Chapter 5
-Lesson 4: Patience Is A Virtue, But Will One Get Something Out of It?-
Day 3 - Tuesday, October 7th
After their morning training and breakfast, the Shinsengumi members scrambled into the premises for the upcoming meeting. Everyone knew Kondo was slacking off somewhere, chasing out his so-called "woman," and Hijikata was missing for an unknown reason, which caused rumors to be spoken among the underlings. There were some mentions that he really did get sucked into the dimension of the Mayo Kingdom or he was simply kidnapped by the Joui group. Or he decided to quit Shinsengumi once and for all! As if that would happen, since he was really loyal to Kondo-kyokuchou. Still, they all concluded that it was out of the ordinary for "oni no fukuchou" (demon vice-captain) to neglect his duties, unless today was his day off which was unheard of from Toshi himself.
"It really is weird to see him not around," one of them said in a thinking tone, "Fukuchou is always so punctual with his training, even on his break day."
"I'm telling you, he has a mistress!"
The group that chattered about all laughed simultaneously. "Hah, if there is a woman out there who can tolerate that kind of obsession with mayo," someone managed through his laughter.
"You're right!"
Their clamor died down a little, as all the squad captains entered the room in a couple of disorderly lines and Harada, who was in front, commanded them to: "Make way for the temporary vice-captain!" They stood up, making a space between the crowd, and mumbled about who has taken Hijikata's position. It had to be "him"...
"It's not a temp, Harada-san. I will be your new vice-captain from now on." The young captain traveled his way through and towards the center stage of the room. In response and in fear, without a murmur, everyone positioned themselves in a straight standing posture with arms to their sides and head upwards. It was Okita Sougo of course. In their minds, they couldn't tell who was worse: the demon mayo-addicted vice-captain or.. the King Super Sadist. As he got to the front, they all faced forward to him, in the same stance.
Last night during dinner, he suggested to his fellow squad captains to get their members to attend the morning exercise, or he probably threatened them in his own ways. While Sougo did not attend his training, uncharacteristic of him, he actually managed to be awake at this time and arrive promptly to the assembly, but most likely since he will be taking over for now until Gorilla returns from his "stalking." Clearing his throat, he stated normally, "Since Kondo-kyokuchou is absent at this time, I'll be taking over." His dark reddish brown orbs scanned their faces and found some discomforted looks. "If anyone has a problem with that, then we can all discuss about it, like gentlemen that we are." Discuss meant torture, no doubt that's what he'll do; most of their appearances changed to any sort of dismay looks.
Yamazaki resided in the back row with his boring-looking expression and thought to himself, If this meeting keeps up, everyone will probably learn a new meaning of fear. And this is why we don't have any new members I think..
The first squad captain- or rather, the vice-captain heaved a small sigh and continued, with an innocent facade, "As much as I would love to terrorize and order you guys around, I can't."
He just admitted to that, didn't he? the spy contemplated to himself.
"Ah, excuse me, forget what I said."
What do you mean forget? You wanted us to clearly know about it openly!
"But if Kondo-san were here, he would say it's our sworn duty to protect the city of Edo, for our katana and ourselves will be the sword and shield for our defenseless people. Yadda yadda." Okita pointed towards them and said, "So, you better do your work correctly." His mouth crept up to a malicious grin and his eyes slightly squinted into a glare - his Sadist face. In his dark tone, he demanded, "Or I'll personally give you the S-treatment."
Okita-taichou, you're gonna make them commit seppuku after this because of your sadistic side. Yamazaki frowned and shook his head a little with his right hand on his forehead. You really should learn some self-control before we have no members left following us. Then, he glanced at the members who all wore an expression of discomposure. Only Sagaru and the squad captains weren't too worried as the other men were; most of them were used to his antics. Knowing him, he would most likely goof off and sleep or play with that Yato girl in their violent strife, their competition between who is better.
"Squad captains, please select the area you would like to patrol, except Kabuki district; I'm picking that for my squad. Also, you're in charge of looking over your own subordinates."
As I thought, he would pick that town to play around in fact. I better continue finding Kondo-kyokuchou and Hijikata-fukuchou before things get out of hand here.
Placing his hands into his pockets, while walking out, he concluded, "That is all, meeting over."
Afternoon struck and strolling around Kabukicho, Kagura's hungry belly had yet to be filled, for one she had no money whatsoever. The lazy, idiotic Samurai, who she roommates with, probably abandoned her - or it seemed like it, and he kept the income to himself. Ever since she returned home, she slept alone and in the morning she expected Gintoki to enter the door every time she glanced at it. Strangely, not even Shinpachi arrived today. She had to wonder what they were up to and she realized how much Gintoki was right about: men are the scum of the earth; don't trust them. Mostly referring to those two and that Sadist...
Speak of the devil, here in the park he was sleeping on the bench with his sleeping mask on and arms behind his head to act as a pillow. But as much as she despised him, she was actually glad that she spotted him probably because of how lonely and discontent she had felt. She quietly sneaked closer to him, poking lightly at his cheeks. There was no reaction. Was he really resting there? "Oi, Sadist, you there?" she questioned, slightly loudly. Still nothing.
"Oi! Wake up and stop slacking off!" Eh? Was he dead? Placing her hand down around his chest area, she felt pulses rhythmically beating, like a finger tapping the desk. And she thought that she was the heavy sleeper. In her pockets of her Chinese pants, smirking a bit, she brought out a box of her Sukonbu and took one strip from it. Lowering her head down to align with his face - approximately five inches away - she waved the piece around his nose entry, to examine any distortion in his expression.
After a while, the young captain said, "Would you stop harassing me? I'll arrest you for that, China," and went a few inches closer to take a bite of the distasteful seaweed. Kagura jumped away, and yawning, Okita moved the mask up to his forehead and sat up on the bench with his one hand holding him up. He then spitted out the Sukonbu and held his tongue out in disgust. I really need some mouthwash after that, he contemplated to himself.
Holy crap. The Yato girl could have sworn - from how close their faces were - they almost.. kissed? Her face slightly reddened at the thought of it and her arms formed goosebumps. "Y-You! You were awake all this time!" she exclaimed, pointing at him, and in her whiny tone, she continued, "Yuck! I just got close to the infectious Sadist! I need to take a shower after this!"
"Stupid girl, I'm really not lying about arresting you," Sougo muttered, angrily. Standing up, he stretched his arms naturally after having a good two hours nap. "So what are you doing here, China? Did you really wanted to see your Master that badly?"
"Why the hell would I want to see that ugly face of yours?" she grumbled, placing a hand on her hip.
Okita let out a "heh." "Your actions were telling me the contrary. It almost seems like you really wanted to closely see how good-looking I am."
"Idiot, don't assuming that! I was only.. trying to pull a prank on you! That's right, that's what I was doing."
"Right," he droned out, "Well, as long as you're here, you don't mind being a slave to me."
Kagura stuck a Sukonbu in her mouth in an attempt to lessen her hunger; she was unable to eat the inhumanly portions of rice last night, since that stinkin' old lady refused to provide her enough fill to her stomach. "I said I wasn't gonna be your slave, damnit!"
"So it's okay to show the whole world this then?" he questioned, showing his phone to her with the picture on the screen.
"Perverted sadist! Put that away!" She reached for it reflexively, but before that, the "sadist" quickly closed the phone and put it in his hakama pockets.
"Now, will you listen to me?" he asked, confidently grinning.
Kagura made a sigh and pursed her lips before she wondered what to say. She had to be cautious about what she says; she probably have to give in for now and let him do whatever he wants, until she can find that Gorilla or Mayo-man by chance. Her conscious smacked herself about what she did yesterday, since she wasted all that time fighting this Sadist. She ended up slowly nodding her head.
"Good. I'll give you a dog tag later."
"What do you mean by that! - "
"Ah, I'm hungry." Sougo walked away, while ignoring her.
"Hey, don't ignore me, Sadist!" Then, her stomach grumbled loudly enough for Okita to hear.
Soon, they both arrived at a restaurant and through their venture, Okita challenged her if she could endure fifteen minutes of him eating in front of her. For completing that, she would get awarded ten bowls of Oyakodon (egg and chicken with rice). They both sat at a table for two in the corner of the room.
"You're really going to buy me that much Oyakodon?" Kagura asked, happily, "Can I trust you?"
"Of course. A Samurai won't go back on his words as long as you can manage in fifteen minutes," Sougo answered, shifting through the menu. He called out to the waitress, "Excuse me! I would like to order one large Tonkatsu (pork cutlet) lunch meal set A."
"Okay!" the lady complied back, "Coming right up!"
After ten minutes of waiting, the meal arrived on their table. The dish consisted of a healthy portion of pork, three pieces of dumplings, and a bit of salad on the side with a bowl of soup and rice. "Oh, wow! That looks so delicious!" Kagura exclaimed, with her mouth watering.
"Too bad, you're not getting any now," he replied in a taunting voice.
The Yato girl glared at him. "Whatever, I'll be getting more than what you have there if I win! Your wallet better be ready to pay!"
"If you win. Well, I'm starting - Itadakimasu." He guided his chopsticks to the dumpling and started eating piece by piece of it with a "Mmmm.." expressed. Looking towards Kagura's anxious face, he said, "Looks like you really want to eat." Left to right, he waved around the last bit of it in front of her eyes. "Is your resolve really that weak?"
"Shut up! I can do this! I will prove to you I can, Sadist." Kagura closed her eyes.
"You're supposed to look at me, or this won't be a challenge then."
"I know, I know."
Four minutes passed and the young female was almost getting to her struggling point. Sougo, with his own way of torturing others, tried many ways to tempt Kagura into taking a bite, but he could tell she was barely resisting the pressure with her hands in front itching to reach out for food. He had yet to gobble up the pork portion; he wanted to save it for last to make this challenge harder in the last minutes. He got to his salad and soup, and loudly denoted how delicious it was.
Onto the eighth minute, Okita grappled the first piece of sliced meat and languidly dipped it in the sauce. "Doesn't this look yummy, China?"
Her side of the table dripped of her puddle of saliva. Kagura shook her head up and down, with sweat falling down and eyes wide. It almost seemed like she was at her limit, but she had to think about the big meal she'll be presented. She had to resist!
"This is so exquisite! China, you want some?"
Kagura paused for a moment and shook her head furiously; she knew what he was up to. "I'm not falling for that. I will prevail!"
"But it's so juicy." He smiled innocently. "This restaurant has the best Tonkatsu after all." He continued eating slowly into his meal.
At this time, she was struggling and trying to get her hand to stop herself from touching it with her other hand. She gulped up the mouthful of saliva and her body was twitching...
And finally, it was over! All that torture and she finally got her prize at long last! But when it ended, Kagura laid her head down on the table sideways. "Ah, well, I guess you won that now. Let me order it." Sougo stood up and strode over to the waitress at the counter, whispering something inaudible and poking at the desk.
After a while, the ten bowls of Oyakodon were placed in front of her - in five rows and two columns - and Kagura completely attacked the first bowl, viciously scarfing it down. The workers all gaped with a surprised "what-the-fuck" look on their faces. It didn't take her long enough to finish all of them; Sougo could tell she didn't have enough to eat last night and this morning.
The same waitress Okita was talking to said, "Here's your prize!"
"Thanks. Let's go, China." He looked towards the relaxed girl, hanging a toothpick in her mouth. He shrugged his shoulder and sat down with her. "I can't believe how fast you ate that up. You're definitely a monster."
"Shut up, Sadist. Ah, I feel a little sleepy."
"Of course, you would, after eating that much and sitting there like a lazy pig."
"I'm not a pig!" Kagura slammed her fist down, making the same mold shape on the table.
"Anyways, from now on, you'll be listening to me, since I fed you now." He paused for a tick. "Are you free this weekend?"
WHAT?
Omake 1
-Incompetent Superiors-
(Note: This will be a tidbit about what happened to other characters, like GinHiji or any character/s who haven't made any such appearance. Some of the Omake will affect the main story, so it would be in your best interest to read.)
In broad daylight, Yamazaki and Shinpachi stood there in disgust, in front of the bar. They both met each other by chance, while Shinpachi was also searching for his silver-haired friend and Yamazaki was on the lookout for the vice-captain. They decided to go together and look for them because they had a feeling they were both together. They did discover them, but their superiors were unconscious outside, laying down on the pile of rubbish. They were both stripped naked and possibly in their boxers. Gintoki was butt-first inside of the garbage can with the lid on his knees and chest. Hijikata slept on the pile of old newspapers and magazines. They were definitely both drinking last night in their usual games; in their faint state, they were both thrown out from the bar, during closing hours.
The two young swordsman both look at each other and paused. "We don't know them," they both mumbled, simultaneously trudging away from the awkward scene.
I wish our superiors were more competent.
Author's Note: From now on, the center plot will mostly involve OkiKagu. I probably wrote too much GinHiji as is; I'm not a really huge fan of them or yaoi for that matter. I only like OkiKagu. Review if you have the chance cause hearing from you all, makes me happy to write this more. Also, I'm looking for a person to beta (sorta) or to discuss with, not for grammar (speaking of I'll edit all this later) but for ideas to develop this story, unless you have a few suggestions, please PM me. ;)
