Silver Moon – Book 2 Chapter 8

The next day…

The date was February 14th. Valentines Day had finally arrived.

Tsukuyo quietly smiled to herself as she walked around her living room. She was currently in the middle of preparing the room for the night ahead of her. After all, it would not be long before Gintoki would arrive and the two of them would get to spend the evening together.

As Tsukuyo walked around, she made sure that everything within the room was looking neat and orderly. She had remembered to set her gift for Gintoki off to the side for later. She had also remembered to place some food and drinks on the living room table for the two of them to enjoy together.

Once she was satisfied with her work, Tsukuyo took a moment to look out the window. Unfortunately, the sky was already dark and was completely covered by gray clouds. Rain was heavily pouring down on the city without relent. From time to time, the sky would be lit up with a small bolt of lighting. It looked like a bad storm was currently passing through.

Tsukuyo simply stayed silent as she watched the downpour. What awful weather she thought. I hope Gintoki will be all right on his way here. I'd hate for him to get badly caught up in this storm.

Tsukuyo then turned around to face the room again. Well, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. We're just going to stay inside the whole time anyway. Hinowa and Seita are gone, so it looks like Gintoki and I will have the whole place to ourselves…and it looks like I'll have Gintoki all to myself…

She then glanced at the nearby clock before giving a smile. It shouldn't be too much longer before he gets here. I hope he shows up soon before the storm gets any worse. You definitely don't want to be out in that weather for long.

Tsukuyo walked over to where Gintoki's gift was sitting before gently picking it up. It was the small box of chocolates that she had previously promised to give to him. She then stared at the box as she wondered about his gift for her.

I wonder what I'm supposed to be getting tonight. Gintoki promised that he would get me something good. Hmm…knowing him, it could be anything. I guess I'll just have to wait and see…

Tsukuyo quietly set the box back off to the side as she took a seat on the couch. She decided she was going to wait patiently for Gintoki's arrival.

As she sat there, she quietly smiled to herself. It's finally Valentine's Day, the most romantic day of the year. And I'm going to spend it with the man I love. This is perfect. I'm so excited; I hope we have a wonderful time tonight…

After waiting for a short while, the sound of knocking could be heard coming from the front door. As soon as she heard it, Tsukuyo immediately stood up and went to go answer it.

He's here she thought with a smile.

She quickly made her way to the front room before arriving at the door. She then opened it without a second thought.

As expected, Gintoki was the one waiting outside the door. He was holding a small umbrella over his head, doing his best to keep out of the rain. He silently stared at Tsukuyo with a blank expression on his face.

"Ah, Gintoki, you're here," said Tsukuyo, giving him a smile.

As Gintoki stared, he strangely hesitated before he answered. "…Hello Tsukuyo," he replied quietly.

"I'm glad you made it," said Tsukuyo as she stood off to the side. "Hurry up and come in. Let's get you out of this rain."

"Thanks," said Gintoki, slowly walking into the house. He calmly folded his umbrella before leaning it against the wall.

"I hope you didn't get caught up in the storm too badly. Were you able to make it here ok?" asked Tsukuyo as she closed the door behind her.

"Yeah, it was fine," he replied. He then slowly reached down for something that sat at his waist.

Tsukuyo's eyes widened once she saw what it was. She then gave Gintoki a look of curiosity. "What's up with that sword?" she asked.

Gintoki stared at her for a second before looking down at the black sword. "Zura gave it to me," he said bluntly.

"Are you holding on to it for him?" asked Tsukuyo, a little confused.

"Yeah, something like that…" said Gintoki, still staring at the weapon. Before long, he silently removed it from his waist before laying it next to his umbrella.

"Um…ok?" said Tsukuyo, still not sure what was going on. She simply shrugged and decided to move on. "Well, now that you're here, do you want to go ahead and move into the living room?"

Gintoki stared at Tsukuyo with his blank expression again. "Sure," he said briefly.

Tsukuyo was now looking back at Gintoki with a concerned expression. She had started to notice something off about him. It seemed like he was giving all of his answers in an emotionless tone.

"Hey, are you feeling alright?" she asked him with a serious expression.

"I feel fine," he replied flatly.

"Are you sure?"

"I've never been better…"

Tsukuyo gave him a frown as she continued looking at him. She could obviously tell that something was wrong. "Well…alright then. Let's just go ahead and move to the living room."

Gintoki simply remained silent as he started walking off. Tsukuyo continued to frown at him as she followed.

What's up with him? she wondered. He's acting kind of weird. He's being quiet and he almost seems like he doesn't even care about tonight. Is he in a bad mood or something?

Tsukuyo just gave a sigh as the two of them arrived in the living room. Maybe I can try and lighten him up a little.

"Please, have a seat," she told him, gesturing to the couch.

"Ok," he replied. He then sat down on the couch before silently staring at the floor.

Tsukuyo soon took a seat next to him and gave him a smile. She then gently grabbed his hand and held it with her own. "I'm happy that you're here tonight," she said softly.

In response, Gintoki simply stared up at her. His facial expression looked completely uninterested. At this point, his eyes were truly starting to resemble those of a dead fish.

Tsukuyo quietly stared back, starting to become even more concerned. Seriously, what's going on with him? Why is he acting this way? Doesn't he want to be here tonight? I mean, right now, he honestly looks like he couldn't care less about me…

Tsukuyo glanced over to the window for a moment as she watched the rain. Now that I think about it, he was acting kind of weird yesterday too. After we left the palace, he hardly said a word as he walked me home. He definitely wasn't acting like his usual self…but even then, that was different from now. Yesterday, he kind of seemed like he was deep in thought. Now, he just looks like he doesn't care at all.

Tsukuyo looked at Gintoki once more to see him staring at the floor again. Damn it, why won't he just cheer up already? I tried getting close to him, but he basically just brushed me away. Hmph, I guess I'll just have to use something that I know will get him in a good mood…something that works every time…

"Gintoki," Tsukuyo softly called to him. "I have something for you."

Once again, he silently stared up at her. He almost looked like he was hardly paying attention. He only seemed to notice Tsukuyo whenever she called out to him.

Tsukuyo simply ignored this as she reached over and grabbed the box of chocolates that sat beside her. If this doesn't cheer him up, I don't know what will.

Tsukuyo then held the box out for Gintoki to take. "Here," she said, giving a small smile. "I knew you wanted something like this. Happy Valentines Day."

Gintoki took the box without saying a word. He then stared at it with the same uninterested eyes. He didn't even show a single sign of happiness or thankfulness. He just continued to stare at the box with a small frown on his face.

Tsukuyo watched him for a minute, waiting for him to start getting excited. However, it never came. Even though he was holding one of his favorite treats, he was still acting kind of despondent. The current situation had not changed.

Tsukuyo finally decided to give the man a deadly glare. She was becoming very frustrated with him and she could hardly take another second of it.

"Alright Gintoki," she said, sounding angry. "What the hell is up with you tonight? You've hardly even spoken or looked at me! You're acting like you don't even want to be here right now!"

Gintoki silently looked up at her for a moment before looking back at his box of chocolates. He then set the box down on the table in front of him.

"Tsukuyo…there's something I need to tell you," he said quietly.

Tsukuyo simply sighed as she dropped her glare. She decided that she was going to be patient and listen to what he had to say. "You can tell me anything, Gintoki."

Gintoki continued to stare at the table in front of him. "It's not going to be easy to tell you this…but I really need to let you know."

Tsukuyo gave him a look of curiosity. "What is it?" she asked gently.

"Tsukuyo, I'm…I'm not sure if I really care about you anymore…"

Tsukuyo went completely silent upon hearing this. She was almost unsure if she had just heard him right. "W-what?" she managed to choke out.

"I'm not sure if I care about you anymore…" he repeated.

Tsukuyo gave him a look of complete confusion. She had no idea what he was trying to tell her. She was almost starting to wonder if he was joking or something.

After a few seconds of silence, Gintoki finally looked up at her, his face looking completely serious. "If I'm being honest, I don't really feel like our relationship is going anywhere…"

Tsukuyo was now starting to get worried. "What are you talking about?" she asked in an anxious tone.

Gintoki paused before he chose his next words. "I…I don't think our relationship really means anything…I mean, it's not like we were ever going to be anything more than a dating couple…we were basically just doing this for fun…"

Tsukuyo stared at Gintoki in disbelief. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. We weren't going anywhere? We were just dating for fun? Is that what he thinks about us?

Gintoki slowly turned away from her before looking out the window. "I think the only reason I even wanted to date you in the first place was so that I could get some sexual relief…and it was fun and all…but I've had my fill and I think I'm done now…"

As Tsukuyo listened, she could feel tears starting to form in her eyes. "I…I don't understand…" she said quietly.

Gintoki turned to look at her again. "Look, what I'm basically trying to say is that I'm tired of all of this," he said with a serious tone.

He then paused before giving a sigh. "Let's just end it already."

Tsukuyo simply froze as she listened. E-End it?

Her heart was beating fast. She could now feel the tears running freely down her cheeks. She was finally starting to realize what he was telling her. She didn't want to believe it, and she was scared to find out if she was right. Even so, she managed to choke the words out.

"G-Gintoki…are you…breaking up with me?"

Gintoki paused as he looked out the window once more. He watched the rain for a few seconds before finally giving a response.

"…Yes, I am…"

At that point, time seemed to stop. Tsukuyo could not move. She could only stare straight in front of her. She did not understand. She felt frightened. She could feel her tears starting to drip onto her lap. She couldn't help but keep asking herself the same question over and over again.

Why?

Why is Gintoki acting this way? Why is he saying these things? This isn't like him. None of this makes any sense.

"Gintoki?" she whispered quietly.

Gintoki suddenly stood up without looking at her. "Our relationship is officially over," he declared adamantly.

Tsukuyo simply sat there and listened to his words. She couldn't even look up at him. Her heart was starting to hurt. She was suffering.

Gintoki stood there for another moment before finally turning away. "I'll just be on my way then. See you around…"

And with that, Gintoki started making his way out of the room. His box of chocolates was still sitting on the table. He had not even bothered to pick them up. He didn't look back and he didn't say a word. He just kept on walking.

Tsukuyo eventually managed to look up and realize that the samurai was leaving. She silently stared at his back, the tears still rolling down her face.

No…don't go…

Her boyfriend was leaving.

Please come back…

The man she loved most was walking away.

Don't leave me…

He was saying goodbye for good…

Tsukuyo suddenly found herself standing up. She quickly followed the man into the front room. She couldn't bear to see him go. She was starting to get desperate.

Gintoki picked up his sword, and secured the weapon back on his waist.

"Gintoki, hold on!" she called after him. Tears were still coming out of her eyes.

He picked up his umbrella, and opened it.

Tsukuyo suddenly tripped and fell hard onto the floor. She quickly looked back up. "Gintoki! Don't do this!" she called again.

Gintoki approached the door before slowly opening it. The rain was still falling hard outside.

Tsukuyo desperately reached an arm out as she screamed to him.

"Gintoki, I love you!"

Gintoki unexpectedly paused as he stood in the doorway. He stared straight ahead, right out into the storm. He did not dare look back.

Tsukuyo paused before repeating it again. "I love you, Gintoki…"

He did not move. The rain kept on pouring.

Tsukuyo continued to sit on the floor as she desperately started revealing her true feelings for him.

"I love you…you're the only man I've ever loved…and I'm willing to love you forever…"

Gintoki continued standing in the doorway, completely silent.

"Please," she begged, tears still coming out. "Don't leave me."

Gintoki hesitated as he listened. He then slowly turned around to face her.

"Gintoki?" asked Tsukuyo, sounding hopeful.

Gintoki quietly stared at her with a frown. He then replied in the coldest tone possible.

"Get off the floor," he said, "you look pathetic."

Tsukuyo was completely speechless. She could feel her heart breaking on the inside. She could not stop the flow of tears. All of this was simply too much for her to handle.

Gintoki faced forward again. He was soon walking out the door.

"No, don't go!" Tsukuyo shouted after him. "Gintoki! GINTOKI!"

He silently shut the door behind him.

"GINTOOOKIIIIII!"

…

Well…that was the chapter…um…I'm not quite sure what to say…it was definitely sad, wasn't it? Was it hard to read?

Anyways, please forgive me. I'm guessing that you are all very confused when it comes to this chapter. You might even be angry or upset. I'm sorry, I understand. I did say it would be unexpected, didn't I?

Well, you're probably all wondering why this happened in the story. And I, as the author, unfortunately cannot tell you anything about it. Not yet, at least. Why not? If I tell you anything, it will ruin the story. It must be frustrating not knowing anything. I'm sorry.

I'm hoping that all of you will remain calm upon reading this chapter. But even if you don't, it's ok! I'm going to help you through it! That's right, I'll help you calm down a little! (I hope!)

If you have questions, please leave them in a review! I'll do my best to answer without giving anything away! You can also leave complaints, rants, and any angry thoughts in a review too! I'll do my best to help you out! I probably won't be able to explain much, but maybe my words will make you guys feel better…or maybe not. Either way, I'll do my best.

Please, I once again just ask that you trust me. I know what I'm doing ;) The story will get better from here on out. I promise.

That's all for now. Please leave a review and I'll respond. See you later!