Silver Moon – Book 4 Chapter 11

Gintoki took a moment to catch his breath after parting swords with Yagami. The assassin also began to pant as he wiped some of the blood away from his chest wound. Both fighters were losing energy quickly.

Taking a deep breath, Gintoki lifted his sword up once more and charged his opponent. Yagami was slightly caught off guard, and barely managed to deflect the blow at the last moment. Gintoki, however, quickly readied the next attack while Yagami was still recovering. The assassin desperately moved his own sword to match Gintoki's just in time. Unfortunately for him though, Gintoki struck the assassin's blade with so much force that the weapon was sent flying off to the side. Yagami just watched it with a shocked look.

Sh-shit, I'm defenseless! he realized as Gintoki drew his blade back with a glare. I guess I have no choice!

"Naraku!" Yagami suddenly shouted. "To me!"

Gintoki just ignored the cry as he swung his sword, aiming for the man's chest again. Just as he closed in, however, two spears crossed in between them and blocked the attack. Gintoki's eyes widened as he realized that two Naraku agents had appeared from nowhere to protect Yagami.

Gintoki didn't have long to question this though, for two more agents descended on him from above. Gintoki barely jumped back before their spears struck the roof below them. Gintoki gained some distance, and then reassessed the situation from there.

"I see that you are surprised," said Yagami with a grin as he retrieved his katana. Meanwhile, the four Naraku agents convened around him as if they were his bodyguards.

"Did you think that I had sent all of my men after that Shinsengumi officer?" Yagami continued. "Surely you know that we Naraku like to hide in the shadows. It's all a part of the element of surprise."

So he secretly kept a few men nearby, huh? Gintoki realized. No wonder he wasn't as focused on running away. He assumed that he had me cornered, so he chose to fight instead.

"Hmm, do you understand now?" asked Yagami. "I can see that you are quick to grasp new situations and adapt in the heat of battle. You are truly a fierce warrior. However, the fact remains that you are also a criminal, one bound for death. Before I make my escape, I will be sure to kill you."

Gintoki just clenched his teeth. Even though he had just overpowered Yagami a moment ago, he was now joined by four more opponents. Would he be able to handle such a thing?

"GINTOKI!"

All men paused as the samurai's name rang out across the rooftops. From his position, Gintoki managed to glance down into the streets below, and his mouth fell open when he saw who had called his name.

There stood Tsukuyo, looking out of breath and deeply concerned. She stared up at him and the men across from him, trying to take everything in.

"G-Gintoki, what is this?" she called. "What's going on? Are you okay?"

Gintoki didn't respond to her. Quite frankly, he couldn't, but he was also too shocked to see her standing there. Why is she here? he wondered. I knew that she'd be in the area at this time, but why did she have to come looking for me!?

Meanwhile, Yagami instantly recognized Tsukuyo, and also realized that a golden opportunity presented itself. Wasting no time, Yagami quickly drew a kunai from his person and hurled it at the courtesan below.

Tsukuyo noticed the incoming danger at the last second and instinctively dodged. "What the hell?" she wondered. "Who are those guys!? Why are they attacking us!?"

Gintoki knew he couldn't possibly answer any of those questions in this situation, so he decided to do what he thought best. Using his free hand, he cradled his throat just as he did earlier, and managed to produce a word.

"Run!" he yelled.

Tsukuyo looked surprised to hear him speak. Still, she quickly processed what he had just shouted. "Run? I need to run?"

Gintoki furiously nodded as Yagami clenched his teeth. This woman apparently had some skill, but there was no way that he could let this opportunity slip away.

"Naraku, kill that woman!" Yagami cried as he pointed at Tsukuyo. "She is a criminal, the same as the Shiroyasha! End her life!"

Nodding in unison, the four agents took up their spears and sprung into action. Tsukuyo was still confused, but immediately started putting the pieces together. Realizing that she was in serious danger, she followed Gintoki's command and began to flee down the street.

Damn it! she cursed as she rounded a corner, losing sight of Gintoki. What the hell is going on!? I remember these guys from that time we stormed Edo Castle, but why are they after me and Gintoki? Hmph, I wish I could fight back, but I don't want to take the risk of the baby being harmed…

Clenching her teeth, Tsukuyo resolved herself to continue running. She honestly didn't like it, but what other choice did she have?

Naturally, the four Naraku were right on her tail. Tsukuyo rounded another corner, and kept sprinting to the best of her ability. She was trying to get back to the hospital, where she knew she could find help.

Almost there! she thought.

Suddenly, Tsukuyo caught sight of an incoming attack from behind. She barely managed to dodge to the side as one of the Naraku's spears came flying towards her. However, that didn't mean that she was out of the clear. Adjusting to her new position, the agent simply swung his spear to the side and whacked Tsukuyo's arm with it. She winced as she was knocked to the ground.

Tsukuyo quickly tried to recover, but it was too late. She could already see two of the Naraku closing in on her from above. Desperately, she thrust both of her arms out in an attempt to protect herself.

However, the incoming attack never reached her. Instead, two swords shot out and blocked the enemies' spears with a clang. Apparently, somebody had just blocked the attack. Tsukuyo glanced back and forth to surprisingly find two members of the Shinsengumi there: Hijikata and Sogo.

"What a bother," said Sogo with a blank face.

"What's up with these guys?" asked Hijikata as he simply deflected the spear.

"Sh-Shinsengumi!" Tsukuyo stuttered. "What are you…?"

"Hey now, take it easy, Boss Lady," said Sogo, taking his sword in both hands.

"We're just protecting innocent civilians," said Hijikata, doing the same.

Suddenly, both men leapt forward and instantly sliced the Naraku's chests wide open. Blood flew everywhere as their limp bodies collapsed to the ground.

Tsukuyo watched them with a slight look of awe as she rose to her feet. Did these guys really just come to my rescue? Perhaps they're not as useless as I thought…

Just then, Tsukuyo saw movement from behind and quickly whipped around. "Hey look out! There's two more!"

Hijikata and Sogo quickly readied their blades, but there was no need. As the Naraku agents darted towards Tsukuyo's backside, two new shadows leapt at them from behind. Tsukuyo's eyes widened when she realized that it was actually Shinpachi and Kagura. They immediately nailed their enemies with sword and umbrella respectively, crushing them.

"That was close!" said Kagura as she wiped some sweat off her forehead. "Tsukky! Why'd you run off like that!?"

"Yeah! You were supposed to stay in sight, remember?" Shinpachi reminded her.

"I'm sorry," Tsukuyo quickly apologized. "I realize that I probably shouldn't have done that, but that's not important! Listen, I found Gintoki!"

"What?"

"You did?"

"He's currently fighting, and he needs our help!" Tsukuyo explained. "We need to hurry and-"

"Hold that thought," said Hijikata quietly from behind. "I'm afraid we're not going anywhere anytime soon."

"These guys sure are persistent," Sogo noted.

Tsukuyo and the others simply looked up to find a new wave of Naraku agents surrounding them from the rooftops. In response, Shinpachi and Kagura took up defensive positions in front of Tsukuyo.

"Tsukuyo-san, don't move!" Shinpachi ordered her.

"We'll protect you!" Kagura assured her.

"Hey, isn't it our job to do the protecting?" asked Sogo as he casually slaughtered a Naraku agent that jumped at him.

"Let them do what they want," said Hijikata, also striking an agent down. "Just focus on your job, and protect this innocent woman."

Tsukuyo stared at them all with a look of complete gratitude. She couldn't believe that they would all go so far to protect her during her time of need.

"Come on, Kagura-chan!" said Shinpachi, running forward to take on a foe.

"Right!" she agreed, joining in the chaos.

Meanwhile, Gintoki and Yagami, finding themselves alone once more, continued their battle. Now knowing for sure that Tsukuyo was actually in direct danger made him fight even more fiercely than before. Suddenly, Yagami found himself being forced back with each blow.

What's the matter? Gintoki thought. No more men to call to your side? No poison to slow me down? Face it, you're out of tricks!

Feeling more determined, Gintoki spun around in order to put more force into his next blow. Yagami saw the move coming, and quickly positioned his sword vertically. Gintoki's eyes shone with fire as he threw everything he had into a horizontal swing.

The swords met instantly, and with a loud clang, Yagami's katana shattered to pieces as Gintoki's flew straight through it.

Yagami immediately froze when he saw this happen. His weapon had just been destroyed. Gintoki, on the other hand, wasted no time in raising his sword up above him. He then gave one final glare at Yagami before bringing it down diagonally.

"GAH!" Yagami exclaimed as a large gash appeared across his chest, perfectly crisscrossing his previous wound. A large amount of blood splattered out of the assassin as he crumbled to his knees.

Gintoki, breathing heavily, slowly lowered his arms as he stared at the man. He was feeling really tired right now, but he had done it. He had won.

Suddenly, the samurai started coughing violently. He went to cradle his throat with his free hand once more, and suddenly felt his throat feeling much better.

"It's over," he said quietly.

Yagami didn't respond, instead glancing at the hilt of his broken blade. "My katana," he whispered, "shattered to pieces…"

Gintoki just frowned as he lifted his own sword up. "It was this," he said in a low voice. "This is a sword…that protects…"

"I see," said Yagami, dropping the hilt to the rooftop below him. "Apparently, your will to win…was stronger than my will to kill you…"

Gintoki continued to frown as he held his throat. "I did it…to protect…my family…"

Gintoki then paused before pointing his blade right in the assassin's face. He gave him a glare. "Listen up, Yagami…Don't you ever hurt me or my family again…If you do, I will kill you…"

Yagami just half-heartedly stared up at the samurai as he felt the blood continue to pour out of his wounds. He then glanced back and forth. This…isn't good. I'm losing a lot of blood, and I'm unable to continue fighting. I am also unable to call for more help…It would seem that my mission has been compromised…but I can't let it end here. Escape is my only option now…but getting away from the Shiroyasha won't be easy…He's proven that several times already…

Hmm…In order to escape, I might need to make a sacrifice…

"Hey," Gintoki suddenly called his attention. "Are you listening, bastard?"

"Sorry, I can't let it end here," Yagami whispered in response.

"Huh?" asked Gintoki.

Suddenly, Yagami jumped to his feet, and tried to dart around Gintoki. The samurai seemed shocked, but instantly went to make a move.

"Stop!" Gintoki yelled. He swung his sword vertically at the man. Yagami simply winced as he held his left arm up and let it take the full force of the swing. Gintoki quickly severed it, and the arm immediately fell to the ground.

"Shit, that hurt," Yagami cursed as he continued to pick up speed.

"Wait, st-"

Gintoki suddenly choked as the pain in his throat flared up again. Perhaps he had been using it too much within the last few minutes. Gintoki just shook his head as he started chasing after the man.

That bastard! he cursed. He was willing to risk losing an arm if it allowed him to escape!? This guy is insane! I can't let him get away!

But Gintoki could already tell that he was now fighting a losing battle. Yagami, probably due to an adrenaline rush, was now darting from rooftop to rooftop. Meanwhile, it seemed that Gintoki's own injuries had cost him a slow start, and it looked like he had no chance of catching up to him at all. Eventually, Gintoki stumbled, and fell to his knees. Taking a few deep breaths, he looked up just in time to see Yagami dive down into the streets below. He was now out of sight.

I must keep going Gintoki thought as he forced himself to his feet. That bastard is losing blood fast! He won't get far before he collapses! I need to keep going!

Yagami stumbled a bit when he landed in a dark alley. His vision blurred a little, but he managed to continue running.

I know a place nearby! he thought. If I can just reach it, I'll have a chance to rest and recover without being discovered! I just need to get there!

Feeling determined, Yagami used the last of his strength to fly through the streets.

Almost there! he thought as he turned a corner.

"Going somewhere?" somebody suddenly and quietly whispered in Yagami's ear.

The assassin immediately felt a chill run down his spine as his rush of adrenaline gave out. He immediately whipped around to see who was behind him. "Shiroyasha!?" he cried.

To his surprise, there was no one there. All of a sudden, Yagami felt a chill run down his spine once more.

"No, I am not he," the stranger whispered coldly. "I am someone far more dangerous."

Just as Yagami whipped around again, the stranger took up their blade and sliced Yagami's back wide open. Blood flew all over the dark alleyway.

Yagami felt his breath start to escape him as he fell to the ground. Nevertheless, he still managed to recognize his attacker. "It's you!" he said, coughing up blood. "You're one of my targets!"

The attacker merely grinned as he slowly sheathed his sword.

"You're the leader of the Kiheitai!" Yagami cried. "Takasugi Shinsuke!"

Takasugi simply continued to grin. "And you are Yagami, an elite Naraku assassin tasked with killing old war rebels."

Yagami soon started coughing up more blood. His wounds were very serious. "How…how did you know that?"

"My men caught word that the Naraku were up to something involving assassinations," Takasugi explained. "Knowing full well that you would come for my head someday, I decided to get the jump on you and take you down before you even had a chance to kill me."

Yagami seemed confused. "But my mission…even my existence was top secret…How did you…?"

Takasugi's grin turned wild. "Trust me, I have men hidden even within the Naraku and the government. I really am a dangerous guy, aren't I?"

Yagami just shuddered as he closed his eyes. His breathing was starting to slow down.

Meanwhile, Takasugi simply glanced over his body. "Those are some serious wounds," he noted. "Did Gintoki do that to you?"

Yagami didn't respond.

"Hmph, you underestimated him," Takasugi smirked. He then pulled out some rope and began tying it tightly around Yagami's body. "Listen, I know that you're probably in a hurry to die with those injuries, but I won't let that happen just yet. There's a lot of questions I want to ask you before we send you off to hell."

By this point Gintoki was practically forcing himself to keep jumping from rooftop to rooftop, hoping to spot Yagami somewhere in the streets below. The injuries he had gained from this fight were already starting to catch up to him, and he didn't know how much longer he could go on.

But I have to! Gintoki thought. If that guy gets away, Tsukuyo and our child will always be in danger of being killed! I can't let that happen!

As Gintoki hopped onto another rooftop, he suddenly paused. Off in the distance, he saw somebody jump up from the streets onto one of the roofs. This person had another person bound in rope slung over their shoulder.

Gintoki quickly recognized the bound man. It was Yagami, now unconscious and bleeding terribly. Upon taking a closer look, Gintoki also recognized the man carrying Yagami. The samurai's eyes widened in shock.

Suddenly, Takasugi glanced over in Gintoki's direction. The two men stared at each other in silence, while the wind blew hard against them, making their clothes flap.

"T-Takasugi?" was all Gintoki could stutter with his injured throat.

In response, Takasugi simply flashed the man a devious grin before turning away. He soon dashed from rooftop to rooftop, and quickly disappeared from sight.

After a moment of silence, Gintoki took a deep breath and felt his body relax. For some reason, he had just felt himself tense up at the sight of his old rival.

I wonder what Takasugi was doing here Gintoki thought with a frown. And he was carrying Yagami with him…This doesn't bode well, but still…

For the first time that day, Gintoki felt like he could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Perhaps this could work out. If Takasugi takes that guy captive, then Tsukuyo and I shouldn't have to worry too much about the government finding out about our whereabouts or our identities. I'd hate to have this "criminal" past follow me around for the rest of my life…Especially if all it's going to do is put my family at risk…

Gintoki then smiled as he sighed again. It's over he thought. This battle is finally over…

Gintoki suddenly froze, and probably would have dropped his sword if it wasn't strapped to his hand. W-wait a second! Tsukuyo! Is she okay!?

Wasting no time, Gintoki immediately turned around and started heading back the way he came. The last time I saw her, she was being chased by those Naraku agents. But did she get away?

When Gintoki eventually arrived at the slaughter scene, he was rather surprised at what he saw. Several dozen bloody Naraku corpses were lying in the street. Both Hijikata and Sogo stood above the bodies, breathing hard with even more blood dripping from their blades.

"Say, Hijikata," Sogo panted. "doesn't this seem a bit excessive for just 'protecting civilians'?"

"Don't ask me," Hijikata retorted. "You're the sadist here."

"Was that the last of them?" asked Kagura as she casually kicked one of the unconscious agents off into a nearby wall.

"There doesn't seem to be anymore," Shinpachi noted. "Are you all right, Tsukuyo-san?"

"Yes, thanks to you all," said Tsukuyo gratefully. The four people surrounding her had actually managed to successfully protect her from all of those killers and she hadn't even suffered a single injury. She was rather impressed, to say the least.

Watching this from above, Gintoki breathed one last sigh of relief. She's safe…

The samurai then decided to make his presence known, and jumped down to the street below. As everyone's eyes fell on him, he gave a casual wave with his broken wrist.

"Gintoki!" Tsukuyo was the first to exclaim. Wasting no time, she quickly ran up to him. "Y-you're okay!? What happened to that guy you were fighting? Are you all right? Look at these injuries! And why did you strap that sword to your hand!?"

Gintoki just gave her a gentle smile, as if to say "calm down".

Tsukuyo just shook her head as she reached for one of her kunai. "Let me get your hand free of that sword…"

With minimal effort, Tsukuyo managed to cut the bandages and remove the sword from Gintoki's palm. She then set the blade aside before pulling Gintoki into a tight embrace.

"You idiot!" she yelled at him. "I was worried sick back there! What the hell was this all about!?"

Gintoki just ignored her comment as he pulled her closer and strained his throat.

"I love you," he whispered.

Upon hearing his voice, Tsukuyo's eyes started to well up with tears. She soon chose to bury her face in his chest.

"I love you too," she whispered, "but you have a lot of explaining to do."

And there you have it. The battle is concluded. Towards the end, I felt like I turned Yagami into a bit of a coward, but maybe he was just that way all along. I never really fleshed out his character beyond "evil asshole" anyway XD

I tried to think of a creative way for Sogo to refer to Tsukuyo. I ended up with Boss Lady, or the Boss's lady, technically. I think that seems like a fitting nickname for Sogo to call her, and something tells me that Tsukuyo might like it too.

I wonder if I made Gintoki talk too much towards the end…His throat was supposed to be crushed, after all, leaving him with no voice at all…Whatever, no regrets! XD

Well, that's about it for now. The next chapter will be the last chapter of Book 4. I'll discuss what comes after that next chapter. For now, please feel free to leave a review and please look forward to the Book 4 finale! Also, go ahead and vote in my poll if you haven't already! You're running out of time! XD See you next time!