Chapter 3: Welcome back

Recap:

Dear guys,

I'm coming home.

Love Kagura

Tears came down Shinpachi's eyes as he read the letter that came in this morning. After he received this, he ran straight to Gintoki, who was looking out the window and staring out the sky. Even though Gin had been returning to normal, somewhat, he hadn't been feeling like himself. Everyone became more reassured that Kagura wasn't dead, but still nothing had come up. Gintoki was just quietly mulling over his thoughts until Shinpachi burst through the room, tears streaking down his face and he was clutching a letter.

"She's coming back! She's alive and she's coming home, Gin-san!"

Gintoki looked at him before rushing towards him and taking the paper from him before reading it himself. He was silent for a while before he smiled and this time didn't even bother to hide his tears when he sank on his knees.

"She's alive, she's coming home!"

Shinpachi shook Gintoki's shoulders roughly, the latter still holding the letter gently to his chest. After a while, Shinpachi ran off to tell the others to meet up at Otose's bar while Gintoki sat on the couch and reread the letter over and over again until he was sure he wasn't dreaming. After a few minutes, everyone came to Otose's bar looking positively drained and sad. Shinpachi stood on the counter and looked at all the sad and mulling faces. Three words were enough to make them more attentive.

"She's coming home."

And just at that, the door opened and in stepped a figure stepped in cloaked. The figure lifted up her head and everyone was shocked. Blue eyes stared at them under vermillion colored bangs. Her pale skin was caked with blood, but the figure managed to smile and say,

"I'm back."

Time skip:

Gintoki sat beside the bed of the girl who was sleeping silently. He hadn't left this spot every since Kagura was rushed to the hospital with a punctured stomach, broken ribs and deep cuts and blood lose. And that was three days ago. Whenever someone would come to try to make him leave, he would glare at them so fiercely that some of the nurses sent fainted so they just left him alone. Shinpachi entered the room and smiled at Gintoki who sat beside the girl like a protective guard dog. He quietly went to them and placed down a bag on top of the dresser where Kagura's clothes and other stuff were.

"Gin-san, I'm leaving some clothes for you here, but you should really go home and rest. Kagura-chan will be safe here."

Gintoki just shook his head and observed the girl who was sleeping peacefully. The curtains were closed so that light wouldn't come in too much and so that she would be able to recover much faster. Even though the famed Yato clan was incredible at regenerating from wounds, I guess even the best would heal slower if they were injured too much.

Shinpachi sighed and shook his head, but smiled. Standing beside the girl's bed, he looked her over. She had grown so much, considering it had been three years since then. The Yato girl had become very beautiful over the years, with her hair now let loose but some were pulled back to form a bun. Her bangs were now parted from the left side. Her skin was as pale as ever and was scar free from her face but her body was a different story. She had grown taller, only being half a foot shorter than Shinpachi. She had filled out in all the right places that it made Shinpachi proud and protective, seeing the girl as practically his sister.

"She's become beautiful, hasn't she, Gin-san?"

Gin just smiled and nodded, leaning back on his chair and crossed his arms over his chest and heaved a sigh. He had been so worried for the girl, and it made him somewhat annoyed. He had never cared and been scared for anyone his entire life.

'What have you made me reduce to, you brat?' In thought as he smiled. Seeing as it's been three days since she came staggering in the bar barely alive and three days since she had been unconscious, it made them both anxious. Though the doctor said that it was normal and that she would recover soon and needed the sleep, he didn't specify on how long and just said

'That depends on how strong she really is.'

So, they just watched and waited till she opened her eyes again and they could finally be together again.

As a week passed, they were getting relentless. Kagura had been getting more and more visits. First, Otae had practically barged into the hospital and politely demanded (threatened) the staff to give her the room number; the people were smart enough to give it to her before she went on a rampage inside the hospital. She flew beside Kagura and refused to leave her side until Kondo went to visit and had to literally drag her out when he left an hour later. The next people who visited were Otose and Catherine, who went to give Kagura some flowers and a dozen of sukonbu to eat when she would wake up. After that, before they left, Otose smacked gin on the head and said that he shouldn't worry too much or else he'll get old early.

"Mind your own business, old lady."

Gin said as he ate. As the two women left, Gin sighed and said as he stretched.

"Finally, I hope that no one else visits her today, too much racket-"

He didn't get to finish his sentence when the door opened and in came three other people. Gin felt a tick mark form on his head,

"What are you guys doing here, shouldn't you be like, trying to catch Zura or something?"

Hijikata blew an annoyed puff of smoke into the room and entered with Okita and Yamazaki Sagaru behind him.

"What? We couldn't pay a visit to a friend now?"

Hijikata said annoyed as he puffed a smoke. Shinpachi snatched it and crushed it with the heel of his shoe before throwing it in the trash bin. Hijikata looked at him surprised then turned annoyed,

"Why'd you do that you idiot?!"

"No smocking in the hospital especially while Kagura-chan isn't even recovered yet!"

Hijikata 'tched' and pouted while Yamazaki came forward and gave them some food.

"Here you go; it's some anpan and cake. I hope you enjoy it."

Shinpachi smiled and took it,

"Thank you, Yamazaki-san, Kagura-chan will like this I'm sure."

Okita just ignored the rest and came closer to the sleeping girl. He stopped beside her bed and looked at her sleeping face. Reaching out a hand, he grabbed a piece of her hair between his fingers and smiled.

"You're finally back, China girl. And since you're sleeping, it's a disadvantage for you then."

The others looked at him curiously and paled when they saw him on top of the girl on the bed. His face was getting scarily close to hers so Hijikata, Gin and Shinpachi with the exception of Yamazaki who was watching them with wide eyes, kicked Okita, who flew to the wall and landed with a crack and a loud thud.

"What were you trying to do to Kagura-chan you-you pervert!"

Shinpachi stuttered as he angrily pointed at the young man. Okita just rubbed his jaw were they had kicked him and looked at them bored,

"What else did it look like? I was going to kiss her duh."

"Wh-Wh-What!"

Shinpachi stuttered as he looked at Okita disbelievingly. Hijikata and Gin looked pale,

"W-Why exactly?"

Okita smiled at them,

"Well If I kiss her then it's basically my win right? Since, I can't fight an injured person and kissing was the only option."

The room was silent for a while before Gin, Hijikata, Okita and Shinpachi went out on an all out brawl, with Yamazaki looking at them while he laughed, then tried to stop them.

"G-Guys, I don't think it's a g-good idea to fight in the hospital in an injured person's room."

He reasoned but the only answer he got was a shoe being thrown at his head. Gin was about to punch Okita when another fist hit him in the face. The four people looked at each other, then to the fist that belonged to none other than the previously sleeping girl, who had annoyed look o n her lovely face.

The four looked at the girl stupefied.

"You guys, didn't you know that it's rude to fight in a patient's room?"

Kagura said as she stood from her bed and whacked the four people silly with her uninjured hand. After a while, she stood in front of four bowing people. Kagura had a dark look on her face, and Yamazaki had to hide behind the bed since it was too scary to look at her.

"We're very sorry!"

The four idiots said as they bowed. Kagura still had a scary look on her face. The next people who were visiting were completely surprised when they saw this sight.

Ketsuno Ana and Seimei looked at the scene and sweat dropped. Ana cleared her throat to get their attention,

"Excuse me…"

Kagura looked up and was surprised by the familiar faces,

"Ketsuno Ana, Seimei, what a surprise!"

Kagura said, smiling at the two before looking at the four on the ground and kicked them one more time before ordering them to stand up and greet the others. The other four boys shakily stood up and raised a shaky hand while under the watch of a still pissed of Kagura.

"Y-Yo, Ketsuno Ana-san, bro-bro…"

"H-Hello…"

The two siblings sweat dropped again but Kagura just said to ignore the four grumbling, heavily beaten up people. They did as they were told, slightly nerved at what the supposedly injured beauty could do.

"We heard that you were found after a few months you were reported missing and was rushed to the hospital, we came to see if you were well."

Ana said as she smiled at the girl who was tucked in her bed again by a nurse that came to check on her, Kagura smiled at the two,

"Thank you for coming all the way here to see me, I hope that you weren't too troubled."

"No, beside's it would only be proper since you helped us a lot before."

Seimei said, trying not to blush at the girl before him. She had changed.

"Anyway, you sure have changed a lot since before, Kagura-san."

Kagura blushed and grinned at them cheekily, scratching her cheek,

"Really? Do I look weird?"

Kagura asked while pouting a bit which made her look cute. Seimei felt a hot blush creep into his cheek while Ana noticed this and smiled mischievously, thinking to herself, 'I smell matchmaking!'

"No, not at all, actually you're quiet beautiful, don't you think so too, Seimei-niisan?"

Seimei stuttered and coughed,

"Y-Yes…"

Kagura smiled and laughed.

"Thank you, Seimei, Ketsuno Ana-san!"

Ana smiled and thought of plans to get her brother and the beautiful girl together while Seimei and Kagura conversed, much to the annoyance of some people.

"Are you sure it's alright for you to be moving about, Kagura-san?"

Seimei asked. The girl just grinned and lifted her arms and moved them about,

"I'm fine, perfectly alright, see? And stop calling me that, 'Kagura-san' crap, Kagura will be fine!"

Ana laughed evilly in her mind and stood up, pulling her brother along,

"Well, we better get going now! Get well soon, Kagura-chan, let's go nii-san!"

Seimei nodded then turned to the vermilion haired girl, he blushed and rubbed the back of his neck,

"Get well soon, and see you around Kagura."

Kagura nodded and waved after the siblings. As the two left, Kagura turned her attention towards the four people still kneeling at the foot of her bed and smiled, memories flashing back to her as she took in the changes the people she knew had gone through to.

"Guys, you can stop kneeling now."

The four then hesitantly looked up and saw her grinning, which made her beautiful features more prominent that they had the urge to blush, but pushed it down.

"Erm, sorry about the earlier ruckus, Kagura-san."

Yamazaki said, rubbing the back of his neck out of embarrassment. Kagura just smiled and laughed at the blushing young man and waved her hand in front of her face good naturedly.

"Its fine, I'm sorry too, I kinda over reacted since I was a bit grumpy. Anyways, what were you guys fighting about exactly?"

Kagura asked, turning towards the four men who were simply staring into space or staring at her. Their attention then went back to their conversation and Shinpachi nervously looked towards the two Shinsengumi officers who were eating the food brought for the girl.

"O-oh, well, you see, we were just fighting about how noisy they were getting while you were sleeping, so uh yeah!"

Kagura looked at the young man suspiciously but sighed and nodded,

"Alright, I'll let that slide for now, but first, this."

With that Kagura jumped from her bed to hug Shinpachi who recoiled from the girl who suddenly jumped at him and was now hugging him fiercely. The other spectators watched with shock and surprise painted on their faces.

"I missed you guys so much! I thought that I would never see you again!"

Kagura cried as she hugged him, then let go, wiping away a few tears that were pooling in her crystalline blue eyes. Shinpachi laughed and returned the hug with as much strength as he could muster.

"I missed you too you crazy girl."

He murmured into her hair. Kagura smiled and pulled away then felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw Okita stand there with a slightly annoyed look on his face. He held out his arms and asked with a playful smirk.

"What, don't I get a hug?"

Kagura looked at him as if he had grown two heads, but shrugged it off and hugged him as well, just as hard as she hugged Shinpachi.

"You sure have changed, China girl."

Kagura stuck her tongue out and laughed when he did the same.

"Of course I would have changed! It's been like three years already, I'm not just some kid anymore!"

Kagura said as she poked him on the chest repeatedly, intentionally adding more strength with each poke. Okita flinched, but then just sighed and stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"Okay, okay I got it, no need to break my ribs now alright."

Kagura smiled and turned her attention to Hijikata who was already smocking. What the Shinsengumi vice captain didn't except was for the young woman to reach up and pull him down for a fierce hug.

"What, you didn't want a hug? Well too bad cause I'm already giving you one Toushi."

Kagura said as she smiled at him stupidly after releasing him from her hug. Hijikata stood there speechless and after a few moments, he just sighed and turned to walk away, unbeknownst to the others that he was smiling, yet only Yamazaki was able to see it.

"Well, we came to see if you were doing alright, and now that we have, we'll be going, see ya around."

Hijikata said as he waved without looking back, then disappeared around the corner, with Yamazaki following suit. Okita sighed and smirked at the girl who was already sitting on the bed and came up and ruffled her hair, making it messier than it already was.

"Hey! What's the big idea-"

"Get well soon China girl, I'm still waiting for that promise you said of beating my sorry ass up. Hurry up and get better."

With that, the sadistic male left the room, leaving behind the three young people with a bad taste in their mouths.

"Well that was completely uncalled for."

Shinpachi said as he stood up,

"Well, I got to go. I need to tell Nee-san that you're already awake. Get some rest Kagura-chan and go home too Gin-san, you need to rest and to take a bath, you'll start smelling later. Bye guys!"

After the male left, Gin sighed and sank into his seat, feeling a bit bitter. Why the hell should I be upset that Kagura only hugged them? Gah! Why'd she have to hug that Mayonnaise loving freak, but not me? Why am I even thinking like this? Stupid brat, what have you reduced me too? Gin thought, but smiled nonetheless.

"Gin-chan!"

Gin's eyes snapped wide open and was now staring Kagura dead in the eyes, with her face just inches away from his.

"You weren't responding to any of what I said, are you sick?"

Kagura asked bumping her forehead against his. Gin inwardly blushed, but he kept a straight face outside.

"No, and why the hell are ya outta bed? You want me to tie you up so that you would actually stay put and rest?"

Kagura pouted and did the most shocking thing Gin thought she would do. She hugged him tightly as if he were her life line. Gin didn't respond, but after a few seconds, let his walls crumble down and hugged her tightly.

"I was so scared…so scared that I wouldn't be able to see you again."

Kagura cried as she hung unto him for dear life. Her tears fell from her eyes and she felt Gin hug her tighter if possible. The pair just stayed there for a few minutes in each other's embrace, afraid that if they let go, the other would disappear from them. Gin then felt Kagura go limp and heard her steady breathing. He smiled and brushed a stray hair away from her face and gently carried her over to her bed and carefully laid her down. He was expecting her arms to let go, but her gripped didn't loosen at all. Gin sighed and did the only thing he could think of at the moment. Moving the Yato girl to make some space, he laid down beside her and covered both of them in the blanket, he then propped up his arm so that it would support his neck, while the other one was wrapped securely around Kagura's sleeping form. Looking at the door to see if there were any disturbances, he gently lowered his face to Kagura's and kissed her forehead gently and lovingly, the rising moon his only witness at his display of pure and genuine affection for the girl that was sleeping in his arms. After a while, the nurse who was in charge of taking care of Kagura looked quiet shocked and surprised at the scene before her, the two people sleeping together in each other's embrace, both, with a contented smile gracing their features.

The old nurse smiled at the young couple and quickly did her routinely check up on the young girl without waking the both of them and left as quietly as she could, closing the door behind her silently. Reporting that Kagura was just fine and that no one needed to disturb her at the moment since she was asleep, the old nurse left down the hall, quietly giggling to herself about how young love was always so sweet.