On his way home with little light to guide him, Okita Sougo encounters a menacing presence. Four of them, he observed as he takes a stance despite the bags and other presents he held.

The nostalgic bridge he'd come across to has wavering figures over it. At a distance, he could only make out of their forms but watching closely, it seemed that the infamous Diamond Perfume was just drunkenly passing by.

He waited for them to stop hogging the bridge to themselves, but minutes passed and they were still there.

Being exhausted and tense from carrying the presents, Sougo decided to excuse himself from the ladies. He can't be any more late, after all.

Just greet them and leave, Sougo tells himself when he strolled towards the wooden bridge. However, when he got close enough to see their faces, he was suddenly at a loss.

With the help of the light posts, he was able to see the tears streaming on their flushed faces, confirming that they are, indeed, drunk as hell. A string of incoherent mumblings and hiccups could be heard from them while they stared at the river. They were suspiciously, dare he say, behaved. So he took extra precaution as though they were hiding a bomb. Knowing them, it's not entirely impossible.

They might also be reminiscing, but he got no time for that.

Minding their own business, Sougo didn't find it necessary to greet them, the old harem of Sakata Gintoki. But when he stepped right behind them, he's held by their quiet voices.

"This place is really special for her, right? Kagura-chan's favorite spot aside from the park."

"Causing troubles and then meeting them head-on... I'm sure this bridge has witnessed them countless of times."

"I'm genuinely glad for her, you know? I mean, she doesn't even need Gin-san to talk to when she's here."

"A sanctuary she finds solace and peace with, huh? She chose a great place of beautiful scenery."

Sougo took a peek below and saw what exactly keep bringing her to this place. At daytime, it consists of people socializing with each other, highlighting the events she especially keeps in her heart along with the fights and insults they've exchanged.

At night, there's a significant change in the atmosphere. With fewer people, there's more room to take in the surroundings. The silence with the occasional chirp of the crickets and the comforting sway of the wind. There's the gentle rush of the river while some fish dance along with it. The most special thing about her nightly affairs in here must be the fireflies that give off an enchanting and mystical air around.

And then he sees her there, sucking her pickled seaweed as she takes the spotlight with the moon's glow.

"Mr. Policeman," Otae soberly called out to him with a huge smile. "Could you do these ladies a favor?"

Kyuubei hands out a paper bag, her cheeks flushing from the alcohol. "We heard Kagura-chan's husband is having his 24th birthday."

"Madao the mailman is not here, you see," Sarutobi reasoned, cleaning her glasses while looking at no one. "We don't have a chaperone- Ow, what the hell, Tsukki!"

Tsukuyo took a large swig from the bottle and laughed maniacally. "Booze! Gimme more booze!"

From Tsukuyo's assault, Sarutobi has accidentally let go of her glasses, shouting and rapping while stomping her feet. Otae wonders why Tsukuyo has brought back her old drunken self when she's supposedly improved and then insults the latter. Meanwhile, Kyuubei stood still as her foot stepped on something which was followed by a crunch. It was the glasses.

As they got worse, Sougo crossed the bridge and proceeded to call Kondou, Toujou, Hattori, and Gintoki to handle them.

What a mess.

He was finally at home.

Standing at their doorstep, he could hear shuffling of feet inside. When he opened the door, his brows knitted. There were flowers scattered on the floorboard forming a trail that leads somewhere. He followed it as he decided to entertain her, throwing the presents in one corner. He passed by the living room where both of them shared a good time fighting physically and verbally. The trail continued to the dining room where they would often have eating contests while throwing each other foods. The next place he went in was the kitchen, remembering how she sneakily eats what he had just cooked.

Where is she going with this?

The trail leads back to the living room, unto the laundry area that's as memorable as the dirty clothes he'd throw at her face and she can't fight back because of the bubbles on her hands. He sighed when he got to their backyard, the flowers endless by how long he had walked, like how long the stories and spats their families shared while lounging in the place. After a while, he then entered the most special room out of their home.

Cascaded in a soft glow from the scented candles, the frames of Kouka and Mitsuba were gathered atop a tall table. On their sides were two boxes wherein everyone's letters lie. On the smaller table, there was a paper. It consisted of a sloppy drawing of Sadaharu and bold letters of "HAPI BIRTHDAY!"

Sougo almost smiled.

Just when he thought her game is done, she gave him another surprise when he turned to the door.

"Welcome home, Sadist! And," While prolonging her word, she raised some kind of an object and gleefully said, "Happy birthday!" Sadaharu energetically barked below her, biting a bag of sukonbu and some spicy snacks.

"You went out behind my back again." He accused of her, petting Sadaharu as she leaned down to show him the object she held. "And what the hell is this? Did the Shimura visited and taught you how to make dark matter?"

Where did she find the energy to do all these?

Kagura put a hand on her hip, harrumphing at her husband's comment. "How rude! It's a homemade birthday cake, can't you see? The Internet said it's more romantic if the wife bakes the cake. It's delicious and romantic, yes?"

The said husband rolled his eyes exasperatedly. Despite that, he took a bite of her product, eyes widening when it really tasted good.

"China, what witchcraft did you pull on this one?"

Kagura smugly smiled and was about to get off Sadaharu when she began coughing.

It's starting again.

There was no time to waste.

"Sadaharu." Sougo urgently called, his tone already familiar to the dog deity's ears. Sadaharu quickly went to the couple's room, feeling Kagura tightly clutch at his fur when her coughs got violent.

When they arrived, Sougo carried Kagura from Sadaharu's back and carefully laid her down on the arranged bed. While doing so, Sadaharu left the bag of their favorite snacks as he went to the foyer, searching through Sougo's presents and coat. He surprised him when he went back with all of them.

"Sadaharu, you've been doing this for a year, why'd you bring all that?"

The dog barked thrice before going beside Kagura. Sougo doesn't know what that meant.

He drew out a small box containing her pills. Considering the medicine is meant for humans, it has little effect on her but they were given no choice.

No words were spoken when he tended to her. Just the whisper of the wind outside and the muted movements he mastered over the year.

Long moments have passed before Kagura opened her eyes again. She smiled at him, a smile he holds on from crumbling down. A smile that's so genuine and so beautiful that he forgets to give up. A smile that hopefully would still be there beside him in the distant future, with their children, talking to their grandchildren, reminiscing all their fights, and sharing a laugh as they go along memory lane.

It's a dream Sougo is guilty of having.

He knows the unforgiving fact, and he accepts it gradually.

Must this be his punishment from killing all those people? Was his sister, the woman he loved so much more than anyone, not enough that the gods above have to take away his wife too?

"Sougo," He loves it when his name comes out of her lips. He leans in, struggling to hear what she was whispering. "Did you have a good time at the party?"

"... It was fun." He whispered back.

Kagura's smile widened. "Liar."

Sougo's hand found hers, holding it for dear life. "Idiot. Just rest."

"Open your presents," Kagura softly intertwined their fingers. "You should have many of them, yes? I want to see what they got for you."

It was nearing midnight when the stars have shown themselves, twinkling and never ceasing to stop, as though they struggle to live their best shine before finally exploding, turning into stardust. Hopefully.

That'd be a miracle, he ponders as Sadaharu licks Kagura's face. They'll either be a black hole or gone forever.

He didn't move. Instead, he watched her over the light from the stars. He didn't want to miss any second of her falling asleep. When she awakes, he'd always think of it as a miracle. "Sleep so that I can eat my cake in peace."

"Then smile for me."

When he just stared at her, she used her other hand to pull him towards her. He barely felt her strength anymore and damn, she's not supposed to be this weak but he closed the distance anyway, their foreheads lightly touching.

"I'm just going to the stars for a bit, yes? So, smile for me until I return."

Sougo rarely smiled without any sadistic intentions behind it.

But he did.

For her.

Because her glassy, darkening eyes expected him to. Because the small smile she managed to give is saying, telling him that hope is not gone, just a little lost if not delayed. Because her silky hair can't be contained in her signature hair ornaments anymore as it will worsen the hair fall. Because her weakened hand gripped him like he's her lifeline. Because her skin that's still too soft is now paler than the snow on its first day of fall. Because under the covers is her petite body resembling closely to that of a skeleton's.

And he smiled. Only for her. For this moment. For everyone. For him. For her.

Her.

Kagura.

Her eyes finally closed.

Sadaharu suddenly nudged him. When he got his attention, he pointed his snout over the presents. Sougo walked towards them, careful in making any sounds. He passed by the table, where the two letters that arrived earlier lie. That's when he remembered the other frustrating letter he didn't finish reading. After a moment's hesitation, he decided against the incoming headache and read the rest of the damned letter.

The dog deity grinned through his fur and lightly tapped his nose on Kagura's head. While Sougo abruptly got up and scrambled to his presents, Sadaharu opened their snacks, eating beside Kagura as he watches his other owner in his ordeal.

Altana.

A single object that has changed all their lives ever since Utsuro happened. And now, Kagura.

You Sadist Prince! Yo Earth Policeman! Don't ever waste our hard work and go save my cute little monster. We sent it to everybody so that Kagura can immediately use it wherever she is. Because Baldy is an idiot, he sent it before knowing her whereabouts, because Baldy is an idiot. No need to repeat that! We don't know everybody and I forgot to send some to you but I'm sure you'll be able to find some from her friends. My 7th division is great at hide-and-seek so better pay us back. Also, Baldy here is a great pet, do you want him to be a birthday gift? I'll kill you Kamui. I alone, the greatest space hunter, found more than half of those so pay me back twice. Baldy, my troop contributed half of it, it doesn't make sense if you say you got more than half of them. I got the other half so you contributed nothing at all. See, Sadist Prince, that kind of Altana messes up your mathematical skills, be careful or you'll end up like this uncute monster beside me. If you make my sister revert back to a crybaby, I'll kill you and I'll definitely find you wherever you are, Earth Policeman.

HAPI DEATH ah we made a good mistake HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Give birth to a strong child so I have someone else to fight with when you fight under the covers! Let me have a space hunt with them so I can show them what their grandpapi is worthy of! She always loved the stars and now we bring her very own shimmering splendid twinkles, how's that you brat? You're embarrassing me baldy, go away before she cries from your lack of hair roots. We're pretty sure all of you are well and healthy and are probably celebrating your birthday and her untimely recovery. Send us a letter after you receive this, AMAP. It's 'ASAP', old man. Make sure she recovers, we don't need any weaklings in this little brethren of rabbits.

Remind her that those who are gone will always be smiling to those who took care of them and truly loved them. They'll always smile from the thousand stars above.

And we won't let her be a star until I beat all of you up so tell her that her father doesn't have any hair even in that area. She'll get up in no second, I tell ya.

From the thousand planets, stars and spaceships above, Kamui and Kankou, the strongest Harusame captain and the greatest space hunter.

Sougo rarely smiled without any sadistic intentions behind it.

But he did.

For her.

For everyone.

And for himself.

Kagura won't be a star. Not until he's still alive and kicking and is being threatened by her family, anyways. And no, the new moon is not foreshadowing a fucking taboo scenario because now, it shines just as meticulous and beautiful as before. Still large as hell.

When he thinks about it, he's probably grinning like an idiot, just like 6 years ago in the Ikedaya hotel and that time 4 years past when he met her after two long years of their separation.

There is hope, a little delayed and was lost but now it's in his hands, a glorious present that came from their loved ones.

Let's end this oocness, shall we?

So freaking long wtf hahahaha

as always, please excuse my extremely ooc [ah, curses] portrayal of the characters

basically this is supposedly a one-shot of my post in tumblr, where the yato siblings inherited their mother's sickness and this story came out, soo any thoughts about this?

if you're interested, there's a much shorter and a tad different version in ao3

And I'm surprised and really flattered from the reviews, thank you! I hope you enjoyed them, even when you shed a tear

Did you think it was just a single chapter? Did I fool you? The sadistic side of me hopes so.

Take care of yourselves everyone! Hopefully we conquer this battle against covid-19 with memes, fanfics and your daily dose of internet.

Chunchunnie