Silver Moon – Book 5 Chapter 2

After a relatively short drive, Zenzo succeeded in getting the couple to the hospital without any trouble. At his customer's command, he pulled the taxi right up outside the entrance.

"Great, we're here!" said Gintoki, eager to keep moving. He opened his door and hopped out before extending a hand to his wife. "Come on, Tsukuyo. Let's get you inside."

"Right," said Tsukuyo, nodding and taking his hand. He helped get her to her feet, and then they started heading for the entrance.

Suddenly, Zenzo rolled down his window and called out to them. "Hey wait! You guys need to pay!"

Gintoki stopped and turned around. "Oh, right." He started rummaging through the bag in his hands before eventually grabbing something and placing it in Zenzo's hands. "There you go."

Zenzo just stared at the item he had received as payment. "What is this?"

"It's Jump," Gintoki told him. "The latest issue."

"I need money as payment," said Zenzo, trying to clarify something that should have been obvious.

"You're a Jump fan, right?" asked Gintoki, obviously not concerned. "Just read that. It should be payment enough."

Zenzo just stared at the magazine. "Why does it have a huge hole in the cover?"

"You're welcome," said Gintoki, quickly turning around and rushing off to catch up to Tsukuyo. "Thanks again, Hemorrhoids-san!"

Zenzo just watched him leave. He seems to be a little stressed with what he's going through…

The ninja then turned to staring at his new copy of Jump, and decided to open it. I guess I'll let it slide for today…

Inside the hospital, Gintoki ran up to the first desk he could find, seeking assistance. Tsukuyo followed behind him at her own pace.

"Hi," said Gintoki in between breaths. "My wife is going into labor. No, wait, she is in labor! Can you help us? The kid could come out any second now!"

"That's not true, Gintoki," Tsukuyo corrected him. "It's going to be a while before I actually deliver, you know…"

"We're not going to get any help if you don't treat this like an emergency!" Gintoki shouted at her. He then turned back to the desk-worker. "So how about it!? Can you get us a room or something!?"

The lady just gave him a blank stare before slowly shaking her head. She then handed him a clipboard. "Fill this out," she instructed him. "We'll get your wife admitted as soon as possible."

"Ah, the man's job," said Gintoki, taking the clipboard like his life depended on it. "Don't worry, Tsukuyo! It's nothing I can't handle!"

"I'm not worried," Tsukuyo assured him. "And there's really no rush, you do know that right?"

Gintoki couldn't hear her. He was currently flying through the required paperwork as fast as his pen could write. Tsukuyo just sighed as she watched him, but felt content in knowing that he was only freaking out for her sake.

It was only moments before Gintoki finished the paperwork and nearly shoved it back in the lady's face. "Here! I'm done!"

The lady just took it with a frown and casually looked it over. "Let's see…Sakata Gintoki? Oh no…I remember you. You're the one that caused a lot of trouble the last time you were admitted here. And the time before that, too."

"Is this any time to be holding a grudge against me!?" Gintoki complained with his hands out in front of him. "I did your stupid paperwork! Now help out my wife!"

The desk-worker just scowled at him before calmly paging for someone. "Can you come collect a patient and take her to the maternity ward?"

The person agreed, and it wasn't long before a nurse approached the couple with a wheelchair. "Please take a seat, mam."

Tsukuyo did as she was told before the nurse started pushing her away.

"Thanks lady!" Gintoki shouted to the desk as he followed behind them.

The desk-worker just shook her head one more time as she watched them leave. "Men…Complete idiots…."

The nurse wheeled Tsukuyo into one of their many delivery rooms and started giving her instructions on what preparations she should make. Tsukuyo listened very carefully until she was done. The courtesan then turned to Gintoki.

"Gintoki, why don't you go ahead and call everybody and tell them what's going on?"

Gintoki just stared at her like she was crazy. "You want me to leave you!?"

"I think I'll be fine if you're gone for a few minutes," said Tsukuyo with a sweat drop on her forehead.

"But…but what if I miss the birth?"

"Just how fast do you think I'm going to push this kid out?"

"I don't know," said Gintoki, sounding uncertain. "You're pretty strong…"

"Just go make phone calls!" Tsukuyo shouted, pointing at the door.

"Y-Yes, honey," said Gintoki, feeling defeated. He then did as he was told and walked out into the hallway. Once he was outside, he took a deep breath and reevaluated his current situation. He had managed to get Tsukuyo to the hospital safely, and even get her into a room without any trouble. He had played his part, and now he just had to leave things to the doctor for the most part. Feeling somewhat relieved, Gintoki started to let himself finally calm down from his extreme anxiety.

Gintoki eventually found a phone and began dialing numbers. He started with the Yorozuya office.

"Hello?" Kagura answered the phone.

"Hey, Kagura, it's me," said Gintoki. "Is Shinpachi there?"

"Yeah, he's here."

"Great. Grab him and start heading for the hospital. Let Gran and the others know too."

"The hospital?" repeated Kagura. "What's the matter? Did you split your head open doing something stupid?"

"Don't be ridiculous!" Gintoki yelled into the phone. "Tsukuyo's in labor!"

Kagura paused. "What? Really?"

"Of course. She's going to give birth before too long."

This time, Kagura shouted into the phone. "Why didn't you tell me it was something that important!?" the girl demanded. "We're on our way!"

In the background, Gintoki could hear Shinpachi walking into the room. "Hey, Kagura-chan, what are you yelling-"

"Shut up, glasses! We need to go to the hospital! Tsukky's having her baby!"

"Oh, how exciting…I guess that means our vacation is over now."

"Yeah, Gin-chan will come back to work after this."

Gintoki stared at the phone, wondering if he was hearing things. "Hey, what vacation!?"

The other line went silent for a moment. "Oops, I forgot to hang up," said Kagura bluntly.

"Was that Gin-san?" asked Shinpachi. "Do you think he heard us?"

"Of course I did!" Gintoki shouted back. "What's this vacation!? Don't tell me you guys have just been goofing off ever since you insisted on me staying at home!"

The line went silent once more, before Shinpachi hurriedly started shouting. "Hang up, hang up!"

The line then went dead. Kagura had hung up. Gintoki just shook his head. Lazy bastards he thought. He then smiled a bit, realizing that they had actually managed to help take his mind off of things for a moment there. Feeling a little bit better, he continued dialing numbers.

"Can you come to the hospital? Tsukuyo's in labor."

"She is!?" exclaimed Hinowa. "Of course, tell Tsukuyo that Seita and I are on our way! By the way, Gin-san, I've been thinking of some really great names for the baby-"

Click. Gintoki hung up the phone.

"Huh? She's in labor?" repeated Hasegawa. "Sure, I should be able to make it. You know, Gin-san, my own kid was just born last month, and I have to say that being a father is a truly amazing exp-"

Click. Gintoki hung up the phone.

"Listen, Zura, don't go to the hospital today."

"It's not Zura, it's Katsura," came the reply. "And what do you mean don't go to the hospital?"

"Stay away from here!" Gintoki shouted. "The last person I want around my newborn kid is a wanted criminal."

"Newborn kid!? Don't tell me…Is Tsukuyo giving birth!?"

"No!" Gintoki shouted back. "Just stay away!"

"But if your kid is being born today, then I want to be there-"

Slam! Gintoki hung up the phone.

When Gintoki got back to Tsukuyo's room, she had already changed into a hospital gown and was lying on the bed. Apparently, her nurse was just finishing up running some tests on her.

"Everything is looking great, Mrs. Sakata," said the nurse. "I'll be back to check on you in a little bit."

"Thanks," Tsukuyo replied.

As the nurse left, Gintoki made his way to his wife's side. "How's it going?"

"So far, so good," she said with a smile.

"How's the pain?" asked Gintoki, reaching out and grabbing her hand. "Does it hurt?"

"No, it's not that bad," Tsukuyo assured him. She then paused as she winced, and tightly clenched his hand. "Ow…"

Gintoki just stared at her as she obviously experienced a contraction. "It looks like it hurts…"

"It's not that bad!" Tsukuyo insisted, putting on a brave face and letting go of his hand. "I'm fine, see?"

Gintoki just shook his head before sitting down in the chair next to her bed. "Just don't push yourself too hard, all right?"

"I won't," Tsukuyo promised. "And also, Gintoki…"

"Yeah?"

She gave him a sincere smile. "Thanks for being there for me."

He smiled back. "Of course. I won't let you go through this alone."

After eight hours of exhausting labor, Tsukuyo found herself in the final stages of delivery. By this point, her breathing had become somewhat ragged, and she was clearly tired. Nevertheless, she still seemed full of drive and determination. At least, that's what Gintoki thought as he watched her from the side.

"AH!" Tsukuyo screamed as she felt yet another contraction. As per instinct, she clenched Gintoki's hand within her grasp, nearly crushing the poor thing.

Gintoki just let her do as she pleased, not really sure what else he could do to help her. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine," she huffed. "It…doesn't hurt…"

"You seem like you're in agony…"

"It doesn't hurt!"

Tell that to my crushed hand Gintoki thought. He didn't dare complain about his hand out loud though. He knew that his pain was probably nothing compared to what she was enduring right now. Nevertheless, she was still trying to insist that it didn't hurt at all. She was certainly tough, he had to give her that.

Eventually, after what seemed like an eternity of endless contractions, the doctor finally instructed Tsukuyo to start pushing. Thankfully, it was only a short amount of time before Tsukuyo gave one final push, and put an end to the entire experience.

As Tsukuyo finished pushing, the whole room went quiet. Probably quieter than any silence Gintoki had ever heard in his life. Then, he heard it. Tsukuyo did too. The very first cries of their newborn baby.

That sound, that single sound filled both parents up with a really strange feeling of happiness. A new life had just entered the world. A new life that they had created.

Gintoki could barely believe what he was hearing. In his excitement, he turned to Tsukuyo, who was still recovering by taking several deep breaths. "You…you did it!" he told her.

"No," said Tsukuyo, shaking her head a little. "We did it…"

She then gave him a small smile, and he returned it. They then turned their attention back to the source of those new cries.

"Congratulations," said the doctor, holding the newborn in his arms. "You have a girl."

Gintoki's mind was currently racing. A girl? A girl? We have a girl? Holy shit, we have a girl!

Gintoki turned to Tsukuyo, who smiled back at him, clearly showing that she was excited about the news too. Meanwhile, the doctor handed the crying baby to the nurses, who promptly cleaned her up and wrapped her in a light blanket.

"Can I see her?" asked Tsukuyo hesitantly.

"Of course," said the nurse with a smile. Wasting no time, she delivered the baby into Tsukuyo's arms.

Tsukuyo looked down at her baby for the first time ever, and her eyes sparkled at what she saw. "Oh my gosh…" she whispered. "She's…so beautiful."

Gintoki leaned in closer to get his first look as well, and he couldn't help but agree. "Our daughter," he whispered. "This is crazy…"

The baby continued to cry as her parents admired her. They didn't mind at all; it sounded like angels were singing as far as they were aware.

"She's perfect," said Gintoki, grinning.

"Yeah," Tsukuyo agreed softly.

They then continued to stare at their daughter in adoration, welcoming her into the world with nothing but their feelings of love.

After allowing the couple to spend some time with their baby, the nurses took her away for a little bit to run some tests and make sure that she was completely healthy. While this happened, Gintoki took the liberty of walking out into the hall and sharing the good news with everyone else.

He walked into a nearby waiting room where he found Shinpachi, Kagura, Hinowa, Seita, Otose, Catherine, Tama, Otae, Kyuubei, Hasegawa, and of course, Katsura. Wearing a big grin, he announced his presence.

"Hey everyone! I'm officially a father!"

"Nobody cares!" Kagura yelled back immediately. "Just tell us what it is already!"

Gintoki frowned a bit at that remark, but he was too happy to let it keep him down. "It's a girl," he happily told the room.

"I knew it!" Kagura shouted.

"Oh wow, that's wonderful Gin-san," Shinpachi congratulated him.

"Oh, a daughter is just perfect for Tsukuyo," said Hinowa, clasping her hands together.

"I'll teach her everything I know!" said Seita proudly.

"We'll have plenty to teach her too," said Otae.

"I'm sure she'll turn into a fine warrior," said Kyuubei confidently

"I'm very happy for you, Gintoki," said Otose with a smile.

"Hmph, since it's a girl, she may turn out smarter than her dad," said Catherine with a smirk.

"It's a girl. I'll add this to my data," Tama happily announced.

"A girl! That's great!" shouted Hasegawa.

"Congrats, Gintoki," said Katsura, returning his grin.

In that moment, Gintoki was happy to hear their positive reactions. It felt great knowing that they all shared in his strange happiness that he was feeling over a new life. He honestly didn't even mind that Katsura had shown up despite his initial opposition.

"Thanks everybody," said Gintoki, closing his eyes and smiling.

"So when do we get to meet her?" asked Otose, excited.

"I want to hold her!" shouted Kagura.

"The nurses are running some tests right now, but I'm sure you'll get to see her soon enough," Gintoki assured them. "I'll let you know. I'd better get back to Tsukuyo for now."

"Oh, do you mind if I go with you?" asked Hinowa. "I'd like to check on her too, and personally congratulate her."

Gintoki just smiled at her. "Come on," he said.

She smiled in return, and started wheeling herself out into the hall. It was only a short matter of time before they reached the room where Tsukuyo was waiting.

Gintoki knocked on the door frame. "Ready for a visitor?" he asked.

Tsukuyo's face lit up when she saw who it was. "Hinowa! You're here!"

"Of course I am!" said Hinowa, wheeling over to Tsukuyo's side. "How are you feeling?"

"Good, but tired," said Tsukuyo. "Did you hear? We had a little girl."

"I did," said Hinowa excitedly. "I'm very happy for you."

"Thanks," said Tsukuyo, smiling.

"So tell me, what's she look like?"

"She's a little angel," said Tsukuyo proudly. "Just wait, though. You'll see her soon enough."

Hinowa then pulled Tsukuyo into a hug. "Aw, Tsukuyo, I really couldn't be happier for you!"

"You're a good friend, Hinowa," said Tsukuyo, returning the hug.

Gintoki just watched this from a distance before crossing his arms and approaching them. "You two really are close, aren't you?"

"Of course," said Hinowa. "I think of Tsukuyo as family."

"Right," said Gintoki nodding. "Say, Hinowa, want to be our daughter's godmother?"

Hinowa froze at this. "Huh? What?"

"You heard me," said Gintoki.

"You…you want me? Really?" She turned to Tsukuyo, looking for some kind of confirmation.

Tsukuyo just smiled. "Of course," she told her. "Who else would it be?"

Hinowa started welling up with a few tears of happiness. "I…I would love to!"

Gintoki and Tsukuyo grinned. "Glad to hear it."

A short while later, Gintoki had his daughter back in his arms, and he was once again taking the time to admire her. He was honestly really surprised with himself. He never would have thought that such a tiny life he had never met before today could make him feel so happy.

By this point, the girl had long since stopped crying, and was now just resting contently in his arms, looking around the room at her leisure. Tsukuyo smiled as she watched them.

"She has your eyes, you know," Gintoki told her.

"Really?" asked Tsukuyo, sounding a little pleased.

"Yeah, they're really pretty." He turned to look at his wife. "Want to see?"

Tsukuyo nodded, and accepted her daughter back into her arms. She then looked to see what was almost a complete reflection of her own violet eyes. Mother's and daughter's matched perfectly. Tsukuyo could only smile at this, happily realizing that she had actually passed a part of herself down to her child. It was truly beautiful.

"So," said Gintoki, calling her attention, "before we let everyone else meet her, we still need to give her a name, you know."

"That's right," said Tsukuyo, turning back to her baby. She stared at her for a while, trying to think of what might be a nice fit. In the end, she just became fixated on the child's eyes again.

"Um," said Tsukuyo hesitantly, "how about Violet?"

"Violet?" repeated Gintoki.

Tsukuyo stared at him. "Yeah, you know…Because of the color of her eyes…"

Gintoki scratched his head. "Doesn't that seem a bit…uncreative?"

Tsukuyo just frowned at him. "Hey, are you the one that just pushed a child out of your crotch?"

Gintoki could tell she was a little offended, so he quickly tried to defend himself. "No, no, it's just that…well, I kind of thought of another one…"

Tsukuyo stared at him skeptically, trying to read his thoughts. "I'm not naming our daughter 'Ketsuno Ana'."

Gintoki shook his head. "Of course not."

Tsukuyo stared at him some more. "I'm not naming her after any Shonen Jump protagonists either."

Gintoki shook his head once again. "Don't be ridiculous."

Tsukuyo continued to stare at him skeptically, but was curious as to what he had in mind. "Fine, what do you want to name her?"

Gintoki suddenly seemed a little nervous. "Well, I kind of liked…Kyoko."

Tsukuyo seemed surprised. "Kyoko?"

Gintoki nodded sheepishly. "Yeah…it has a nice ring, don't you think?"

Tsukuyo slowly looked away. "Kyoko…Kyoko…"

She then smiled down at her daughter. "Sakata Kyoko. It does have a nice ring."

"Really?" asked Gintoki. "You like it?"

"Yeah, that's a cute name," said Tsukuyo approvingly.

"Well, our daughter is kind of a cutie, so I just figured…"

"Let's go with it," she decided.

"All right," said Gintoki, smiling. "I guess that's settled then."

"Agreed." Tsukuyo then looked down at her daughter just as she started to dose off. "Heh heh, welcome to the world, little Kyoko…"

That's right, it's a girl. I hope everyone approves! Based on that poll I created, I should think that most of you do. The final vote was 9 for girl and 2 for boy, so clearly you guys were excited over Gintoki and Tsukuyo having a daughter. No worries though, as this is what I had decided on quite some time ago. I think that a daughter is perfect for them, don't you? :)

When it came to names, I was originally going to name her the very uncreative name that I came up with myself, Violet. And yeah, I chose that name purely based on her eyes XD Thankfully, someone offered up a couple of name suggestions for me to think about, and one of them was Kyoko. As soon as I heard it, I had a good feeling that it would be a good choice. After thinking about it a bit, I decided to go with it. It's a Japanese name that apparently means "girls of today", so it seems like a nice fit. Once again, I hope you like it! :)

I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. I guess I was as excited to introduce the new character as you guys were to meet her. By the way, I decided to make Hinowa her godmother as a last second decision. I thought it might be a nice moment, but now I'm just hoping that it doesn't stick out as being random XD

Now that this chapter is released, I can finally give you guys a short summary for what Book 5 is about! Here you go:

Gintoki and Tsukuyo's daughter is born and she is named Sakata Kyoko. The couple starts to settle into their new lifestyle, but things take a terrible turn when Takasugi shows up. He surprisingly kidnaps Kyoko with a crazy scheme in mind. Now faced with a desperate situation, Gintoki and Tsukuyo have no choice but to go rescue their child…

And there you go! I hope this doesn't give too much away, but oh well XD I think I'm done for now. Please feel free to leave a review with your thoughts on the chapter, and look forward to the next one! Next time, everyone gets to meet Kyoko! See you then!