Saturday nights belonged to the drunken people stumbling down the alleys, wrapped around each other. Gamblers, dancers, and socialites lucky enough to forget their lives as soon as they reached the glowing signs and displays of the main street. Something Saturday nights definitely weren't for was sitting in an empty tea shop cradling an infant until it finally shut its eyes and stopped demanding Kinu dance for it's amusement.

The last hour had been spent trying to coax a very cranky baby to forget about the appendages splitting his gums. Kinu had been alternating teething rings in the freezer for the last four hours, and finally got him down when the door to her shop shot open. The bell jingled and she gaped a the baby in her arms. Waited for him to start screaming.

By the grace of whatever gods were out there, he only turned his head.

"Where the hell is he?"

Frowning over her shoulder, Kinu peered at the one eyed man in the doorway. Sword out, he skimmed the shop. Walked to the counter and leaned over it. He passed her without a single look. Went behind the counter and yanked the cupboard door open.

"In your room? You let him into the house?!"

"Shh!" Hissing the sound, Kinu felt the last thing she wanted. The baby stretched his arms, and grunted. Made a whining, fussy sound in the back of his throat. Then he let out a shrill scream that grated at her ears. "Look what you did!"

Takasugi froze in his tracks as Kinu slowly turned to set her death glare on him. She'd been so close. Only had to put him in bed, but now she had to start all over! More importantly, was this what Gintoki had warned her about?

"If you're this kid's dad, you can't have him. They specifically told me I can do whatever I want to you. And I'm very emotional right now."

Could have fooled him. Kinu's face didn't move or provide any evidence to back up her claim. Shutting the cupboard,Takasugi raised a brow at the girl.

"Do I look like anyone's dad?"

The girl's eyes skimmed over Takasugi and she coldly turned away from him. Tended the kid on her hip.

"Oh no, no no. We're happy here. We don't cry we go to sleep." Hoisting the infant over her shoulder, Kinu started to rock him again. Would have strangled the dumbfounded man behind the counter if she had both of her hands. Shooting another glare at Takasugi, she pointed to the refrigerator. "Get the teething ring out of the freezer."

He stood there. Looked at her like she had four heads and he didn't know which to listen to.

"Now."

The moment she spoke the man snapped upright and did as told. Didn't know why he listened, but he was at a loss for what to do next. Why was there a baby?! The howling raised an octave, and he grimaced. Takasugi didn't see anything like what she'd said in the freezer. Dug out a pacifier, which Kinu squinted at when he held it up to her; wide eyed and frowning. He shoved it back into the ice box. Moved boxes and containers, looking for anything remotely ring like.

He spotted the charm laden plastic ring in the cubbies on the door. As he handed it off to the girl she bobbed the baby on her hip and held it to his mouth. He grabbed it. Peered up at Takasugi with large black eyes, riddled with tears. His entire face was puckered but the moment he grabbed the ring the horrid screeching died down to low whines and whimpers. The ring was promptly chewed on, but he didn't look away from Takasugi.

It kind of creeped him out.

"What are you doing here? Gin-chan will kill us both when he gets back." The words were barely murmured. Moreso, cooed at the baby. "Yes he will." Kinu wiggled the teething ring. "He'll skin us alive and make us walk on hot coals with our intestines hanging out."

The baby grinned up at Kinu. Wrinkled his nose. What the hell had she been teaching it? Tearing his eye from the tiny human, Takasugi studied the girl beside him. She wasn't even looking at him. Was holding the ring with the child and completely focused on him. Assuring him the ring was fun in her quiet murmur.

"Gin-chan hates us, doesn't he?" The sentence earned a low giggle from the kid, and Kinu nodded. "He's mean and lazy. Not a very good brother at all. That's why he stuck me with you and yelled at us."

The low tone was deceptively fun for the child, but Takasugi's face puckered.

"Don't tell him that." Wasn't she supposed to be out doing bad things with teenage boys that had no self control? The girl finally looked up at him, blank faced "Why the fuck do you have a baby? Whose is that?" He asked, and Kinu shrugged.

"Mine until I get paid. Onii-chan had something else to do with its mom, so he dropped it off here."

Again, Takasugi found the baby to be looking directly at him. Searching his soul for the secrets of the universe while it drooled on the orange and blue plastic.

"It? Why are you calling him it?"

"All babies are its." Still holding the teething ring, Kinu started towards the counter. "Until they become people." She added. Was followed by Takasugi, frowning around her shoulder. That was her date?! Kawakami had lied to him! She wasn't having a movie date with that pen boy, she was being a questionably good, modest woman.

Aside from the whole robotic reaction to babies. He thought they were people already, just tiny, stupid ones. Then Kawakami's awful joke dawned on him. Second base. He'd known full well Kinu was there with a baby. Takasugi could cut him. He was probably laughing right now.

Kinu navigated the kitchen with ease, and pulled a bottle from a bag left on the counter. Didn't make a sound as she took a container of formula and tipped the still warm kettle to the bottle. Seeing that the man was watching her motions like a hawk, Kinu glanced at him. Didn't ask before handing the kid off to leave Takasugi suspending him at arm's length. He gaped at him, stiff as a board, and the kid's mouth tightened into an ugly grimace.

He didn't think it liked him.

"Stop looking at it like that. You're scaring it." Kinu leaned back against the oven and rattled the bottle around, brow raised. She wasn't sure what that expression was, but Takasugi's usually smug, dignified features had transformed into what she could only refer to as seeing a tragic accident in the streets, and also realizing the odd smell was coming from you and not your surroundings.

He didn't move as the ring dropped and the creature in his hands made one of the ugliest faces he'd ever seen. His arms raised, and his legs kicked, and Takasugi gaped at him as Kinu scooped the ring up and decided she had tortured him enough for one night. Relieved him of his duties and traded the ring for the bottle.

She fed the kid under the prying gaze of the one eyed man. He was trying not to look, and had been doing a good job of busying himself with his phone; the great defender of awkward people across the globe. But she saw his eye drifting back every so often. Suspicious that the baby had a gun in his back pocket, from the look of it.

They didn't speak until the child was lolling off to sleep. Then he perked up, and his entire face wrinkled. He made a displeased sound, and Kinu sighed.

"Why's he doing that? Does he need a new diaper?"

Jaw propped on her fist, Kinu rubbed the kid's head.

"It's tired. It doesn't want to sleep. You're too exciting."

Eyeing the ticking time bomb Takasugi slid into the chair across from Kinu and moved it back. Out of the kid's sight. He could see the little hands poking out as the kid tried to turn. Tried to look at him. Apparently, Kinu was psychic, because nothing about that face had made Takasugi think he was tired, just that he was upset for some reason. The moment Kinu had him down, and the movement stopped, she leaned back. Frowned at Takasugi.

Instead of speaking, Kinu stood and motioned to him. Brought him to the very back of the store to whisper.

"What the hell is your problem, coming in here like that? Who did you think was here?"

Averting his gaze, Takasugi felt his lips curving into an irritated smirk.

"Uh… It was a joke…"

Kinu's eyes narrowed, but she didn't speak for what felt like forever until she crossed her arms.

"What part of tomorrow morning don't you understand? Gin-chan is coming back tonight, if he catches us he'll make a scene."

"Don't do it. Don't come tomorrow; everything Bansai said was a lie." A range of expressions crossed Kinu's usually dead face. Confusion. Hurt. Anger. She dropped his gaze, and twisted her foot against the hardwood.

"Fine. I hope your mechanic knows how to install T-thirteen panels and seven thirty eight fuses."

What the hell did that have to do with anything? He didn't want her at a marriage viewing, who cared about the ship parts?

"I'd hope she did." Kinu glanced towards the resting kid. Sharply shushed him, and he sucked in a breath. Glared at her. "Don't try to change the subject. He made everything up."

"Oh, that's how it is? She? Is that a joke, too? Am I laughing?" Pointing at her face, Kinu tilted her head. Takasugi scowled down at her.

"If you are, you need a doctor."

"You're gonna need a doctor if you don't get out." The girl glanced towards the door, then the kid, before returning her piercing gaze to Takasugi. "If you didn't want me around you could have just texted me." Muttering back, Kinu started away, back towards the bar. "Bansai-san said it was fine if I finished your ship. Most of those parts are specialties. Common mechanics wouldn't know what they're doing or how to make them all work together. They'll blow out your engine."

"Who cares? You're not marrying anybody. Especially not him!" Hissing down at the girl, Takasugi grasped Kinu's bicep. She gave him a look that claimed he'd lost his mind.

"Bansai-san? Why would I marry him? What's wrong with you? I don't see a ring on my finger." Holding her hand up, Kinu waved it in his face. Smacked his hand off. Throwing his lack of commitment in his face. She started back on her path but was yanked back by her wrist.

"So what if it's not on the outside?! It's functional!" His thumb jabbed into the gauzy fabric in the center of Kinu's palm and she took a step back. Disgust rippled across her. Then another look Takasugi didn't fully recognize. The girl quickly shoved away. She retreated another step, shoulders raised, with her hands propped against her chest. As if she needed a shield, or a barrier between them.

"You're drunk." Kinu glanced behind herself, only for a second. To check the kid on the table. He was still laid across his portable mattress, fast asleep. Exactly how she'd left him. Even so, the same anger Takasugi had been harboring since the last night he'd been there surged through his veins.

"I'm not drunk." Olive green cut into the girl and she averted her gaze. "Where the hell have you been? It's been over a week!" He spoke before even knowing what he was saying, and Kinu remained rooted in the ground as he grabbed her again. Walked her backwards until she was pressed into the edge of the sink. Absorbed by the hand sliding around her throat, and unable to swallow.

"Answer me." At first, Kinu had been tense. Looking at him as if he had committed an atrocity and shrugged it off before her eyes. Then, said eyes glazed over, and her face returned to its neutral position. A dark wall of hair fell between them, and the man frowned down at her. Forced her chin straight so she could fully appreciate the extent of his scowl. "Oi, don't do that."

Limp in his hands, Kinu allowed him to turn her head. Gazed across the room, but never directly at him. When he raised a hand to her hair, she flinched. He didn't know how she could stand there, acting like he was some kind of menace trying to corner her. Sure, he'd had a few drinks. More than a few. Takasugi hadn't even thought about it before coming.

"God, I'm not gonna hit you. Stop." He was livid, just seeing her there; acting like it was fine when she'd ditched him the moment Gintoki came in and ruined everything. But that was a stretch, even for him. "Don't make that face at me. I'm not your father."

Kinu glanced at him from the corners of her eyes, still grimacing. She shifted in place, biting down on her lower lip. He hadn't even thought of it. Takasugi hadn't seen his own family in what felt like forever. His stint of abuse had been far shorter, he'd been over it by her age. Never flinched again.

Why would he? He was the master of his own domain; as far as he could control.

She wasn't. Kinu needed to overcome her fears. She couldn't freeze up every time a drunk approached her.

Kinu had barely gotten a breath in her before a point pressed into her throat. She finally met the man's gaze, and found it had sharpened. He had sharpened. Somewhere between pretending to not be a threat and dredging up their issues, he had found a utility knife and decided it was the least threatening approach.

"Where have you been?" He repeated, and she stared up at him, lips parted. Kinu didn't move as the man's weight pressed into her side. Forced her to lean back. He couldn't be serious. Takasugi wouldn't kill her. Not like this. He'd want her to struggle. To scream, and give him a reason to do it. He would want her to run, so he could have fun chasing her down, and actually see the fear in her eyes; curbing his boredom. "Why haven't you sent any articles?"

"You never respond. I thought you didn't like it."

Stretching her neck, Kinu tilted her head back. Was lifted back onto the counter as he leaned her back over the short step between the worker's side and the customer's bar. Blood was filling her veins again. Thrumming in her eardrums as the man's fingers dug into her side. He was studying her. Waiting for her to react, and getting closer in the process. Looking at her with the same cold detachment one would offer a thousand year old doll in a museum. He was hurting her side. Squeezing it so hard she thought her skin would grate off under the fabric of her button up.

"Don't just sit there." Takasugi murmured, and the metal against Kinu's neck dug into her skin. Felt as though it sharpened. "Do something."

Mismatched cerulean eyes stayed on the man. Didn't spare him a fraction of a second to blink, or avert as he expected. In the same fashion, Kinu didn't move. Not even to lower her chin. He knew the blade had to hurt with the amount of pressure he was putting on it. Wondered if her skin was on the brink of splitting. Her hand had curled around his blue belt, and stayed there. Anchored her in place. Slowly, as if feeling him out, her other prodded at his fingertips on her side. Curled through them.

"You're gonna let me slit your throat?" Voice still low, the man remained as deathly still as Kinu. She finally answered; breathy and a touch lower than him.

"Yes."

She was supposed to stop him. Why? Kinu was supposed to slap him. Kick him. Throw a cup and make a scene; scream bloody murder and be irrevocably angry. Pulling the knife away, Takasugi couldn't help but frown.

"What's wrong with you?" Barely whispering, he placed the knife on the counter. His thumb pressed into the red line across her pale skin, and he met Kinu's gaze, unsure whether to be repulsed or personally offended in her place. Could hardly look at the girl that raised to arch into him; fingertips sliding up his side and mouth tilted under his. Still holding onto his hand as she murmured back to him.

"Wasn't I good? I let you do what you wanted to me."

He couldn't take it. They were supposed to be fighting. He was still mad at Kinu, she wasn't fooling him with that harmless, vulnerable act. Why was she like this? It was bad. Awful. Kinu should have defended herself, not relinquished control to him. What if he'd been crazy? Intended to actually cut her, or do horrible things to her? No man should have that sort of power.

"You're screwed up." His voice vibrated against her lips, and he could have sworn she smiled.

"Like you?"

Her lips were sweet. Tasted of fruit. Plum, maybe, he wasn't entirely sure as he pulled her to the edge of the counter. By some miracle, he was hauled down. Into her. It had been a week, but nothing had changed. She was exactly as he remembered. Citrus and cedar flooded his senses, and Kinu dipped to the ground, leg pressing into his as he nipped her lip and she squeezed him into her neck; head back.

"Shinsuke we can't keep doing this."

He knew. He didn't care.

"This isn't going anywhere-" Kinu's voice came forced. Cut off along with a stifled moan when his tongue dragged across her collarbone. "We have to stop-"

He couldn't. How could she say that when she was wrapping around him and meeting his lips with just as much fervor? Smothering him in her flesh? He couldn't have let go if he'd wanted.

"One more time." Hot breath danced across her chest, and Kinu bit down on her lip as her skirt was slid up her thighs. That was a hard bargain.

"One more." She agreed, finally off the counter, but roughly pressed into the cupboard. Her left arm was dragged up the wooden surface, over her head, and her skirt pooled around the man's wrist. "But- Shinsuke that thing is looking at us."

"What?" Frowning, Takasugi glanced at the dimpled mattress on the table. The baby was there still. Sleeping. "Stop calling him that, doesn't he have a name?"

"I forgot it." Kinu murmured, and he turned back to her. "It'll wake up."

"Not if you keep your voice down." The man ran his thumb down the thick white gauze across Kinu's palm, and she averted her gaze. Broke away from her spot. Still holding the wrist over her head, Takasugi turned with the girl.

"Oi, weren't you not doing this?"

"Something came up." Kinu barely glanced back at him, but his free hand was hovering near hers. Prepared to capture her.

"That doesn't make any sense. It's not like there was an event to not do it."

"I like to be proactive."

"What does that even mean? Do you even understand the words your using?"

Pausing, Kinu peered back at the man. Deadpan, save for the upturned corners of her lips.

"All together or separately?"

"Both." She thought she was funny. He wasn't having it. This was no time for avoidant defense mechanisms; even if they weren't together, she couldn't keep doing this. Whether she thought she felt better or not, it was the one thing he wouldn't overlook. He'd rather see her with that pen boy.

Deviantly eyeing the man, Kinu faced him, and her arm was lowered between them.

"What? You wanna see again? Can't you wait until tomorrow morning? I'll be in the boiler room by nine." Her fingertips pressed into his stomach, and her opposite hand plucked at the uppermost buttons of her shirt. "A picture isn't enough for you?" She raised to her tiptoes, tilting towards his lips. "Bansai-san wants me to help with some chores… He said Matako-chan dyed your clothes pink."

"Again?" Why hadn't he heard about this?! It was the third time! That's why she was coming? Now that Takasugi thought about it, he hadn't seen any new messages from Amagi. If there had been a meeting, the man would have at least sent a video of himself sipping brown liquor and saying he was glad they'd come around.

"Hm." Without a doubt this time, Kinu's mouth curved. She snickered, nodding. "Leave my arm alone. That hurts."

"I thought you liked pain, Kitten." Instead of loosening, his grasp did the opposite. Tightened, and Kinu dropped to the balls of her feet, glaring up at him. He started to say more. Something scathing and dry, but as soon as he found the edge of the gauze, the door jingled.

Jolting upright, Kinu shoved Takasugi down behind the counter. He dropped as easily as she'd pushed him. Already knew the stipulations. Wide eyed, the girl watched as Shinpachi turned from looking across the street. Takasugi had assumed a spot with his back against the cabinets, and Kinu met the olive eye below her, then the boy across the counter, smiling at her.

"You got him down. I was worried Taro-chan would give you a hard time."

"Un." Kinu couldn't help but glance at Takasugi again. She uneasily went to the freezer. Grabbed the items she'd stuffed in it to replace in the carrier pack. As she worked, trying not to move too quickly and raise alarm, Shinpachi wandered to the dimpled mattress on the table, and smiled down at the sleeping form. He carefully raised the child. Didn't wake him, somehow, and folded the mattress on the table with one hand. As Kinu packed the bag, Shinpachi offered the cushioned pad, and she uneasily hummed her thanks.

"We really appreciated your help. Sorry to put you in a spot like that, Kinu-chan. I know you don't like fighting, but thanks to you, we all kept this little guy safe… His mom got an apartment across town, so they shouldn't have to worry any more."

"Hm." Kinu didn't know why Shinpachi was smiling at her like that, or why Takasugi was scowling at her. "That's good."

Nodding, the boy grasped the carrier bag, but before he got it off the table, he met her eyes.

"Kinu-chan, did you see the festival they were setting up down the street?"

A sharp sting ran up Kinu's leg and she jerked aside. Glared down at the man at her feet. He'd pinched her!

"Uh, no. No I didn't." Jabbing her foot into Takasugi's hip, Kinu scooted over. Distanced herself from the man. Shinpachi shifted in place, and glanced across the room, scratching under his ear.

"Really? It looked fun. You've never been to one, right?"

Utterly confused, Kinu frowned at the boy. Tried to ignore the hands sliding up her leg.

"I- I don't know-" Wide eyed, the girl froze. Not from some grand realization, or epiphany, but Takasugi's mouth. The edge of her stocking was being pulled down, and he was suddenly closer. Right beside her, and smuggly grinning. "Maybe… when I was really young- ow!"

Stiffening, Kinu grasped the counter. Gaped at Shinpachi's concerned look. Then shot a glare at the man beside her. Biting the back of her thigh.

"Are you okay, Kinu-chan?"

"Y- yeah. I just… Had a toe cramp…" Takasugi grinned up at her, and she carefully lowered her hand behind the counter. Smacked at the fingers unhooking her garter.

"Really? Have you been getting enough potassium lately? I heard magnesium is good for cramps, too. You should eat more tofu and salmon. Or if you like dark chocolate-"

What was Shinpachi talking about?! Why'd he keep telling her to eat stuff? Takasugi had her leg suspended over the floor and slipped under it. The moment his teeth scraped up her inner thigh, Kinu snapped to the counter, head down. He was torturing her! Had taken her shoe and stocking off to suck at her calve and thigh.

Another series of painful bites trailed up her leg, and Kinu knew she was making a face. Felt the haze welling inside of her, behind the thin layer of composure she clung to. Even Shinpachi was frowning at her.

"Maybe they'll have some good food at the festival. And you wanted to look at earrings, didn't you? I wanted to check it out, but it's more fun to go in a group, you know?"

"Y- yeah-"

"Really? So you want to come?"

A sharp bite cut into Kinu's voice and she gasped. Covered her mouth.

"No- I mean no- I'm working on a ship this week. I can't!" The tongue sliding up Kinu's thigh let her know that she'd done well. Instead of looking disappointed, Shinpachi's face lit up.

"Really? Your first big job? I'm sure there will be other festivals, Kinu-chan, don't worry about it. But if you change your mind, you can call me." The boy glanced over the counter for a second before finding a slip of paper and pen. He scribbled his number down, and slid it over to Kinu. She knew she should have been elated, but she couldn't focus. The baby strewn across Shinpachi's arm stirred, and he looked down at him, still smiling. "Ah, looks like we were too loud."

Kinu hoped her face wasn't as red as it felt. Didn't know if Shinpachi could tell she had a lungful of air trapped in her, and couldn't exhale for fear of the sound that would come with it. Another ominously close bite came, and fingertips grazed up her inner thighs. Mouth open, Kinu gazed at the door. He wouldn't pull her underwear down. He wouldn't. Not in front of Shinpachi. The boy was barely three feet away, just across the counter; he'd know if Takasugi went further.

Kinu wouldn't be able to maintain.

"I should get going." Shinpachi said, and Kinu eagerly nodded back at him. Couldn't focus on anything but the way the band of her panties were hooked. Slowly displaced.

"Shin-" Freezing, Kinu glanced at the man between her legs. Then the boy that was looking at her. "Shinpachi-kun…" She was going to hell! He turned bright red the moment she said his name, so she could only assume it sounded horrible! Kinu didn't even know what to say to Shinpachi! "Uh… Don't forget the bag…" Shamefully whispering the words, Kinu tried to play cool. The boy nodded and made a little sound in the back of his throat as he shuffled to the counter and shouldered the carrier strap.

Shinpachi turned to the door then. Offered a simple parting without words, and as soon as the door shut behind him, Kinu leaned onto the counter. Takasugi was gone. So was the paper. She didn't know how, but both of them had left. Barely able to keep herself straight, Kinu wobbled to the back of the shop, sans one shoe and stocking. Kept her composure until she shut the door behind herself and wilted against it, panting.

Seemingly out of nowhere, a hand landed on her head, and Takasugi kneeled beside her in the genkan, smirking all the while.

"Oh me, oh my… What a clumsy girl." Dignified in every sense of the word, the man allowed her to lean over his knee. Ran his hand down her back, as she tried to catch her breath and willed her legs to regain their strength. She peered up at him. Couldn't get a word out. "Very well done, Kitten." He murmured, pulling her between his legs. Kinu didn't move as his arms wrapped around her shoulders and fixed her in place against his stomach. Kept the same smug expression he'd donned the moment he'd realized she was at his mercy. "I'd say you even leveled up in lying."

She didn't have to look at her uncovered leg to know it was riddled with hickies and bites that wouldn't fade overnight.

"I almost thought you'd give us away. You came really close, didn't you?" Her underwear were still out of place. Lower than they should have been, but not so far that they would abandon her altogether. The hand returned to Kinu's head, rubbing, then brushing the bangs from her eyes. "Well then… I'll see you tomorrow."

Takasugi moved without warning. Let her drop to the genkan floor, and turned back as she lifted herself up and met his gaze. The bastard was still grinning, right up until he shut the door and left her there.