Chapter 7

A/N: I'm extremely sorry for the very long wait, I haven't been feeling well. Besides my issues with my back pain, I've been having severe nausea though no vomiting. I've been feeling a bit better so I figured why not Gin's birthday to update the story. I'll try to keep the story updated as regularly as possible from now on, I even know where I plan to end the story and an idea for a sequel too! Please continue to be patient and read and review this story, enjoy!

Meanwhile Kagura was running that same morning to see Saigou and Azumi at the Okama bar.

As Kagura entered, Azumi turned his head and exclaimed, "Mama! That China girl from the Yorozuya is here!"

She smiled at the Okama before Saigou himself came out.

"Hi!" the Yato girl shouted shouted simply as the man came to greet her.

"Kagura, hi. What brings you here?" the father asked as he held her hand.

She smiled and replied, "Anego-chan's birthday is coming up and we needed some help! Can you guys help?"

Azumi exclaimed excitedly, "Oh Mama, can we help? We do owe them so much!"

"Of course we can, it is the Queen of Kabuki-chou and all," Saigou responded, "I would have said it if you hadn't butted in. You just let us know how we can help okay?"

Kagura grinned and shouted happily, "Arigato!"

She left the bar then went to get more help from Hanano Ana, Yocchan and to see Soyo too.

When the young Yato arrived at the train station, she sighed as she sat down. It was sad that her best friend was so far away and her brother had been gone so long now. At the same time though, it made her smile to see her friend again after so long.

A train arrived in the station and Kagura jumped up as it stopped when she shouted, "Soyo-chan!"

The doors had barely opened when the former Shogun's little sister barrelled out toward her friend. Nobume wasn't too far behind her of course, a small smile on her face.

"Kagura-chan!" Soyo exclaimed happily as they embraced.

"Hello Kagura," the former Mimawarigumi vice-captain greeted the young woman as she gave Kagura a hug after Soyo.

Grinning, Kagura replied, "Hi Nobume, it's nice to see you too! Let's sit down and talk."

As the three of them sat, Soyo smiled as she looked around.

"It's been a while since I've been back in Edo Kagura-chan, it's still as pretty as I remember," the young woman said aloud as she reminisced.

The young Yato woman sighed and nodded as she said, "Same here."

Nobume sat back as she responded, "It's been a long time for all of us, you've been gone for a long time Kagura."

"Yeah, I missed you. How have you been?" Soyo asked curiously as she leaned more towards her friend.

Kagura smiled as she remembered her journey, "I loved it, space was wonderful! It's great being back on Earth though, I missed everyone so much. I'm glad to be back, this is my home now. So how have you been Soyo-chan, Nobume?"

"Well Jii-san has been good to me but I still miss my big brother so much," the young woman answered, "But I'm doing well, my shop is doing great thanks to Okita-san."

"I know how you feel," the ex-Mimawarigumi vice captain spoke up, "I still miss Isaburo terribly as well but he wouldn't want me to be sad anymore than your brother would want you to be sad. I'm doing well too, it's nice to live and have fun with Soyo here. Kyoto is a nice city though it's not Edo."

Kagura was a bit surprised by Nobume's candor and by Okita's contributions but happy when she replied, "I miss Shou-chan too, even that weird Sasaki guy too. They both were good guys and I'm glad you both are doing well. Actually, I wanted to know if you guys could help us with Anego-chan's birthday party?"

"Ooh, a birthday party? When?" the young former princess asked as her eyes lit up.

Her friend smirked as she replied, "Not just a birthday party but a joint Halloween party! Her birthday is on Halloween."

"Do you mean Kondou'san's wife?" Nobume asked curiously.

When Kagura nodded her head vigorously, both her friends were excited to hear about her birthday party.

"Okay, so let's go! I'll take you both to the Yorozuya and then I'll go meet Tsukky in Yoshiwara," the young Yato woman decided.

"Can't I come too?" Soyo asked a bit sadly.

Kagura was a bit embarrassed as she answered, "I didn't think I should bring you to Yoshiwara is all."

"Oh yeah, Jii-chan would have a fit wouldn't he? Okay," she decided.

"It's okay," Nobume said as she put her hand on Soyo's shoulder, "We can go visit the Shinsengumi in the meantime."

Smiling, Soyo and Nobume hugged Kagura before they left the train station. Once they got to the Yorozuya, her two friends stopped to chat with Otose and co. before going to see the Shinsengumi. Kagura smiled at the scene before she left herself to Yoshiwara to meet up with her friends there.

It was just before noon, when Gin arrived at Ikumatsu's, when Kagura arrived in Yoshiwara.

When she came to the dango shop where they had agreed to meet, Kagura heard, "There you are!"

The young Yato girl turned and exclaimed, "Sa-chan! Is Tsukky coming soon?"

She smiled at Kagura and sat while replying, "Yeah, she'll be here. Let's get some dango while we wait."

Just as soon as they ordered, the leader of the Hyakka came walking up to them.

"Tsukky! We have dango ordered," Kagura said happily.

Tsukuyo smiled softly and said, "I take it this is about Otae's birthday?"

The ninja shouted suddenly, "Oh, the psycho's birthday is coming up?"

"Yeah, I wanted to ask you guys to help us. We're trying to get everything together for a joint birthday and Halloween party!" the young female Yorozuya explained to her friends.

The young leader said after some thought, "Oh, I forgot about Halloween. We could help with the costumes then Kagura."

She lit up as she hugged Tsukuyo and shouted, "Arigato Tsukky, Sa-chan!"

Kagura almost hurried off before they reminded her of the dango. The young woman grabbed a stick and ran back to Otose's.

Again that same morning, Shinpachi wrote a letter to Kirara and her sister Urara asking them for help and an invitation to come to the party. Once he sent the letter, he headed down to visit Ane and Mone. He almost got knocked down clear over when the door opened and Komako barrelled towards him. Mone came to the door when she heard the commotion.

"Shinpachi-kun? Sorry about that," the young miko apologized as she helped him up and got the Inugami off of him.

"Arigato, sorry to bother you but I need help. Ane-ue's birthday is-" the megane otaku started before she finished his thought.

"Help? We can help if you want, we do owe you with Kamiko and all," Mone finished.

"Ugh, her birthday is coming up?" an annoyed young woman commented harshly.

Mone rolled her eyes at her sister as she chided, "Ane, why must you be so miserable? It's the least we can do to help."

Groaning, Ane grumpily replied, "Fine, we'll help but we have to do one at work anyhow. Mone, help with theirs then."

The young woman in question gave a pointed look as she answered, "Sure, I'll do that."

Shinpachi watched their interaction and just shook his head at the sisters, amused.

"Okay, come by the Yorozuya later. I have to go now!" the young man exclaimed happily as he headed out.

They waved goodbye as Shinpachi headed to the cabaret.

He arrived to see Oryou and Hanako in front.

"Oryou-san, Hanako-san, thanks for meeting me," the young Yorozuya said as he hugged them.

The would-be dancer smiled, "Well, it's for Otae-san, we want to help."

"Yeah," the other cabaret girl added, "Otae-san deserves a great birthday and we want to help her."

Grinning, Shinpachi exclaimed, "Okay! Come by the Yorozuya when you can, I have to go now!"

He quickly hugged them, thanked them again and and headed on his way again.

Shinpachi found Musashi in the park and he greeted him, "Musashi-san. Hello!"

When he saw Hasegawa coming, he waved at the sunglasses man.

"Shinpachi-kun, hi. How are you?" Hasegawa replied as he stood with his friends.

The young bespectacled man smiled and began to say, "We actually need some help for Ane-ue's birthday party. It's a joint Halloween and birthday party."

"Oh, Otae-san's birthday? I'm glad to help and Gin-san just told my wife about it. You guys might be crazy but you're our friends, of course we'd help you. How about you Musashi? Are you going to help to?" the former Madao decided enthusiastically.

"Birthday? Help?" Musashi quipped as he looked between the two.

Hasegawa chuckled and said, "Yeah, you're going to help me out."

Shinpachi smiled before saying, "Oh, I almost forgot. We also need a little help for a party after that, do you understand?"

"Hm? After?" he questioned before he realized, "Right, yeah we can."

The young samurai brightened visibly as he thanked him and reminded them to come by the Yorozuya to help.

Next for Shinpachi was to go ffor help from his groupof Otsuu fans, so he bowed, thanked them again and left.

He found Takachin, along with the other members of the Terakado Tsuu Imperial Squad in a park.

"Otsuu-chan?" Shinpachi squeaked as he noticed the idol herself, just as he greeted his friend.

She smiled brightly and said, "Hi Shinpachi-kun, Kagura-chan told me I should be here today-raccoon dog testicles!"

He gulped and nervously replied, "Yeah, Ane-ue's birthday is coming up and we need a lot of help."

Her fan was clearly happy that she not only remembered his name but was willing to help.

"Of course, Otae-chan and Kagura-chan are such good friends. I owe all of you a lot so I can help. Should I come by the Yorozuya soon-corn poop?" Otsuu exclaimed cheerfully.

Smiling, Shinpachi replied, "That's great to hear! Takachin, everyone in the squad needs to help too, got it?"

The entire squad saluted as the buck-toothed friend of his answered, "Affirmative, captain!"

"I really appreciate this everyone, I've got to go now!" the megane responded before waving to them all as he left.

The otaku rushed to the Yagyuu estate, once he began to approach though, the guards demanded identification.

Shinpachi simply replied, "Shimura Shinpachi, I need to see Kyuubei-san."

Before anymore was said was said, a blonde man demanded, "Let him in."

"Tojo-san, hello!" the young megane otaku shouted as the gate opened to reveal the caretaker to the person he'd sought out.

"Hello Shinpachi-kun, Waka has been expecting you," he said as he led him to the house.

This slit-eyed blonde seemed excited as he led the young man to where Kyuubei was.

Tojo barely knocked when a foot slammed the door straight into his face. Kyuubei didn't realize for a moment that anyone else was there as she moved the door and kicked the servant in the face.

Tojo was flat on his back but still shouted a bit muffled, "Waka!"

When she noticed her friend, Kyuubei coughed nervously and apologized, "Hello Shinpachi-kun, I didn't realize you were there. He pissed me off just recently so I assumed, well never mind. Is this about Tae-chan's birthday?"

He looked nervous as she had walked on the blonde man to come talk to him now.

"Heh, heh, okay don't worry about it. You already knew?" Shinpachi said, albeit a bit unnerved.

Kyuubei simply pointed to her calendar on the wall, which October 31st was circled very ostentatiously.

"Ah, right. So you'll help us?" he inquired expectantly.

Smiling, she responded, "Obviously, I'm already financing all of this."

"Thank you Kyuubei-san, Ane-ue will be very grateful. Oh, is it okay to host here as well?" Shinpachi questioned.

"You needn't have asked, it's part of the deal," the young heiress said simply.

The megane smiled and thanked her again, also reminding them to talk to Gin as well before leaving.

After Shinpachi left, Kyuubei ordered, "Get up Tojo, must you be so embarrassing?"

"I'm sorry waka, I'll go help you arrange things for Otae-san now," he said, a bit dejectedly.

Since her father and grandfather weren't around, she was bold enough to grab his hand before he left.

Tojo was shocked as he turned to look at her and it showed on his face.

"Waka-" he began before she interuppted him.

"Kyuubei, you can use my name when we're alone Tojo," the young samurai replied, as she furiously blushed.

Tojo smiled as he said, "Ayumu then."

Kyuubei didn't trust herself to speak so she merely nodded. The two shared a quiet moment holding hands before they must continue on with their day.

Around the same time that Gin and Shinpachi were headed back to Otose's bar to speak to Jirochou, Pirako and Gengai, Kagura went next door to Hedoro's flower shop.

The young Yato woman saw the Dakini watering plants outside when she arrived.

When he noticed her, Hedoro straightened and greeted her, "Hello Kagura, what brings you by today?"

"Hi!" Kagura exclaimed happily, "How are you?"

He smiled and replied, "I'm well and you?"

"I'm okay but I wanted some help actually. Anego-chan's birthday is coming up and some help would be appreciated. I also wanted a nice flower for a gift!" she explained to the gentle Amanto.

Hedoro smiled as he said, "I'd be glad to help, just let me know what I can do."

The young Yorozuya grinned and replied, "Arigato Hedoro, just come by the Yorozuya soon!"

Next door, Gin and Shinpachi entered Otose's Snack bar and saw Jirochou and Pirako chatting with Gengai. Gin rolled his eyes as Shinpachi shrugged.

Gin decided to tease the older man by shouting, "Hey Ganguro old man, how are you and that brat daughter?"

Jirochou narrowed his eyes as he quipped back, "Same to you punk, how are you handling that pain in the ass Otose?"

Before any of them knew what happened, Otose was there as she bopped them over the head with her fist. First was Jirochou, who cursed and then Gin, who complained aloud, "Dammit Babaa!"

She rolled her eyes and said sharply, "Well watch how you talk about someone who's letting you stay here when I almost never see any rent. I might not have to hit you if you watch your tongue."

Shinpachi shook his head in amusement before saying, "Okay, settle down Gin-san. Otose-san, Can you help us with Ane-ue's party? Jirochou-san, Pirako-san, Gengai-san, your help would be appreciated too."

The mechanic laughed out loud before answering, "Sure, I'll help! Just let me know what I can do."

Pirako piped up and added, "We can help with decorations."

Sighing, the older man agreed, "Sure, we can help but I'm an old man now."

"Pfft! Bullshit! Ganguro old men suck at lying! Just come by and help!" Gin said as he teased the man some more.

At that, they all laughed before Gin and Shinpachi went upstairs to the Yorozuya. Kagura arrived upstairs a few minutes after they got back. Shinpachi made some stew for dinner before their day came to an end.

A/N: And there's the end of the chapter, I hope you enjoyed it! I plan on typing up and posting chapter 8 tomorrow hopefully. I'll try to keep on a regular schedule so keep reading, enjoying and reviewing please! Ja ne!