A/N: Hey all! I meant to thank you, Hues, for the last review! I was in such a rush to edit that I forgot to respond in an author's note afterwards. I really appreciate it, as always! Hope you enjoy this as well!
Every ounce of Kinu's energy stores were depleted after speaking with her mother. The short version was that Ai threw money at her and told her to orchestrate the restoration of the tea room in the back of the house and save the long forgotten garden. The long version was that Ai had been squirreling money away, like she had, and claimed that the family debt was now manageable. Nearly taken care of. The pink slip on the front door had been removed, and even her father's personal debt had taken a huge dent. Something about a client at the hostess club, and making almost a million yen in two nights.
Apparently, costumes did draw more customers willing to be irresponsible with their money.
The request for the job didn't come through Ai though, it was Riku that had ultimately set it up and accepted the deal.
"He's a shady character, but who cares?" Her mother had said, chuckling into her palm. "Once the money's in the system, and taken off our bills, there's hardly anything he can do. He'll be the one you'll be hosting the ceremony for, so be on your best behavior."
Conflicting thoughts came after that. Ai had been using some guy for his money at work, and that was questionable. But the fact that he was willing to waste so much money at a hostess club was pointedly more questionable. Kinu was just glad that she wasn't the one doing it, because she didn't think she was cut out for actual hostess work.
As Kinu walked down the quickly darkening street, she kept a pocky stick propped in her mouth and looked up at the flashing lights of the casinos and hostess clubs that littered the main road. Somewhere, amidst the chaos of wandering people with an active nightlife, her father was slinking around in bars and casinos. He hadn't been home in over a day, as far as she could tell, and she needed his help.
Kinu wasn't sure what she had expected. As she weaved through the droves of people crowding the street she didn't feel like she belonged any more than before, but she felt tiny and invisible among them. It would have been nice if they all stopped moving and rushing around her.
Or maybe that'd be creepy.
She hadn't realized she'd stopped on the edge of the crowd, huddled near a building to watch the women handing out samples in front of a restaurant. Little bites of food stabbed through with a toothpick. In the shadows of the alleyway, Kinu squinted at the hanging sleeves of a honey yellow yukata, draped around a graceful woman that was offering her tray to a patron. She even bowed her head, and subtly revealed her dainty wrist.
If Kinu had sleeves, maybe she'd try that one time. She wondered if Takasugi liked wrists.
Then again, maybe it was better not to...
"Oi, tha hell'r you doin' here?"
Nearly jumping out of her skin, Kinu hopped away from the alley wall. As if she could hide the fact that she'd been peeping at the women in front of the restaurant. But her father had already seen her. She was dragged out of the darkness by her arm, and Riku frowned down at her wide eyed expression. His face was flushed. Already drunk. But his expression quickly passed with the breath of a laugh.
"Brats like you shouldn't be out at a hour like this." The man said, but he released her arm. Sighed.
"I was just-"
"Pretty ain't they? Yer ma's out here sometimes. Ya know them young girls ain't got nothin' on her." He started to walk, and his palm patted her back, urging her alongside him and she followed. Her gut twisted as she glanced at the man, and her shoulders drew into a tight knot. But he didn't stop. Neither did she. "Reminds me of tha old days. When we went ta school and she kept bringin' me them lunches. Kept sayin' please accept ma feelin's and it was so damn cute ah couldn't say no."
Lifting a pocky stick to her mouth, Kinu stared at the ground. Maybe that was the key. She'd make Takasugi a lunchbox.
No, that was stupid. He already ate her cooking whenever he came to the shop, and they weren't in school. It would be inconvenient to him; he'd be obligated to return it, and she'd look desperate.
"Dad," The man paused as Kinu spoke. Frowned back at her, as if the title sounded as unnatural as it felt to her. "Do you remember grandpa's koto?"
The man didn't move or respond for what felt like ages. Then he sucked in a breath and turned his head.
"Yeah, I remember."
Heart pounding, Kinu slowly nodded. She averted her gaze then. Did the same as him, and shifted uncomfortably as people streamed by.
"Could you… Maybe-"
"No." Riku started walking again, and Kinu stood stalk still as he left her side, slack jawed. She hadn't even gotten the question out!
Picking up pace, she rejoined the man, leaning in front of him.
"Just once! Go over it with me. Show me how to do it again, I-"
"Girl, I ain't got time ta play tea party with ya no more."
Riku walked into a building, and she caught the door, instinctively following.
"Not for a game! I never ask you for anything; just one time. Just help me once and I won't ask again!"
The man paused, and sighed as he turned back to her.
"Damn noisy brat. Don't be callin' attention ta me out there."
"I'll scream. I'll scream Inoue Riku is over here, come get the money he owes you."
"That ain't nothin' ta joke about!" Snapping back at her, Riku huffed and a heavy hand gripped Kinu's shoulder. "Tell ya what, girl. I'll help ya." Relief flooded through Kinu, until he spoke again. "If ya get a drink down and can hold yer liquor, I'll help ya as much as ya want." Riku laughed and slapped the back of her shoulder, far rougher than necessary. Pain radiated through her, and she cringed, feeling at the wraps under her yukata.
What? Eyes on the wooden floor, Kinu frowned to herself. He wanted her to drink? But she'd never had alcohol before. She didn't know what it would do to her. Maybe it would be like smoking though. She could smoke and be fine. Her dad was only so sloppy and out there because he drank so much, right? Her father took a seat, motioning to the man behind the counter as he did, and Kinu carefully eased into the seat beside him.
"Gimme a regular, an one fer tha girl."
She could do it. He'd help her all she wanted after this. It was just going to taste bad. Kinu took in the various tables speckled around the dusty room, and the sleek wooden counter she was seated at. A form on the other side of her father poked his head past the man, and Kinu met the pair of dead crimson eyes.
"Oi, whaddaya doing? We were supposed to talk. Alone. She's not-" Gintoki's mouth was covered by Riku's palm and he turned to Kinu.
"Ya want somethin' cute an fruity? Yer ma liked the fruity ones."
Kinu didn't like the idea of alcohol, but fruit would probably make it easier to get down. It took her a moment to respond. To fully process the situation, but she decided that it could be good. A moment to bond, or hear more stories about him and how he actually liked her mom still. She wondered if Ai knew. If she didn't, Kinu would have something to tell her when their homelife went south again. Something comforting and reassuring. Like she should have, naturally bobbing around in her head.
"Uh… yeah…"
"'Kay, give'r the-"
Kinu made a face at Gintoki as her father ordered something for her. Was met with a frown.
"Don't give her any alcohol. Ki, you lost your damn mind? This is no place for kids. Why'd you even bring her here, old man?" As the man spoke, he lifted his half empty cup from the counter, and Riku patted his shoulder.
"Gintoki- c'mon. The girl was jus standin' there outside. Like ah could leave mah own daughter out there. Hell, I aint seen 'er outta the house in ages, let 'er have 'er fun." The silver haired samurai frowned at Riku as drinks were placed in front of them. Kinu was staring down into hers. Some orange concoction of juice and, presumably, sake. Or liquor. Honestly, she wasn't quite sure... Gintoki didn't wait for her to finish studying it before he stood and grabbed the girl by the back of her yukata. Yanked her to her feet.
"Those four years make you forget how to be a dad? You can't just give her-"
"What'd ah tell ya 'bout lookin' down on me Gintoki? It's been years since then. Am back now, ya didn't have ta take care a mah family. Hell, ah-"
It sounded like Kinu shouldn't be there. She'd always been acutely aware of the tension between her father and Gintoki, but she'd never heard them speak on it. While it was true that Riku had skipped out after the war, Gintoki hadn't taken a fatherly role to her. It was just hanging out. Babysitting.
As soon as she was on her feet, Kinu saw the threat. Gintoki looked down, and found her with her head tilted straight back; chugging the icy contents of the cup.
"Ki!" A hand swiped at the drink but she had been too stealthy. Looking up at the man, Kinu set her cup on the bar. Her face remained even as he gaped down at her. Uncertain.
Was that her first drink? Only a psychopath would drink an entire cup that quickly! Even experienced drinkers would only sip, especially with those girly drinks. They were fruity to hide more alcohol!
Riku sank back into the counter behind himself, grinning up at Gintoki, and even the barkeeper, a younger man that looked to be in his twenties, was staring at Kinu in shock.
"What the hell?! You can't just drink something that fast! You're gonna be sick!"
Looking up at the man, Kinu took the umbrella from her empty glass on the counter. Everything was so weird all of a sudden. She felt like she was moving, but she could see that she was standing still.
"I'm fine." She opened and closed the mini umbrella. Focused on it as though it was the most interesting thing she had seen, and Riku laughed beside them.
"See? She's fine!"
Gintoki couldn't believe this. That wasn't the case! Riku had been drinking for years, and Gintoki didn't think Kinu ever had. She was a ticking time bomb! The older man shrugged. Downed his glass in one go, in an act of solidarity and ordered another. The girl in front of him took a step towards the exit. She opened the tiny umbrella in her hands and looked up at Gintoki, suddenly swaying to the side, and he reached out to steady her but she managed.
"I did it. I drank it and kept it down. Now ya gotta help me, old man." Old man?! When had Kinu ever called her dad that? Riku laughed, and shook his head. Waved the words away. "Good day, sirs." The girl opened the umbrella in her hand again and spun on her heel, but her ankles did something funny. Her weight all went to one side and she waved her arms to catch herself on the table that had mysteriously appeared behind her.
She was wasted! That one drink had been enough to finish her! Kinu started towards the door, but was stopped by Gintoki's grasp. Was thrown over his shoulder. This was beyond irresponsible! As soon as she was hoisted up the girl started to laugh and smack at his back. "I said good day!"
Behind them, Riku stood and stumbled forward.
"Oi! Gintoki thas mah daughter! Ya can't just-"
"Then maybe you should learn how to act like it!" Snapping back at the man, Gintoki shoved the door open.
"Ya said ya'd drink with me! What're ya doin'?" Couldn't he see that was the least important thing?! Gintoki was in the habit of relocating troubled teens. He had no time for brain dead adults.
"God damn it Riku, I'm coming back for you! I heard everything!" Pointing at the man, Gintoki barked the words.
"Onii, Nii, Onii-chan," Smacking at the man's back, Kinu kicked her legs. "Pu'mme down." Why'd Gintoki get stuck with this?! Just his luck! Hell, he just wanted a drink and a good night doing nothing and maybe playing slots, not this! And what would have happened if he hadn't been there? "-chaaaan, yer so mean. Oi, I- I wanted the maid café-"
"What? Go some other time, they'll think you're a lowlife if you go like this! Stop smacking my ass!"
"Thas a back, not an ass!" Frowning at the streaked hair hanging in front of her Kinu stared at the wobbly ground. "You never lemme do fun stuff…" The man didn't answer, but she knew he'd heard her. "You gotta tail now. But iss'the wrong color. Yer tail is retarded."
"Your head is retarded! Shut up."
People were looking at Gintoki. Women were covering their mouths and laughing at him as the girl flopped against his back, and he weaved through the crowded street. It was only a twenty minute walk or so. He thought he still had the key to the tea shop, but he wasn't sure. Maybe Ai would be running the storefront. If Kinu was here, that was the most likely explanation.
"I'dun feel so good…"
Frowning, the man paused. No way was she throwing up on him. He quickly pulled the girl from his shoulder and set her on her feet, stepping back as he did, but Kinu dropped straight back on her unstable legs and sat there. Pulled the full deer in headlights look.
"You thought I was gonna puke." Hands on the ground, Kinu tipped her head back, laughing as she spoke.
"What'd you expect me to think?! Wait till I tell Ma you let that idiot get you drunk, she's gonna kill you." Or both of them, Gintoki realized. Ai always blamed both of them if they were together when something went wrong. House dirty when she got off work and they're playing Bintendo? Both scolded. Made a mess in the kitchen and left it? Both in trouble and even Otose would know when Gintoki finished watching her.
"I's'okay." Was it?! Gintoki didn't think it was! He was still trying to remember if he had that key to the main house. If he could sneak her up the stairs without Ai knowing. He dug into his pocket, feeling around for his keyring, but a dark form behind Kinu stole his attention. He looked up, found the signal olive eye, and the last dark haired bastard he wanted to see at a time like this. "Yer gonna sneak me in my room. "Raising a hand Kinu waved a single finger towards the man. "And not tell'er. Cause you'll be in trouble too."
Takasugi had only glanced in Gintoki's direction. Saw him standing there, looking down at something and intended to slip by, but when he looked again, closer, Kinu was sitting on the ground.
He stopped. Unintentionally. The man beyond Kinu kept his eyes on him as the girl pushed herself up and dusted her clothes off, unaware of his presence.
"The hell are you doing here?"
"Me? You dropped me here! Somethin's wrong with yer head!" Leaning forward, Kinu over enunciated the words.
"Walking." Takasugi met Kinu's gaze as she shot a curious glance over her shoulder. Why was she all flushed? The girl turned to face him, and her head lolled to one side.
"Ki, don't even worry about him. Let's go-"
"Shin-" Gintoki was about to grab her but she flopped into Takasugi's chest and pressed her freezing hands against him as he frowned at her. Gintoki was just behind her. Stuck between anger and shock. Ignoring the look, Takasugi focused on the girl. What the hell was she doing? They were supposed to be keeping this private. Why were her hands cold? It was the middle of summer.
"Sh- she's drunk, don't- o- oi get away from him!"
Drunk? Hands hovering over the girl's shoulders, Takasugi peered down at her. Kinu grinned back at him with that same, adoring look she always had when they met. There was one difference though. It wasn't a tiny, invisible smile. It was overt. She was outwardly expressive, and honestly, it was creepier that it wasn't creepy. It gave him the jitters. Her hands slipped around his sides; a habit she'd developed after realizing that he kept his ship cold, and the covers weren't as thick as she'd liked.
"This's fer you." Pressing a miniature umbrella into his chest, Kinu stared at it. He didn't know how to react, but it felt like his face was doing something weird. His hand covered the tiny umbrella. Took it. Because what else could he do?
"Uh… Thank you…"
The back of Kinu's yukata was grabbed and she was pulled away before she could latch on again. A short, whining sound escaped the girl, and she reached for Takasugi.
"Don't touch him Ki, just let him pass. He'll go away." Gintoki shoved himself between them, glaring at Takasugi's unamused stare. "He's not gonna bother you."
Tilting her head again, Kinu peered at the one eyed man from behind her brother's shoulder. A single loud giggle broke through her, and Takasugi's eye widened. She pushed her way past Gintoki, and shuffled back against the one eyed man.
"Leave 'im alone, Nii-chan."
"Can't you do this with another stranger? He's the worst person, don't-"
"But he's my favorite." Takasugi turned his head as she sighed the words, unable to keep himself from grasping her side. She was completely out of it. Kinu couldn't be out here like this. She needed to go home. He wondered what other embarrassing things she'd say to him if he could play with her alone, but that was far less important. "I's'okay. He's gay."
"What?" Frowning down at the girl, Takasugi froze. He pushed the girl back by her shoulders. That was the wrong kind of embarrassing thing! Behind Kinu, Gintoki burst into a fit of laughter, waving his hand towards them.
"Yes! Yes he is!"
She couldn't be serious, right?
"He's gonna find a nice boyfriend one day" The girl bypassed his hands. Plopped back in place.
"I already have-"
"What? Who? You gotta introduce me." Her! It was her and she was stupid! What was she even babbling on about?! "No wonder you like yakult so much." Kinu murmured, and he glared down at her.
"He's as gay as they come! Ya know, one time there was a courtesan and-"
"It's full of good bacteria! Oi! What's that supposed to mean!?"
"-he didn't touch her but wouldn't let me have her! He's selfish, short, and gay!"
"Shinsuke," Hazy eyed, Kinu pouted. "I'don feel so good. I wanna go home."
Takasugi didn't have time for this, he needed to meet with Sasaki. Gintoki was glaring at them. Had to have heard her call him by his given name, even if it had been low.
"Take her home." Cutting Gintoki off before he could start again, Takasugi stared down at the girl hugging him. Did she even realize how awkward she'd made this? Still, as he looked down at the useless drunk plastered to him, he couldn't be entirely angry. Annoyed, yes, but she looked miserable. The man across from him held an odd, twisted expression that could be summed up by two words. Utter confusion.
What the hell was she doing out at this hour stumbling around the streets like some kind of scoundrel? Had she run out of books? He could see Kinu trying to hold a back alley book deal. Or breaking into a library with a pillowcase and just saying put them in the bag.
With a sigh, he patted the girl's head and she hardly moved. Just stood there, relishing the impossibly gentle way he touched her. Barely grazing her skin, and nearly nonexistent. She hadn't realized he could be so soft-handed.
Gintoki was hovering behind her. Closer now. Had his hand on his bokken. Was it his doing? He'd talked the girl into drinking? That didn't seem like something he'd do. If he had time, this would have been a bit different, Takasugi could deal with her on his own, but…
"God damn it..." His touch was featherlight as he nudged her back by her shoulders and she pouted up at him. Was oblivious to his annoyance. "Go with that idiot."
"But the maid café…"
"Maid café my ass! You're not going anywhere like that!" Pulled backwards by her yukata, Kinu nearly tripped. Waved her arms, and just stood there. "Get away from that pervert, who knows what he's thinking right now! He's awful with women, this is probably the first time he's even had one this close!"
Squinting at Gintoki, the one eyed man raised his pipe, bowl end up. He gave the back of it a firm tap. Flung the still burning embers at the man, and Gintoki hopped back. He lurched forward; smacking at his silver curls.
"Oi!"
"Don't make me out to be some kind of lecher. You're a terrible babysitter! Why the hell is she drunk?!" Takasugi wasn't sure when Kinu had shimmied her way back against him, but as he looked down at the girl she was exactly as she had been before. Just leaning into him, with her arms wrapped around his back. Icy, and burning against the scratches she'd etched into his skin.
And he was holding onto her. He couldn't help it. It had been too natural to take notice in the act. More importantly, her hand had completely bypassed his belt and she had a handful of his ass. Slowly turning to fix his awkward expression on the girl, Takasugi clenched his jaw.
"Why're you yelling?" The girl against him tightened her arms. Whispered the words so low he had to read her lips. Her voice had been gradually dropping off the entire time, and now she was speaking lower than usual. His hand flattened against the small of her back. They were both fucking this up. "Ne, your cologne is nice. Is it new?" She'd noticed. "You smell like moss." Kinu buried her face in his chest, inhaling, and he fought the twitching of his face to maintain his stern expression.
He hated that he could still tell what she was saying when there was no voice behind her words. Only certain syllables were peeking out of her sentences now.
"I expected better of you. Getting her- she's underaged."
"Why the hell do you think I did it?!" Gintoki snapped back at him and glanced down at the girl again. She wasn't even moving. "Between you and her old man, I don't know which one's worse. Ki, is he groping you?! Where's his hand?!"
Where was her hand?! She was touching him, not the other way around!
Takasugi started to move her back again, but she didn't react in the slightest. Was deadweight. When she slouched back, he found a trail of spit at the corner of her mouth and glanced down at his chest. Sleeping? How the hell had she fallen asleep standing?!
Seriously? She'd drooled on him and he couldn't even say anything incredibly witty and scathing to her?
With a sigh, Takasugi scooped Kinu off her feet. She was limp in his arms as he offered her over. The silver haired samurai stood there, brow furrowed. As though he didn't understand.
"See to it that she gets home safely, Gintoki."
Still unsure of the situation, he stood there. It took him a moment to accept the girl, but when he did, it was with a low questioning tone.
"Uh, yeah. Sure."
As soon as he took the girl, Takasugi passed, and Gintoki turned as he did, staring after the man. The single hand waving over his shoulder.
What did that mean? Gintoki started down the alley, crossing over towards the tea shop, still turning the words over in his mind. Was it a threat? See to it that she got home safely… For now? So he could murder her later? That didn't sound right. Was something going on?
Gintoki had been one wrong move away from drawing his bokken. He expected an attack. Why would he just hand Kinu over like that? It had to mean he was planning something more horrible than killing her, the crazy bastard. He never just offered up hostages.
But why the hell would Kinu waltz right over to him and nosedive into his yukata? She didn't like strangers. And she'd called him Shin, like she was gonna say his given name, but maybe she was confused? Gonna say Shinpachi. That had to be it.
But she'd called him her favorite…
Lights shone through the tea shop windows, and as Gintoki pulled the door open, Ai looked up from her post behind the counter. Glass and towel in hand, she frowned at the form hanging over Gintoki's arms, as though she'd seen a ghost. Her eyes went wide and she sucked in a breath, and he averted his gaze.
"Honey… What's going on?"
"That idiot gave her a drink." He grumbled, kicking the small door blocking access to the space behind the counter. It swung open, and he turned sideways to ease through. Avoid hitting Kinu's head on the display case.
"Oh, thank god." Ai clapped a hand over her stomach, as if hearing the words relieve some sort of pressure on her. She panted. Swallowed. Ai was already at his side, holding the girl's face in her hands as if she thought it would wake her, but Gintoki shook his head.
"It's no use, she's out…" He started towards the house door, but turned back half way. "Ma, you noticed any deadbeat samurai around lately?"
Placing a finger on her chin, Ai frowned at the ceiling.
"You mean like you?"
"No!" That wasn't funny! This was serious and she wanted to joke, but Gintoki needed to know exactly how Takasugi and Kinu knew each other, if they did. It wasn't likely that she'd walk up to a stranger and pass out, no matter how drunk she was. Being a customer in the shop wasn't enough, either. That Shin could have been a Shinpachi, but it could have been a Shinsuke as well, and Gintoki was no fool. If she was calling Takasugi by his given name, that implied something all too serious, and he wasn't about to overlook it. Not even for her. "More like the dangerous, creepy, cyclops kind."
If Kinu had gotten mixed up with the wrong crowd he'd fix it. Stop her before it got worse. Hell, even Takasugi had been suspicious. Gintoki knew him well enough to expect him to shove a random drunk off himself. Even worse, Kinu had drooled on him, and Takasugi could be a prissy little bitch when it came to germs. Random drool should have pissed him off. He should have pushed her off or threatened her, even if it was just to get back at Gintoki. But he'd been holding onto her. Hadn't reacted to her easing her hands into his yukata and wrapping herself around him, and looked genuinely angry when he'd accused Gintoki of doing it. He'd picked her up and handed her over, only telling Gintoki to ensure her safety.
Was it a ray of the former goodness in him? Or ominous?
"No one creepy. Definitely not anyone that could be a danger to Ki, dear. Stop worrying, it'll make your hair curly." Frowning, Gintoki stared at the woman. She pursed her lips, and returned the look.
"Er… Gray. Gray works better."
If Ai hadn't noticed anyone, did that mean they'd met somewhere else? In secret? Or maybe he was reading too far into it. Maybe they hadn't known each other outside the shop, and Takasugi decided he was above taking advantage of drunk women. Just for that moment. That made sense. If he did it in front of Gintoki, he knew it would be a sign of weakness. That he'd be pathetic. The lowest of the low, and it would make him lose face, so he'd reverted to what had been normal before, and washed his hands of the encounter altogether.
Maybe Kinu would walk up to a stranger drunk, thinking anybody short with dark hair was Shinpachi, because she was so obsessed with making something of her teenaged life that she hadn't looked at his face.
He decided that he was being paranoid, and Takasugi was trying to screw with his head. But as he laid the girl on her futon, she turned and murmured, just under her breath.
Smacked his hand away and called him the wrong name. The worst name.
It wasn't until Takasugi had crossed half the distance to his ship that he notice the form stalking him in the shadows. He didn't have to look back to know who it was. A moment was spent, acting as though nothing was amiss, and he puffed his pipe, fully aware of the man slipping between alleys as though he thought himself stealthy.
"Are you that obsessed with me, Gintoki?" Halting in the middle of the back road, Takasugi released a cloud of smoke into the night air. "Contrary to popular belief, I'm not the slightest bit interested in your confession. I don't swing that way." He glanced back then. Found the man in the open road, scowling at him.
"Didn't I tell you to stay away from her, Shinsuke?"
Looking towards the open ocean ahead of him, Takasugi was unable to smother the curve of his lips.
"Ah, was that you? Or… was it Onii-chan?"
The movement behind him came in a rush that widened his stance. Sword in hand, Takasugi whipped around. Caught Gintoki's bokken. He couldn't hold it anymore. He laughed, shoving the man, and himself, back a step.
"Really? You'd attack me over something so arbitrary? You want to protect her from me that badly?" Swiping his blade across Gintoki's stomach, Takasugi was disappointed to meet the resistance of wood. "Don't give me that hero act. Where the hell have you been when she's needed actual protecting?" Takasugi was surprisingly prepared for the knee that tried to ram into his thigh. He'd seen that move before, and knew better than to be still.
Blocking the low blow with his own knee, he moved aside.
"Who's protecting her from herself? Or her father? I'm gone for one week and you did nothing to help her. Got her plastered." If Gintoki was going to be direct, Takasugi wasn't going to play games with him. "And she still thinks you're perfect. That you actually care; but when Riku is slapping her mother around who do you think takes the brunt of those blows, Onii-chan? It's certainly not her mother."
"What?" Gintoki breathed the word back, no longer holding his bokken to strike, but gaping at Takasugi. As if he'd uncovered a relic of the past that needed to be sent to a lab to be analyzed before properly responding.
"Ai has a heart condition; she can't take a punch. But you know who can?"
The silver haired samurai looked away, tight jawed.
"Here you are, pretending to be her protector. From what, Gintoki?" Disinterestedly looking away, Takasugi drew his pipe from his yukata again, puffing. Sword still drawn in case Gintoki got any bright ideas. "I'm going to return to the shop as often as I want. I'm going to be there in the morning when she wakes up; because she's going to be sick and I owe her. If you meddle again, I'm going to find you."
"Ma didn't say anything about him… They didn't tell me he was doing it again."
"If you knew about it there shouldn't have been an opportunity for an again! "
"You're on a high horse now?" Crimson eyes glared back at Takasugi, and he held his position. Didn't dare break contact, because for once, he actually was in the right. Gintoki's pretend house was crumbling around him, and nothing could salvage the paper bricks he'd thought shielded him from reality. Popping in every blue moon wasn't doing anybody any good, and was a pain in Takasugi's ass. "Think you can just start dishing out demands and orders like I'm gonna roll over and take it?"
"That is what the shogun's dogs do, isn't it?"
"Do I look like I'm barking to you?! Anybody with a brain could see what you're doing!"
"Oh?" Smoke trailed from Takasugi's lips. "And what would that be?"
"You're taking advantage of her, and playing out some sick, late savior fantasy!"
Savior fantasy? What planet was Gintoki living on? Takasugi expected a lot of accusations, but that wasn't one of them. He didn't want to save anybody, least of all, Kinu. He wanted to watch her unfold for himself. Witness the transformation and encourage her along the way to embracing the true bitterness within her. To become like him but better. Healthier. Something he could keep, because that powder soft coating was going to rub off one day, and she needed to learn how to say no. Before she was left raw, and aching more than when he'd found her.
He'd rather her sharp and angry, over dead.
"Ki is innocent! She doesn't know anything about the real world, or men, or actually defending herself, and if you think I'll stand by and watch you lure her in you're wrong!"
"Are you really that dense, Gintoki? No wonder you failed to keep her alive."
"What are you talking about? She's fine, idiot."
"Honestly? You have no idea?"
There was a stint of silence, in which Takasugi realized exactly how tight of a lid Kinu had kept on everything. Her defenses had been down because she thought he'd leave. Gintoki, on the other hand, was a permanent figure to her. She'd never let it slip in front of him. Takasugi wasn't going to out her.
"You're a real piece of work." He muttered, before drawing his pipe back to his lips. "I think I'd rather kill you over something worthwhile. My personal affairs have nothing to do with you." Takasugi turned on his heel, started back on his path to the ship. "Point your sword where it matters, Gintoki."
He wondered if that was enough. If he'd sewn enough discord to make Gintoki act on his own and confront Riku before he did. He expected Gintoki at breakfast tomorrow. Knew he'd be more involved with less problems now that he partially thought he'd failed Kinu and her family, and that this would open an entire redemption act from him to make it up to her.
"Oi,"
Pausing, Takasugi stifled the curve of his lips to look back.
"What… what are you to her?"
"I'm her friend." She called him that enough for it to be natural, right? "Possibly her best friend, now that I think about it; though I'm not entirely familiar with the colloquial terms of female comradery." Again, Takasugi needed to look away. Gintoki was broken. He couldn't help but grin. "Aside from that little red head, maybe. Kamui's sister… She really likes hanging out with her." Takasugi took another step, then turned back one last time, frowning. "Not so much that boy, though. Her words, not mine."