"Takasugi!" Gin shouted and immediately stood up from their table.

"Soyo-chan!" Kagura shouted.

"That bastard! Of all places he could cause trouble, it had to be the Hime-sama's birthday party!" Hijikata ran towards where the princess was last seen. The silver haired perm had cut every curtain, letting the moonlight be their only illumination.

"Kagura! Shinpachi! Hurry and find the switch!"

"Hai Gin-san!" Shinpachi ran to find the switch. The other guests hurriedly scrammed. The only people left were the disguised Shinsengumi, the Yorozuya, and the assailants.

"I knew I caught a familiar scent. To think you were gonna be here, o samurai-san." Then the perm-head stepped back saving himself from the umbrella that almost separated his head from his body.

"Y-you are...!" He blocked the second attempt with his wooden sword. "Kamui!" The male Yato jumped back, smirked, then opened his eyes and glared.

"To think that you would attend something so extravagant ... You've really changed, Gintoki." Takasugi chuckled evilly and moved beside Kamui.

"Takasugi, I knew you liked going to parties but this one's special. I can't have you ruining it." Then the lights turned on. Kagura gasped and her eyes widened.

"Bastard ..." Her voice broke. She clenched her fist then gritted her teeth. "How dare you show your face to me ..." Kamui turned to look at her.

"Heh ... You seem to enjoy getting in my way, don't you? I knew I should've disposed you a long time ago. Weakling." His voice was cold and piercing like when he left her years ago. The same smile was plastered on his face that made her knees wobble. She needed to grab hold of something to prevent her from falling. She reached out her hand and grabbed the figure nearest to her.

"Oi China, don't cling on to me. You're hindering my movements." He deadpanned. She didn't remove it but instead, she held tighter onto his clothes. He could hear her mumble some words but weren't loud enough for him to understand.

"Kagura! Oi hang in there!" Gintoki worriedly ran to his daughter but Takasugi stopped him. The loud clash of swords echoed all over the palace. "Takasugi...!" The violet haired man chuckled.

"We can't have you ruining a reunion can't we?" Abuto entered the scene, killing a lot of Shinsengumi members.

"Reunion...?" The Shinsengumi trio repeated.

"Oi China, who the heck is this guy?"

KAGURA'S POV:

Why now? Why do I have to see his stupid face now? This was supposed to be a happy day and yet ...

I feel the hot tears on my cheeks just like when he first left. I could only stand and watch his retreating back. I could feel the same hot liquid streaming down from my eyes. The cold and wet weather ... It reminded me of him uttering the words I don't have use for weaklings then leaving me. Despite having no one else to rely on, no mother nor father, he left me ... And then he suddenly shows up and ruin everything, hurt everyone.

"Kamui! I'll kill you! I'll definitely kill you!" My voice feels like it's blocked. My knees feel like they can't continue any further. After this I'll definitely thank the sadist.

"Can you really kill me? In that state, can you even do anything?" He chuckled. I really hate that attitude of his. Smiling even though nothing's worth smiling, laughing even though nothing's funny. But he's right. I can't do anything. Not in my current state. "You're disgusting to even look at. Throwing your pride as Yato to save this pitiful race, humans, you call your friends. I can't help but feel pity ... So much pity that killing you is the only way to get it out of my head." Crap. I'm so scared. I didn't want this. I wanted a happy future, a happy family ... And yet! I don't want any-

"Calling China disgusting, I can quite agree with you on that, but calling us a pitiful race? You should have known better. Come. I, Captain of the first squad: Okita Sougo, shall be your opponent. Spill your guts as you die."

"S-sadist...!"

"Shut up China, and remove your hand from my jacket! How can I fight with you clinging on like that?! Idiot."

"Thank you ..." I couldn't control it anymore. I'm so happy that everyone is fighting along my side.

"I-It's not like I was fighting for you!" I know ... but still I want to thank you ... even if just this once, allow me to show how I really feel.

"I know ... but still-"

"China, after this you'll be my slave forever."

"What are you-"

"You even wore the bracelet your Master gave you, how sweet."

"Shut up!" Bang! A direct hit at his side. This idiot ... even though I was nice to him ...

"That's the China I know." Eh? "Don't suddenly go out of character just because a new character appears." Sadist ...

"I was right all along ..." I couldn't help but smile ... I was right after all!

"What are you talking about?"

"S-E-C-R-E-T! Not telling!"

"Whatever. Listen, I don't know how the hell you're acquainted with that bastard over there, but anyone who makes my China cry will die. I should be the only one that makes you cry or hurt you and nobody else!" Idiot sadist! Why does everything he says make my heart beat so fast? But I'm still thankful to have met him.

"Oi Admiral Nincompoop! I found the guy."

"Let me go! Kagura-chan! Gin-san!" Sh-Shinpachi! They got Shinpachi!

"Patsuan!" Those bastards ... I'll never forgive them!

"Heh ... Are you sure this is the guy that made her berserk the last time?" What? They're using Shinpachi against me...?

"The last time I fought that monster, 'twas when I almost killed this guy... Though it was pretty risky. I have to tell you, she's a real fighter! Must've got it from her father, no her brother...?"

"What are you ... Let go of Shinpachi! Or I'll definitely kill you!" Those bastards ...

"Heh ... Like this?" He throws Shinpachi in the air then punches his stomach ... Shinpachi is coughing blood ... No, no, no, no ... NO!

Do you want to be stronger...?

Do you wish to have power...?

Do you want to save your friends...?