Author's note: I do not own anything from Gintama. Please review! This story is unbetaed. It's become easier to write this fic… Compared to the others.
Chapter 8: Catch Me
"Thanks for brunch," Tae whispered in Toushiro's ear. They were in his car, stuck in a traffic jam. He first brought her to a fancy restaurant, and then afterwards he had taken her bowling, which was loads of fun. They went for snacks after. It was a day that Tae would remember forever. Everything seemed to be perfect, she was with a handsome man, so what else could she yearn for?
"It was nothing," Toushi said, trying to be as humble as he could.
"Modesty is an attractive trait," Tae tried giving a hint.
He looked away from the front and faced her. "It is?"
"Uh huh." She nodded. "Arrogant men who try to impress women are a turn-off." She grinned at him and tucked her hair behind her ear.
"Did you have a good time?" Toushi was starting to become anxious.
"Yes, I did." She widened her smile, trying to be encouraging. Tae bit her lip before saying, "I was really happy today," she slid closer and laughed nervously, "I mean, it's you… I haven't met a man like you before." She took a deep breath and let it out before looking into his eyes.
"I, uh, er, well… I…" Toushi fumbled for his words, "I'm glad."
"Did you have a good time too?" Her voice was softer this time.
"Well, I, uh, er, YES, I had a great time." He swallowed hard.
"Toushiro, I-" she paused. He did not say a word. Tae wanted to scream and pull at her hair. She felt so awkward and nervous but she needed to keep the conversation running. It wasn't their first meeting, and she hung out with him before, but why was she a bundle of nerves? Although… This might be the first time that they were alone together for half a day, without their friends nearby. It made quite a difference. She used to be an entertainer and she never had a problem speaking with men. She can even crack jokes with them. But now… she was alone… with someone she really liked… and she suddenly turned into a shy puppy. Where was Sacchan and her crazy words when she needed her?
During her last relationship with Obi-wan, she found herself bringing up anything under the sun and somehow, things went smoothly without her worrying about what he thought. Why were things so difficult right now? Tae frowned, unable to decipher her situation. Was it that with Obi-wan, everything was simple - kissing, laughing, and talking about the future - and it had become too mundane… Boring?
With Toushi, she felt rejuvenated… Challenged… And somehow, turned on. Still, it was too early to judge. They were on their first official date and were not officially going out with each other yet, so she might be presumptuous. This may only be the beginning.
The silence pressed on and Tae was beginning to lose her mind. She would strive with all her best to make it work. Finally, she plucked up the guts to speak up. "Toushi, why are you so quiet?"
That made him laugh out loud. "Otae… I just… I've never met a woman who's so forward, like you are." He recalled his ex-girlfriend… A long time ago… Mitsuba Okita, a sweet demure woman. Shaking his head, he tried to banish that memory.
"I'm just wondering…" Tae felt the blush emanating from her cheeks. She smoothed the front of her dress to calm herself.
He shrugged. "I'm just a very serious guy, I think."
"Maybe you're adjusting. It's our first real date after all."
Toushi stopped at the red light and turned to her. "Are you saying that there will be more?" His voice was soft… but husky.
"I hope so," Tae said slowly.
"Okay… Now, I'm asking you out… For a second date," Toushi grinned.
"So soon?" she teased.
"Well, if you haven't noticed… I'm quite the fast mover." Well, now with you, he thought. He shifted, feeling more relaxed.
Tae smiled and lay her head on his shoulder. "Okay, I accept." But Toushi stiffened, making her jerk away. "I'm sorry Toushi, I didn't mean to-"
"NO! I was just startled," he looked at her with wide, apologetic eyes, making her melt. She bit her lip and tentatively leaned against him and this time, he slid closer and let her. Toushi slowly turned his head to look at her. He gulped. She was so close and he could feel each and every one of her breaths. Tae was suddenly looking deep into his eyes and they were leaning towards each other, then-
BEEP! BEEP! "MOVE IT, BASTARD!" An irate driver from behind was screaming at them. He kept pressing the horn of his carn. Toushi and Tae jumped away from each other and coughed while sitting up.
Toushiro took one look at the green light and sped away with his heart in his throat.
Katsura was staring at Toushi when he flopped down on the couch at their home. "What?"
"How was it? You were on a date with that pretty girl, weren't you?" Katsura's smile was a mix of mischief and boredom.
"Well, what do you think?"
Tatsuma threw a pillow on him and it landed smack on his face. "That Lenny face of yours sure is a clue." Toushi hurled the pillow back at him.
"Toushi? You're back?" Kondou shouted from his room.
"It's not Toushi, it's Lenny face," Katsura shouted back, earning a pillow on his face. Courtesy of Toushi, of course. Kondou ran out and joined them, wearing only his briefs.
Toushi frowned. "Where's Gintoki?" He surveyed their messy home.
"He has locked himself inside his room and refuses to come out or speak to anybody," Zura informed him.
"Don't you mean to say, our room? I need to get back to my MMORPGs, the dudes are waiting," Tatsuma grumbled. "I can't even enter my own room!"
"He's still alive, isn't he?" Toushi wondered. "How long has he been there?"
Zura checked his phone. "Five hours, sixteen minutes and seven seconds. No, eight seconds. No, nine… Ten… Ele-"
"I get it! I get it!" Toushi crossed his arms. "What's wrong with him? Was Sacchan here by any chance?" He was beginning to be curious.
"Nuh-uh," Tatsuma shook his head. "It's the other lady, his girlfriend… Tsukuyo. They had a fight on the phone."
"Really? What happened?" Toushi narrowed his eyes. "Were you eavesdropping again?"
"No surprise there if they were," Kondou laughed. Zura and Tatsuma looked significantly at each other. "So, you were really spying."
"You guys never learn. You should be ashamed." Toushi shook his head and moved to grab his smoking pack.
Kondou stopped him. "Before you go out for a smoke… Tell us how your date went!"
"It was great," Toushi answered shortly and proceeded to take his cigarette break.
Katsura grabbed the pack and hid it in his own pocket. "Enough of these smelly things." He grinned mischievously.
"Hey! Give that back! Why are you guys always interrupting my break?"
"Did Otae-san have fun? Was she happy?" Kondou asked. All the other boys looked at him weirdly.
Zura threw another pillow at Kondou's face. "Why so interested? Do you have a crush on her too?"
"Stop throwing pillows at people's faces!" Toushi screamed. "It's annoying!"
"At least he ain't tossing bombs, ahahaha!" Tatsuma roared with laughter.
"Wait… Toushi, you haven't answered me yet!" Kondou protested.
Toushi sighed and a dreamy smile lit up his face. "Yeah… She said she was happy." He paused and looked at his housemates. They were gazing at him eagerly, waiting for more details. "It was great… and fun… and I dunno, I haven't felt this way before with a girl. Not even with-" Mitsuba. Toushi stopped.
Kondou stared at him with a knowing look. "Are you in love with her?" He looked anxious.
"I guess so." Toushi nodded. "Yeah, I think I love her."
Tatsuma punched the air and Zura did a little dance (yo from the hood), but Kondou only bit his lip and picked at his cuticles. I guess it's too late for me, he thought.
"Did you kiss her yet?" Tatsuma winked at Toushi.
"Uh… Look, I don't wanna talk about it." Toushi pressed his lips together.
"Why so tight-lipped?" Katsura asked.
"I don't kiss and tell."
"Are you going to ask her out for another date?" Kondou pressed.
"ENOUGH INTERROGATION YOU GUYS!" But Toushi laughed. "Stop dissecting my private business." He was in a teasing mood.
"Look who's Mr. Secretive today…" Katsura crossed his arms.
"Did she tell you her feelings? Does she like you too?" Kondou wouldn't stop asking.
"I'm not saying a word and that's final!" Toushi made an X with his forearms. "Anyway, I'm tired, so I'm gonna take a nap." He yawned and stretched then walked to his room (which he shared with Zura).
"Prepare to be tickled to death in your sleep if you don't tell us more!" Katsura threatened him.
"Sure… Whatever." Toushi simply laughed again and shut the door.
Inside, he leaned against the door and sighed. I'm in love… I really think I am! "I'm in love," he spoke it out loud, just to relish in that truth. Its reality spread throughout his entire body and gave him life. He smiled again, his cigarettes forgotten. I'm in love! He wanted to shout it out to the world but of course, he did not want to look like an idiot. His friends would tease him until… forever, even in the next life.
He could not quantify whatever attracted him to Tae. Maybe it was her beautiful smile or her lovely hair when he first saw her… But those were superficial things. He had thought of her more than that since and it was not only her beauty which held his interest. There was something about her… She was kind, silly, approachable and inviting… Toushi sighed. He knew that she was the woman for him. But what if she didn't see him as the one for her? He noticed that Kondou seemed interested in her too. Could they be seeing each other?
Toushi shook his head violently, punishing the thought away. No, Tae's not that type of a woman. But just in case… He had to move fast and confess his true feelings to her as soon as possible.
"How the hell do I do that?" he spoke to the room.
A vision of Kyuubei crossed his mind. Would she mind if Tae and I get together? He wondered about it for a bit. She seemed like…
Toushi shook his head again. Everything was complicated and even more so when he thought about it longer. He wanted it to be simple, just him and Tae Shimura. He lay on his bed and decided not to dwell on things anymore. Within minutes, he was fast asleep.
"What are you doing, Sacchan?" Mutsu strained her eyes to catch whatever was on her friend's cell phone screen.
"Nothing!" But before Sacchan could turn away, Mutsu had seen her Facebook app… On Gintoki Sakata's profile.
"Why in the world are you stalking him? I knew it. You like him. No matter how much you deny it!" She crossed her arms and raised her eyebrow.
"I do not!"
"Then explain," Mutsu gestured at the screen, refusing to believe Sacchan's excuses. "You don't have to deny it. I'm your friend, you can tell me."
"I was just curious," Sacchan mumbled feebly. "Like how that type of a loser can be in a relationship or something."
"You aren't simply stalking him. You're jealous too."
"You're missing the point, Munemitsu." Sacchan shook her head and flopped down on the couch. "Since you're so frustrating, I'm gonna order something through Honestbee."
"Pizza… Cake… Sushi… Milk tea. YES!" Mutsu counted with her fingers eagerly. "I am famished."
"I'm not paying for your share. Isn't your birthday coming up? This should be your treat."
"Let's split the bill then. And then you can tell me all about this Gintoki business while we're filling up on food."
"There is no Gintoki business or whatever." Sacchan murmured distractedly as she punched their order and confirmed the payment with her credit card.
Mutsu raised her eyebrow again. "Ayame Sarutobi, I've known you for almost a decade and I know when there is man business going on. I'm the last person you can ever fool."
"You're wrong this time."
"What about Kawakami?" Mutsu always referred to him as Kawakami. It made her feel bad-ass. "You're still sleeping with him, aren't you?"
Sacchan sighed heavily. "Don't make it sound so sleazy. I really like him, if you must know."
"Like is different from love."
"You would know?" Sacchan laughed and Mutsu blushed. "Falling in love isn't simply diving into the sea or pressing the power button on your computer."
This time, Mutsu chuckled. "Wow… That was… Poetic."
"Shut up, Munemitsu." They bantered for a while… Until the bell rang. It was their order. Sacchan waved away Mutsu's cash. "Save your treat for that birthday of yours. I'm buying this time because I need you to listen to me."
That perked up her brown-haired friend who already started digging into both the pizza and cake but was awaiting her confession with overflowing eagerness. "Go on, you can trust me."
"I have absolutely no interest in Gin-san… I just thought that his girlfriend's name sounded familiar. Like I went to college with her or something."
"Really?"
Sacchan nodded and took a sip of her drink, draining it to half. "Turns out, she is that girl."
"And?" Mutsu prompted.
"Well, Tsukuyo was that girl… tall, beautiful, hot body, athletic, smart… at the top of our class… had more than a handful of guys after her… I didn't know her much but I remember her."
Mutsu whistled. "Well, small world then. So that's why you were stalking his profile? The only reason is curiosity?"
Sacchan bit her lip and made a slurping sound as she finished the last of her milk tea. "Yes. The only reason."
"Uh, Sacchan, you're practically inhaling even the cup."
"Oops." She laughed and tossed it into the garbage can. "Don't ever question my feelings for that silver-haired loser again."
"This was boring. And I thought I would discover something juicy for once." Mutsu sighed dejectedly and proceeded to gobble up the sushi.