Kinu didn't know why she was like this. Takasugi was being completely appropriate. He had barely even looked at her, only set a first aid kit beside her and lifted her to the counter beside the sink to get a better look at her knee and arm. She suspected his choice of alcohol was intentional when he poured it over her knuckles and glanced at her. Watched her cringe.

He had to have known she was watching his every move. Was overly aware of his position, just a half step in front of her.

The man took the liberty of unwrapping her hand, and subsequently her wrist. Held her in place as he dumped nearly the full bottle of alcohol on her and she lurched forward. Kinu was caught by his palm. Tried not to make a sound, but knew she had already gasped. Nudged back in place, the girl kept her eyes low. Ran a cloth over her face and neck, trying to look at least halfway presentable. Like she was contributing to his efforts. Just until she could bathe and change. His thigh brushed against her knee as he lifted her arm, and she focused on the tan countertop.

Why was he so serious? Sure, the man was usually intense, even if he was just fooling around with her, he was so silent and focused Kinu couldn't think of anything to say. And there she was, trying not to meet his olive eye, or look at his chest, or the hands skillfully tucking gauze around her bicep. He'd put some kind of cream on it.

She hadn't been able to look at it for fear that she'd meet his gaze and her insides would explode into a mess of butterflies. If she even breathed too deeply she was afraid that a butterfly would escape and dance around the small bathroom. Expose her.

Why didn't Gintoki want this for her? Didn't he know how gentle Takasugi could be? How soft his touch was when his fingertips skimmed up her neck and she was forced to close her eyes?

Kinu had thought getting sex out of the way would lessen the feeling, and she had been horribly mistaken. All she'd managed to accomplish was showing herself what he was capable of. What she was missing.

Nudged back, Kinu blinked as the man lowered himself to her shoulder. He pulled her sleeve down, and her muscles ached as her hand shot up to cover her breast. Because modesty was the best policy, or something like that.

"Lucky you,... You know how people say it was a clean shot?"

Slowly nodding, the girl stared at the medical bag beside her.

"This is the opposite of that." How was that lucky?! That sounded unlucky! "Ever had a bullet fished out without anesthesia before?"

Just the sound of it made Kinu's chest cave. She leaned back, finally meeting his eye, and her lips parted, but nothing came out. Swallowing, she tried to force the gears in her mind to start turning.

"Maybe I should go to an actual doctor…"

"They report gunshots to the police." His voice was low and smooth, and when he met her gaze and was positive he was wearing that little non-smile that meant he was fighting back a laugh. Up to no good. "Especially for wanted criminals… After that little stunt you pulled, spitting on Japan, the Shinsengumi is probably just waiting for you to show up." It did little to lighten the mood. Kinu watched as the man reached into the red and white bag beside her. Pulled out a pair of forceps. "What is it Kitten? You don't trust me anymore?"

Kinu didn't think trust was the issue here. Takasugi without medical tools was terrifying, but with them? He was the unholy doctor. Running experiments on her and trying to bide his time until she bled out and he could strap her to the head of the ship and make lightning strike her. Especially with the way he was eyeing the tool. Turned to her shoulder. He reached for her, quickly brought the tweezers up and she jumped back against the mirror.

"What?" Irritation hung in the man's voice, and Kinu shied away from his outstretched hand. Her palm clamped over her tender shoulder, and she eyed him.

"You did that like a predator; you're trying to hurt me! You came way too fast!"

"You've never complained before." Completely relaxed, the man reached for her again. Her arm was pried down to her lap, and Kinu squinted up at him as his mouth finally curved. "But if that's what you're worried about, I've got plenty of stamina." Fingertips grazed up Kinu's uninjured shoulder, then the nape of her neck, where they latched on. Angled her forward. She was so close she could taste him. Fresh tobacco flooded her senses, and Takasugi's voice lowered a pitch as something dragged up her wound. "More than enough for a few hours… Days..." Something sharp jabbed into Kinu's flesh and she jerked upright. The pain knocked the wind out of her, and though her first instinct was to escape, she was dragged back forward. Brought to face Takasugi again. "Don't move." Head tilted, the man kept his eye on her shoulder.

Fixed Kinu in place with the hand squeezing the back of her neck. Especially when she did the exact opposite of what he'd said, and tried to grab him. His belt. Anything to solidify herself as the metal pieces in her shoulder scraped together. Then his grip branched into her hair, and pinned her there. He made a small sound, light and reprimanding, but when the forceps were retracted from Kinu's shoulder, a single bullet came with them, and his grasp on her retreated.

The bullet was tossed into the sink with a sharp little thud, and Kinu averted her gaze again. Of course it wasn't sexual. Obviously. He just wanted to distract her. Takasugi used a cloth to wipe his tool down. Continued as if nothing had happened.

"We expected them to strike back, but it looks like they're obsessed with using you as a proxy." His voice was perfectly even. Blunt. Not thinking about sex at all, apparently. "Aso owned the bulk of your family debts. You're probably just convenient for them; they don't know where we are."

"It was my fault." Kinu murmured, as he returned with a patch of gauze to place over her wound. How'd he know something like that? "There was a delivery note on the shop and I thought…"

Takasugi met her eyes. Tucked the wrap in his hand around itself and knotted it.

"It doesn't matter." He said, but Kinu turned her head.

"It does. If Matako-chan hadn't been there…" She didn't finish her sentence. Let it hang between them as a palm found her knee. The girl crossed her arms. Still didn't meet his gaze. "I'm weak. I couldn't have done it alone. And I was terrified..."

The man clicked his teeth, sighing.

"It's okay to be afraid, Kitten. As long as what you're fighting for is greater than your fear... Everybody is weak." The last half was nearly a whisper. An echo of an echo. Takasugi lifted his hand to her chin as though he would draw her attention to himself, but didn't touch her. Instead, Kinu looked at him of her own volition. "There isn't a single person that isn't weak." The girl's brows bunched, but her face stayed even. As though she didn't believe him. "Except for me, of course. You, on the other hand…"

A wry smile curled the girl's lips and she lightly batted at his arm.

"I thought you were being nice!"

"You thought wrong." Kinu hit his shoulder again, laughing as Takasugi pulled her towards himself. "What a weak, defenseless murderer. Why, just looking at you, I can tell all of your crimes have been accidents."

"You're not funny!" She pushed into his chest despite the ache begging her not to, as he leaned over her, providing no escape.

"Admit it. You've never jay walked a day in your life have you?" Though she had been laughing, the sound was cut off with a gasp when the man nipped at her neck. His palm inched up her thigh, stopping midway. "Everyone thinks you're so good."

"Why are you helping me? You know I'm leaving after your ship is finished…"

Leaning back, Takasugi met Kinu's eye again. Was as cold as she remembered him when they'd first met.

"For very evil, selfish reasons." He murmured, and she couldn't help but smile. Wanted to laugh, but he gave her no time to. He had her trapped, and made it known with a painful bite to her neck. Palms to the man's chest, Kinu nudged him back. Moved away. Gintoki had said not to. They'd said one more time, but she didn't know if it was a good idea. If they didn't, she could draw it out. Act like she was waiting for that time to come. Takasugi would catch on though. He'd realize her game and probably give her exactly what she wanted. If talking was bad, how much worse was whatever they were doing? Gintoki would blow a gasket.

"Hey- we-" Takasugi was staring at her. Had a look that said he already knew what she was going to say. "I'm serious. We really shouldn't… One last time, okay? Just one." Kinu held her pointer finger up for emphasis. She already regretted the words, and wanted to say the opposite. To tell him that he had been right before, about the feelings, and the not being attracted to Shinpachi, and that she was actually incredibly attracted to him, even if he didn't swing that way and it would be a fruitless endeavor.

She wanted to tell him that she hadn't been able to sleep and had wanted to slip into his bed and wrap herself around his arm, because if anybody could kill somebody that was already in hell it was him, and she was sorry that she hadn't realized something was going on before Gintoki followed him outside because the entire thing could have been avoided if they'd stayed together, and Gintoki hadn't been able to catch them alone.

"Why?"

It was a loaded question. Kinu knew it. Takasugi knew it. There was no good answer to fully convince either of them.

"Don't ask stupid questions…" Voice low, Kinu stared down at her fingers as they twisted against one another in her lap. There was a moment where she thought he wouldn't speak again. Thought he'd walk away from her, and leave it at that.

"I didn't realize Gintoki told you what to do with your life. You want this?" The edge in Takasugi's voice wasn't lost on Kinu. Her brows touched, and she rubbed at the wrap over her wrist, focusing on the tender sting that drew her back in. Was he that mad? "Weak is an understatement. Maybe pathetic excuses for an actual person should go back to crying and sawing their arms off. Dissolve back into their miserable little existence of being daddy's biggest disappointment. Especially if they're that obsessed with their own brother. He's that important?"

Suddenly aware of herself, Kinu released her wrist.

"Yes! That's exactly what they're gonna do. While other sorry excuses murder women and try to bleed out in alleys to kidnap innocent people." She shouldn't have come. What had she been thinking, following Matako back? Allowing Kawakami to convince her it was alright. So eager to have a new, cool, girl friend, that could get her extra Sparkle points to spend on her boyfriend.

"Innocent?" Takasugi scoffed. "You think I'm an idiot? You killed men out there too. Because they thought you were harmless and tried to drag you away."

Every ounce of expression fell from Kinu's face, and her jaw tightened. Olive clashed with cerulean, and Takasugi almost thought she would deny it, but the edge of her mouth curved and she bit down on her lips, pinching them into a fine line.

"I thought they were cannibals."

"That's stupid!"

"You're stupid!" Kinu pushed herself from the counter and Takasugi was forced back with the motion. "It made perfect sense at the time! I was under attack! You were attacking!" She yanked the door open. Didn't have the heart to do this. She hadn't even though of what she'd say to Takasugi when she saw him again. "You know what else I'm gonna do?"

Acutely aware of his steps behind her, Kinu tried to force her anger to the forefront. He'd insulted her. She was upset, she had all the reason in the world to lash out at him. Gintoki would be proud.

"What?" He snapped, and she swiveled around on her heel, glaring at him.

"I'm gonna take the hard road and kill myself if I actually want to, instead of copping out and trying to get other people to do it for me!" The annoyed expression drained from Takasugi's face in a matter of seconds. His back straightened, and his eye narrowed again.

"You don't have the nerve." The man stated, crossing his arms, and Kinu huffed at him.

"Neither do you."

Kinu started down the hallway again, and there was a lapse in Takasugi's steps. Don't follow. She echoed the words in her head as she passed through the empty kitchen, and caught sight of the door, beyond the entry room. A stone's throw away.

"I have a purpose, which is more than I can say for you! What's the hold up, Kitten? It's almost like you don't want to. What did he tell you?" Takasugi's voice was strained. Far more controlled than Kinu had the ability to be.

"He doesn't have to tell me how to recognize myself." Again, Kinu came to a halt. How was Takasugi so calm? He only looked angry. Like he wanted to grab his murdering scythe and reap more lives. "You gonna say I'm wrong? Tell me it's not true?" She could have been. It was only a guess, but Takasugi didn't even flinch.

"I detest you."

"Join the club." Equally expressionless, Kinu met the man's olive eye. "You know almost everything about me. We're not even. Anything Gin-chan said about you may as well be true. You're awful. I don't know anything about you-"

"Then ask me! If you wanted to know something why didn't you ask?!"

"Where are you from?" Without missing a beat, Kinu relayed the question. Thought starting there was the best choice. Takasugi's scowl returned.

"Probably the same place he claims."

"That's not an answer!" What was that supposed to mean to her!? He'd completely avoided a simple, innocent question! It wasn't like she could do anything with that information. Exasperated, Kinu started back towards the entrance hall.

"What does it matter?! You're leaving because Gintoki told you to?!"

"He's my brother! He just wants me to be safe, and if you haven't noticed, I got shot today!"

"He was my brother way before he was yours, and that was just as worthless as whatever delusion you're feeding in that hollow cavern you call a head! What do you think he's going to do? At worst, he'll assume you've been manipulated! That I did this; but he's the one manipulating you!"

"You did! You kept coming back, and asking me how I felt, and saying weird things- you could barely keep your hands off me!" Gintoki wasn't manipulating her! He was worried. Takasugi was completely out of line, trying to make him out to be a villain, when they both knew that Takasugi was the bad guy. He didn't even try to hide it.

"Me?! I was doing a perfectly good job of it!" Takasugi snapped the words back at her. As if he actually believed himself. "You're the one that kept doing weird things!" He caught her at the genkan. Passed her and cut her off.

"Like what?!" Faced with the man, Kinu refused to back down. Stopped, but didn't give up her position.

"Like- you just were! You kept touching me- Don't act like you didn't play a part in this! You know what you did!" The man flung an arm towards the wall. As if the this would be displayed on a projection screen.

A single breath of a laugh pushed its way though Kinu and she turned her head. Stifled it.

"You can't even list anything!" Her mouth was trying to grin and she didn't want it to. Thought Takasugi saw it because his expression soured. Crossing her arms, Kinu rolled her eyes at the look. She pushed past him, aiming for her sandals. "Get out of the way."

"We're not finished."

"I am." The snarky tone did nothing to win the argument as a whole. Yanked back by her collar Kinu was pushed into the pleasant table beside the entrance. A bowl of keys rattled away, and a book toppled to the ground as she gripped him back. Glared up at him.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about." Why wasn't he letting her leave? It was casual. They both knew it was casual, without actually speaking on it. Takasugi had to know it was a disposable friendship, they had no obligation to continue. He was leaving, anyway. His eye bored into her, and she pressed the object in her hand into his wrist, heart pounding.

"Let go… I'll core it like an apple."

The man peered down at the silver notched blade against his flesh, but didn't move.

"You would know a thing or two about that, wouldn't you?" Kinu wasn't sure when they had exerted enough effort to be out of breath, but she was suddenly aware of the fact that they were panting. Of how close he actually was, and the glass dish digging into her lower back. "Tell me you want to leave me. Say it. Do it for yourself but don't use him as an excuse to run off and pretend I did this."

His nose brushed against hers, and her head tilted.

"No."

"You think that poorly of me now? I don't even deserve an explanation?"

"I don't want to."

"Not only are you a puppet, you're a coward, too?" Frowning, Kinu loosened her grasp on the man's wrist. Then what did he want from her?! Don't leave, leave; he needed to make his mind up! She hummed once, a low, disgruntled note that did nothing to curb the sharpness of his glare.

"I can't stand you." She muttered. How could Gintoki expect her to stay away from him? "You disgust me. I don't want to stop. I want to keep going, even if it doesn't work. I want you to leave me." She'd known she'd do this. The moment she was staring up into the brilliant olive green of his eye, and smelled his woodland cologne, Kinu knew she'd falter.

"Then I'm sorry to disappoint, but I'll be keeping you." Takasugi's grip on her collar loosened, and he turned his head sighing. As if imposing on her, but she was the one that couldn't let him go. He released her altogether. Brushed off his sleeve as a sign of the conversation's end and she stared up at him.

Keeping her. Like she was somebody people wanted around. Like he wanted her.

Her box cutter dropped in favor of him. Of his yukata, and his jaw, then his lips and the taste of tobacco. He didn't respond. Remained wide eyed after catching himself on the table. Then he warmed to her touch and she was pushed back against the wall behind her. Simultaneously dragged to the edge of the table.

She couldn't help herself. Butterflies erupted across and through her chest, and her own resolve schismed under the weight of his grasp.

He wanted to keep her, too? Kinu hadn't realized that their friendship was that strong.

Her hips ground into his, and whatever semblance of trust she'd had in Gintoki's judgement of who she should and shouldn't see crumbled between them. She couldn't listen to him and whatever cautionary words and tales he wanted to bestow her. That became clear the moment Takasugi's mouth was sliding up her neck and the sting of his grip on her hair returned full force. Angled her exactly as he wanted her.

Kinu needed Takasugi. Just for now. Until he was finished with her. Takasugi was awful enough that she couldn't taint him. Possibly self destructive enough to be immune to her tendencies and dreadful disposition.

Gintoki could never understand.

Nothing was as real as the man in front of her, ripping her yukata across her body, and reclaiming his place between her legs. She could hold him against herself again. Confidently call him her own, even if it was momentary, and she knew she was injecting herself with delusion every step of the way. Kinu was allowed to wrap an arm around his neck, and tug his navy blue belt away because he never deprived her of any contact when he ravished her.

He cared enough to stop her. Let her relish the sensation of his palms sliding up her sore frame; casting whatever wicked spell he kept in his arsenal to overcome indecisive assholes that were hellbent on leaving him before he deemed it acceptable.

And then he pulled her off the table and turned her over it.

His first ruthless thrust made her gasp. Kinu gripped his hand as she was filled with him, head back and neck vulnerable to the assault of his tongue and the scrape of his teeth as he pulled her over himself.

The moan that tore through her was far louder than anticipated, and he broke away from her throat, slamming into her again. She tried to match her pace to his, and the pressure of his grasp more than doubled. Was painfully captivating as the well of desperation in her spread to the tips of her toes.

The entire table under Kinu shook, and something fell to the floor. Shattered, like glass, or ceramic as she dragged the man to her mouth and nipped at his lower lip.

A short, cut off sound escaped him as he crushed his mouth against hers as his fingers encircled her throat; equally deprived, and muffling the bulk of her voice with another painfully delightful joining of their hips. Her fingers curled through his, sliding up her hip, and he tightened his grasp on her neck before opting for a handful of her chest.

"I fucking hate you-" His voice barely managed to slip through the pressure between them, and Kinu could have laughed. Did, but it was cut off with the crack of his palm on her thigh.

"Me too-" She groaned back, feeling his thumb rubbing against her through her underwear; too troublesome to be dealt with and pushed aside for convenience's sake. The table rocked again, unsteady on its legs, and Takasugi pulled her from it. Yanked her around to face himself and resumed, tugging at the loose collar of her yukata. He shut his eye as Kinu's tongue slipped down his chest, only to return to his neck. He was locked against the girl by the arms around him, and the leg hooked across his thigh. The nails burning a trail down his back.

Something metallic fell. He wasn't sure what. Didn't care.

The man was caught off guard when Kinu pushed into him. Sent him stumbling back, and taking her along for the ride that ended at the genkan step; tripping over shoes, and finally settling partially draped outside of it. Takasugi half expected to need to roll over, and pin her down, but she picked up where they had left off. Giving him a better show than he'd asked for, and trying to find a rhythm of her own.

"We really can't keep doing this-"

Takasugi didn't know how she could say that. She had to feel the chemistry. Feel how perfectly their bodies fit together, especially when she ground her hips against him, and pressed him back against the wooden step.

How desperately they both needed something like this in their lives. Obstacles be damned.

He thought to help her, but it was more fun to lean back and watch, elbows perched across the step and taking in the sight of her unconvincing attempt at drawing a line between them.

"It's a little late for that." She tightened around him, and the girl buried herself in the crook of his neck. Tried to muffle her moan. "We both know I'm irresistible."

"Go to hell." Kinu barely managed to laugh the words.

"Follow me there." Taking a handful of her hair, Takasugi pulled her back. Captured her lips again, and grasped her hip.

"If it's with you..." There was that sweetness again, dribbling over her lips and driving him mad. Cold and sweet, like ice cream.

"Stop talking to me like that." That's what had gotten them into this. If she'd just been normal; not saying things like that to him every chance she got, he wouldn't have needed to keep her. If she'd just let him pass through her life and hadn't needed somebody like him.

He left a trail of bites and red splotches down her throat, until the marks pooled on her chest, perfectly framing the taunt pink of her nipples. All he could think about was the way she clung to him. As though she'd die if she let go. And he was convinced that she would. She would wither away and be that blank slate without him. Gintoki couldn't maintain her. Didn't have the time or the foresight. Takasugi would be cold without her, and satisfied in his icy execution, but where was the fun in that? He wanted duality. The warmth of her skin, and the way her chest heaved as her breath caught and turned to short gasps that his name rode through.

Kinu's arms locked around him, following him down and forcing him to drag her over himself. To roughen her motions to meet the same pocket of frenzied bliss she'd arched into. Gintoki wasn't taking her, too. Hadn't he already done enough? Taken enough from Takasugi?

"Keep going-" Leaning up, the man bucked into her. Forced her to move, despite the lock of her muscles and the hitch in her voice as she whined in his ear.

Kinu couldn't belong to another man, she was entirely his. That was proven by the way she squeaked when he thrust into her one final time. She pressed her fingers into the muscles of his back and shoulders in a sharp massage as he leaned into the curve of her neck, trying not to make a sound.

Even when he finished, her arms stayed around him until he pulled back to savor the image of her over him. Her hands rubbed up his frame, delicate and soft. Comforting and all encompassing. Encouraging him to stay there for eternity. Or at least until he caught his breath. When he did, he pushed Kinu back, only an inch.

"We really need to get better at this condom thing…"

The girl glanced down at the contact. Raised a brow.

"I'm on birth control…" Glancing up at the girl, Takasugi mirrored her expression. "I was anxious, so I went to the doctor."

A short, breathy laugh escaped the man, and he shook his head. Again, she was completely expressionless. He didn't know how she did it but Kinu let him pull her down, smirking and biting back his thoughts.

"Shinsuke," Palm on his stomach, Kinu tilted her head, eyes fixed on the step beside them. "I'm sorry. That wasn't fair to you… We were really good friends…"

Friends? Seriously?

"You should be." Takasugi met her cerulean eyes. Perfectly fixed on him. Striking and with the same unattainable air he'd initially seen in her. He smirked. "After I've been so good to you, I even left a review for your shop."

"Hm?" Frowning, Kinu reached into her yukata. Found her pocket empty, and swept over the floor around them. She looked until the man beneath her held the device up, still wearing that same smug expression he'd started with.

Casting a sidelong glance in his direction, Kinu scrolled through her reviews. Squinted at the only one of its kind, just positive that it was him.

Dreadful apparition behind the counter claiming to be the owner. She scared the children and tried to lure us to a ritual sacrifice. Good rice balls. Two stars.

Left by a Mister Akira Watanabe. Sure. Wasn't that what his library card said? When Kinu looked back up at the man his mouth was fixed in an all too knowing grin. Her entire face had sharpened.

"Give me my virginity back." Openly glaring, Kinu grumbled the words, and Takasugi couldn't contain his laugh.

What was that look?!

She set her phone down, maintaining her irritation, and addressed the real question. The one they'd been avoiding.

"What are we gonna do?"

Suddenly serious, Takasugi glanced over the room.

"We couldn't have known... Need to be on the same page."

"Are you better? Not sick?" Kinu wasn't evaporating through his fingers. Some fever dream he'd conjured up in the night.

"Like I said, I don't get sick."

"Let's not tell him." Her voice was barely audible. Kinu's thumb traced his lower lip, and Takasugi squeezed her hips. "It's none of his business. While you're here, whenever you're here... come back to me."

Again, an expression broke through her. Soft and airy. Longing. It hadn't fully registered to him before, and he knew that now. He'd written her off as deadpan for so long he'd been missing the look, but she'd used it on him multiple times. Maybe it was because he hadn't realized how irritated he was without her to bully. Or maybe he hadn't wanted a look like that to set on him ever again. But this time, he met her bruised lips, and tasted the hints mint chocolate clinging to her skin. Wondered if he could turn over and start again, because she had to know better than to speak to him like that.

Kinu pressed into him, bare chest to his as he pulled her back to his lap. Exactly what he'd wanted. She'd wait for him, and be here when he returned. As much as he wanted to take her and be done with it, he couldn't risk it. Takasugi wasn't willing to jeopardize the possibility of something tangible just yet. Not by throwing her into a series of life threatening events.

He wanted her here, on the ground. Unblemished when he finished. Then he could take her.

"And text me- text me sometimes." Kinu broke away from him, gasping the words as if they had been an afterthought.

"Every day."

As soon as he spoke, the girl leaned up and her hands raised to her collar as if taken by surprise. She looked down. As if surprised by what she found in his lap, but he was far less bashful about it. Rolling over, Takasugi dragged the girl over the genkan step.

"One isn't enough." It really wasn't. Kinu put up a weak defense. Mostly laughing. But she was his for the moment. As long as he could fantasize about something other than the fate he already knew, without a single doubt, that he'd made for himself.