob to turn it around, a hand grabbed her wrist.
"Don't leave earth, China."
She faced him hesitantly and faked a sarcastic look. "Who are you to order me around?"
He fixated his eyes on hers. That earnest look got her stomach in a whirl.
He stepped forward. She stepped back.
Another step and she backed off again.
She can't take her eyes away from him. What the hell is happening?
One last step taken and she was pressed on the wall.
His hand still holding her wrist.
"S-Sadist, what do you think you're doing?"
His other hand landed on the space beside her head.
He was towering over her and she felt completely dominated.
"Don't leave."
"Huh? Why would I listen to you?! It's not like you'll gain anything if I stayed here, yes?"
"There is"
"What?"
He bent down and peck her on the lips.
Her eyes widen.
He pulled back.
His eyes were glinting.
He captured her lips once more, this time to a full kiss.
She remained frozen.
His eyes were half-lidded.
The damn brat's lips were too pleasurable; he could feel himself giving in.
Time slowed down.
The cold air did nothing to get rid of the warm feeling in their stomach.
He could tell it was her first. So he gently moved his lips over hers.
Something at the back of his head screams it wasn't enough to satisfy himself.
His hand snaked around her waist and pulled her closer.
He angled his head to gain access on her mouth.
And Kami….the kiss progressed from slow to hungry.
His hand went up and held the back of her head as he deepen their kiss.
He pulled back after a minute.
She was still in daze.
He was too, actually.
His eyes refused to look away from her swollen lips.
He wanted more…
"China," He was pulling her closer again.
"L-Let's head back!" She stammered as she pushed him. "G-Gin-chan might b-be looking f-for us! I-I mean me!" She rattled as she grab the knob and rushed inside.
Sougo was left standing on his spot,
processing the events
their conversation
their kiss
Shit.
What has he done?
A/N: Yep. Look who's back from the grave (and might be MIA again after this since my sched and work are both hectic). Anyway, I hope you like this chapter! Please forgive me for any grammatical error!