Silver Moon – Book 5 Chapter 10

One relatively short car ride later, Gintoki and Tsukuyo arrived at the Shinsengumi Headquarters. Hijikata had also tagged along for the ride, wanting to make the situation look more like an official escort rather than a forced takeover. He figured that if he let this incident slide, it would only make the Shinsengumi look bad.

Upon arrival, Tsukuyo was the first one out of the car. She immediately went straight to the building with a determined look in her eyes.

"Man, she doesn't waste any time at all, does she?" said Hijikata as he stepped out of the vehicle.

"Yeah, well, when your infant daughter gets kidnapped by a maniac, you start to get a little hasty," said Gintoki, casually scratching the back of his head as he walked.

"You seem awfully relaxed considering you're in the same situation," Hijikata noticed with a scowl. He then looked away. "Hmph, deadbeat dad," he muttered.

Gintoki turned to him. "Huh!? What the hell did you just say!?"

"You heard me…"

Gintoki clenched his teeth. "Oh yeah? Well you don't seem to do much parenting yourself…"

"Idiot, I don't have any kids."

"Oh, right. I forgot that you've never been with a woman."

"Shut up!"

The two of them continued to bicker until they caught back up with Tsukuyo at the front door of the building. There, they discovered that she was talking with Sogo.

"Glad you could all make it," said the sadist with a sly smile. "I just got back a moment ago myself."

Tsukuyo frowned. "Where's the spy?" she asked bluntly.

"Inside," said Sogo, turning to lead the way.

Gintoki turned to his wife. "Do you need help?"

"No, I can handle this myself," she said seriously.

Gintoki nodded. "I'll leave it to you then."

They eventually arrived at their destination, a large sliding door. "He's in there," said Sogo, pointing ahead. "Go have fun."

"Thanks a million," said Tsukuyo, truly grateful for his assistance.

She wasted no time sliding the door open and slamming it shut behind her. Inside the small, dark room was a man dressed similarly to the spy that Tsukuyo had questioned earlier. He was currently chained to the wall, and couldn't move an inch. He stared at Tsukuyo as she approached him.

Tsukuyo drew a kunai and pointed it right at his face. "Let's make this quick," she told him in the coldest tone possible. "I'm here to ask some questions about Takasugi and his location. The last spy that I talked to gave me some trouble, so I'm no longer in a mood to negotiate. You'll tell me what I need to know, or you'll regret it. Understand?"

The spy instantly started sweating out of fear, and nervously gulped…

Meanwhile, out in the hallway, Gintoki, Hijikata, and Sogo all stood there silently with their arms crossed, facing each other. It was a long time before anyone spoke up.

"So," said Hijikata quietly, "what's your next move going to be?"

Gintoki just stared at him for a moment. "Well, if we can get Takasugi's location, we'll be going straight there to get Kyoko back. Simple as that."

Hijikata stared back. "Are you sure that's the best plan?"

"It will be dangerous," Sogo murmured.

"We know," said Gintoki. "But it can't be helped. I know that Tsukuyo's not going to stop until we get Kyoko back safely, and I honestly feel the same way."

The hallway went silent once more. It definitely seemed like nobody wanted to say any more than what they had to. They were just too stubborn for that.

Eventually, the sound of the door opening broke the silence. Tsukuyo stepped out before shutting the door behind her. She then approached the men.

"I know where Takasugi is hiding," she told Gintoki.

The samurai unfolded his arms. "That spy told you everything?"

Tsukuyo nodded.

"You sure he was telling the truth?"

Tsukuyo nodded again. "He didn't seem like he was in the mood to lie. Not with a kunai in his face, anyway."

Gintoki grinned. "I guess you do good work when you're trying to be terrifying."

Tsukuyo smirked a little bit at his comment, but soon turned away. "Anyway, we have the bastard's location. Let's get going."

Gintoki started following her. "Right."

Hijikata quickly tried to stop them. "Hold on a second! You guys are already leaving!?"

"Yup," said Gintoki bluntly.

"Well, what about Takasugi's location!? Aren't you going to share it with us!?"

Gintoki pointed behind him. "Just go ask that spy. He'll probably tell you now that Tsukuyo broke him."

Hijikata didn't know what to say. He couldn't believe that they were moving along so fast. "Well…um, you two are going alone? Don't you need any help?"

"We don't need help," said Tsukuyo quietly.

Gintoki grinned a little. "Do us a favor and let us go raise some hell on our own for a little while. We kind of deserve our chance to get revenge against that bastard."

Gintoki then paused before staring at Hijikata with a mocking smile. "Besides, lonely men like you don't know what it's like to be a parent anyway, so they shouldn't go sticking their noses in parents' affairs."

This comment naturally pissed Hijikata off. He crossed his arms and clenched his teeth. "Fine! Go on! Get yourself killed and make your kid an orphan for all I care!"

Gintoki laughed a little at this. Tsukuyo just sighed as she kept walking. "Thanks for everything you two," she said, nodding to both Hijikata and Sogo.

They both frowned and nodded in return. They ended up following the couple outside as they walked out of the building. They stood in the doorway as they watched them leave.

"All right," said Gintoki with confidence. "Next stop, Takasugi's place."

Tsukuyo suddenly stopped in her tracks and stood still. "Wait a second…"

Gintoki also stopped and curiously stared at her. "Hmm?"

Tsukuyo let out a tired sigh. "I don't believe this."

"What?" he asked.

"Give me a second," she told him.

Tsukuyo immediately turned around and ran back towards Shinsengumi Headquarters. She then leapt onto the roof and disappeared from sight. It was only a moment before someone else came tumbling from the roof to the ground. Naturally, this person had a kunai in his back. Tsukuyo soon reappeared and jumped to the ground, landing next to the person.

Gintoki just stared at them both. "What the hell?" Upon taking a closer look, Gintoki recognized that the man on the ground was actually the spy that Tsukuyo had caught and questioned earlier that night.

"Seriously!?" Tsukuyo angrily shouted at the spy. "You're still following us!?"

The spy looked up at her, a little scared.

Tsukuyo fiercely grabbed him and lifted him by the front of his shirt. "Do you have any idea how upset I am tonight? Knowing that scum like you is actually still trying to follow us around? Learn your place already!"

By now, the man was sweating out of terror. "I-I'm sorry!" he cried.

Clenching her teeth, Tsukuyo decided to hurl him back to the front door of the building. The man landed roughly right at Hijikata and Sogo's feet. The two officers simply stared at him with blank looks.

"Either kill him or imprison him," Tsukuyo told them coldly. "I don't care which."

The man twitched a bit as Tsukuyo gave him one final glare before turning around. She soon caught up with Gintoki.

"Let's go to Takasugi's ship," she said quietly.

Gintoki gave her a half-hearted smile. He then gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Yeah, let's go," he agreed.

Back at the Yorozuya office, Shinpachi and Kagura were still sitting around, waiting for news. It had been a few hours since Gintoki and Tsukuyo had left in a hurry.

Since then, Kagura had actually managed to regain some feeling in her body. She was quickly becoming able to move her arms and legs, although they were still a bit sluggish. Still it was better than nothing. Kagura soon got to her feet and tried walking around the room in an attempt to get her muscles moving again.

"How are you feeling?" asked Shinpachi, watching her.

"Much better," said Kagura. "It won't be long before I'm back to one hundred percent."

Just then, the phone started ringing as Kagura passed by it. She stared at it before slowly reaching out and picking it up.

"Hello?"

"Hey, China, it's me," the other line said.

"Oh, you," Kagura mumbled without emotion.

"Hey, you don't have to sound so excited," Sogo replied.

Kagura rolled her eyes. "Did you find anything?"

"Yeah, sort of," said Sogo. "The Boss just left our place. He has the information he needs."

Kagura perked up. "Huh? Really, Gin-chan was there?"

"Yeah, I gave him a hand like you asked, so you're welcome," said the sadist in a very condescending tone.

Kagura rolled her eyes again. "Great, thanks for the help, jerk."

"Heh. Anyway, they're both on their way to Takasugi now. They plan on getting their kid back themselves."

Kagura sighed, a little relieved. "That's good news. I'm glad that they know where he is. Now it should only be a matter of time before they find Kyoko!"

"Probably," Sogo agreed.

Kagura then smiled a bit. "You know, you've been a big help tonight. More than usual, considering who you are."

"Is that supposed to be a complement?" asked Sogo, unamused.

"You can take it as a 'thank you'. It's the best you'll get from me."

"I should have known. You never did know how to speak properly."

"Hmph, so much for the thank you," said Kagura, suddenly slamming the phone down and hanging up.

Shinpachi just watched her with wide eyes. "Well, did they find out where Kyoko is?"

"Gin-chan and Tsukky are apparently heading there now," Kagura briefly explained. "I'm not sure where it is, but it doesn't matter. We should get ready for action."

Shinpachi stared at her for a moment before nodding.

Kagura simply looked down at her fist, and clenched it with ease. She then jumped in place a few times before throwing a couple punches at the air. The paralysis had finally worn off…

Meanwhile, a fair distance away, Takasugi stood in a room on his ship, surrounded by the core members of the Kiheitai. Matako was sitting off to the side, frowning. Takechi was standing near her, with his arms crossed. Bansai was quietly playing his instrument in the nearby corner. Takasugi glanced at them all before smiling and staring down at the small infant resting in his arms.

"Sakata Kyoko," he said quietly. "Funny, she resembles her parents. It's possible that she'll be a strong warrior one day, just like them." Takasugi then looked away from the child. "I guess that Naraku assassin that we captured a long time ago was correct after all. This child would certainly grow up to be a huge threat for them." Takasugi lightly chuckled at this comment.

The others watched him in silence. Matako ended up pouting by leaning forward and resting her chin on her hands. She then sighed. "Ugh, Shinsuke-sama, what the hell are you doing?"

Takasugi glanced at her, still grinning slightly. "What?"

Matako quickly pointed at him. "This! What the hell is this!? You…you kidnapped a baby!"

"That's correct," he replied calmly.

"What the hell!?" she cried again. "Why!? I mean, seriously, I can't understand any reason why you'd want to kidnap the Shiroyasha's child of all things!"

Takechi remained silent as he listened to her. Bansai kept mindlessly strumming his instrument.

Takasugi kept his composure, along with his grin. "Who knows?" he asked her with a shrug. "She could be a powerful ally someday."

"This kid!?" asked Matako. "It's just a baby for crying out loud!"

"It's true, Shinsuke" said Bansai suddenly. He smiled a bit as played some notes. "I can see it too."

Matako just stared at him, confused. "See what? What are you talking about?"

Takasugi just ignored her as he stared at Kyoko once more. She was sound asleep in his arms. "Such a peaceful child," he noted. "She's hardly anything like Gintoki in that respect."

Takasugi then glanced up at Matako. "Say, Matako, do you want to hold her?"

Matako immediately looked stunned. "Huh? Hold her!?"

Takasugi nodded.

"Hmph, no thanks," said Matako, turning away vehemently. "Honestly, we shouldn't have anything to do with that baby! Seriously, Shinsuke-sama, have you even thought any of this through? You don't even know anything about raising a child, do you!?"

Suddenly, Takechi spoke up. "Ah, Shinsuke-dono, I would like to hold her."

Matako was quick to shoot that down. "What!? No way! We shouldn't let you anywhere near that child! You're just a pervert after all!"

"I'm not a pervert, I'm a feminist," Takechi clarified. "So how about it, Shinsuke-dono?"

Takasugi shrugged. "Sure, why not?"

"Shinsuke-sama!" Matako cried. "You can't be serious! Don't let this disgusting guy hold that innocent girl!"

"Calm down, Matako," he said smoothly. He then handed Kyoko over to Takechi, who welcomed her gently. Takasugi then relaxed as he crossed his arms. "Raising a child should be simple enough. All you have to do is feed her, keep an eye on her, teach her right from wrong…"

Matako listened to Takasugi's words as she watched Takechi carefully rock the child. She then placed her palm on her face. "I can't believe this is actually happening. The Kiheitai are not only baby snatchers now, but babysitters too…"

"You're focusing too much on the child," said Takasugi calmly. "She's only a small piece in the grand scheme."

Matako just sighed again. "It's still ridiculous though…"

Just then, Kyoko awoke and started crying loudly. Takechi stared down at her with a blank face. "Ah, she was peaceful earlier, but she appears to be rather fussy now."

"That's because your entire being is clearly upsetting her!" Matako yelled at him. "Stop holding her already!"

Takechi turned to her. "But I didn't do anything."

Matako frowned at him. "You exist. That's enough to make any child unhappy."

"That's so cruel, Matako-san," he said sadly. He was soon startled as Kyoko wailed loudly once more. It was clear that she needed to be comforted.

"Here, I'll calm her down," said Takasugi, taking Kyoko back into his own embrace. "Rest easy, Kyoko. We're not going to hurt you."

"Perhaps some music would help?" suggested Bansai. He soon started playing a soft lullaby-like tune.

"That will work perfectly," said Takasugi as he craftily rocked the child back and forth. It only took a few minutes before Kyoko quieted down. "See? She's a peaceful child after all, just like I said."

Matako heavily frowned and crossed her arms. "I hope you realize that on top of everything else, the Shiroyasha is certainly going to come here and attempt to reclaim his child."

Takasugi took a moment to watch Kyoko slowly doze off. Once she was asleep, he turned to Matako with a grin. "Of course, I understand that perfectly. Truth be told, I actually have a feeling that I won't be able to hold onto her for as long as I would like."

Matako raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean?"

Takasugi gently closed his eyes. "It means that I'm sure Gintoki will come here after all and successfully take his child back. When it comes to this sort of thing, there's no doubt he'll be relentless. He'll chase us across the universe in order to take Kyoko back from us. That's just how he is, and I have a feeling that he'll eventually succeed. It's only a matter of time."

Takasugi then paused before slowly rising to his feet. "That being said, there is something that I would like to test while we still have Kyoko in our grasp. If it's true that our time with her is limited, then we might as well make the most of it."

Matako looked completely lost. "Test? Shinsuke-sama, just what the hell are you planning!? Tell me already!"

"Matako, please calm down," Bansai suddenly spoke up. "Shinsuke clearly has a plan. Just trust him."

"Easy for you to say, Bansai-senpai," said Matako with a snarl. "You probably know what he's planning, don't you?"

Bansai simply shrugged as he looked away with a small smile. Matako soon turned to Takechi.

"What about you, Takechi-senpai!? Don't you think this kid is more trouble than she's worth!?"

Takechi turned to her with a blank expression. "Honestly, I'm on board with any plan that involves looking after the well-being and health of a young female."

Matako, infuriated, pointed a gun at him. "You creepy old perv!"

"Now, now, let's not waste any time," said Takasugi, choosing to walk between them. He then stared straight into the eyes of the Crimson Bullet. "Matako, I trust that no matter what the circumstances, you'll still follow my orders."

For some reason, when he looked at her and said this, Matako felt her heart skip a beat. She immediately put away her gun as she blushed a little. "Y-yes, Shinsuke-sama!"

Takasugi nodded. "Good. In that case, I want you and Takechi to accompany me. We'll be heading out now. Bansai, I trust that you'll look after the ship while we're gone."

Bansai gave a small nod. "Of course."

Takechi looked curious. "We're leaving the ship?"

"Where are we going, Shinsuke-sama?" asked Matako, sounding much more obedient.

"You'll see when we get there," said Takasugi ominously. He then started walking forward, carrying the sleeping Kyoko in his arms. "Now let's get moving. Like I said, time is of the essence."

Hello, hello, how's everyone doing? I'm doing great too, thanks for asking! Oh, uh…sorry for starting this off so politely, I just felt like it for once XD

I don't think I have anything to say about the chapter…The plot thickens, I guess?

In other news, I'm super excited that they recently announced that JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 5 will finally be getting an anime! Took them long enough! Ho ho, it's going to be good (nods head accordingly). Please go check out JoJo's if you haven't already. This is my humble request, so respect it! (strikes odd pose)

Oh hey, doesn't the Gintama anime also come back in like a few weeks? Awesome! I guess we all have that to look forward to as well! (kicks feet back) Ahhh, it's a good time to be an anime fan…(relishing the feeling)

Well, that was kind of…different XD (gets embarrassed) Er, please feel free to leave a review (begging) and look forward to the next chapter! (has no idea when it will be) Next time (looks ahead), Gintoki and Tsukuyo will show up! (hopes this is enticing) (worries that it's not) (meanwhile is having too much fun with these parentheses) (needs to end the chapter already) (out of ideas) (starts to sweat) Er, bye! (leaves)