Here beside You

Prologue (part two)

A week has passed since Kagura saw that event. Those scenes continued to haunt her in her dreams and invade her peaceful life. As if 'he' wouldn't allow her to be happy and be living quietly after everything that happened. Even so, she didn't want others to get worried over her. She would just put her façade - a sweet and warm smile – whenever someone gets worried, especially her anego.

She was busily walking in the streets of Kabuki-cho and humming happily (it was only a fake though) and went straight to the shop where she usually buys her favorite sukonbu.

"Obaa-san! 30 packs of sukonbu!" she requested.

"Hai hai." Said the old shopkeeper, who was busy searching for her regular customer's sukonbu. "Here 'ya go, Kagura-chan!"

Kagura immediately grabbed the packs of her favorite snacks from the old lady's hands and bid her good-bye. She opened a pack and ate it. She continued eating and eating until she reached the park, where she usually stayed and lazed off in the past. She went to her favorite bench in that park and continued eating her snacks when suddenly-

*BOOM*

A sudden explosion came. If it was not for her fast reflexes and good senses, she would have died. With that, she already knew who the perpetrator was. It was 'him'

"Huh? No blood? I guess little China here managed to avoid my attack…tch" and again, the certain Sadist aimed his bazooka at the little Yato girl.

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK ARE YOU DOING, YOU SADIST BASTARD?!" Kagura angrily protested.

"Trying to kill a certain illegal immigrant who's currently busy with her favorite snack" he said in his usual deadpan look and monotonous voice.

"I'm not in the mood so fuck off" Kagura said casually, trying to keep her cool.

Acting as if nothing happened, Kagura walked out of the place. She really wanted to kill that bastard there or humiliate him, but she was really not in the mood. She don't know whether she was just under the weather or it's because she's currently grieving for someone else. Instead of her red duangua, she was wearing black one. She did it out of respect for her surrogate father during her stay in earth. She suddenly stopped walking, remembering the moments with her beloved Gin-chan.

'Oi Kagura! Hand me a parfait' 'OI WHO DRANK MY PRECIOUS STRAWBERRY MILK?!' 'Kagura! Hurry up! JUMP IS ON SALE TODAY!' and lastly… 'Kagura…that's enough. You…already did…much'

Remembering her precious Gin-chan's voice and the days they spent together almost made her cry. She wanted to see him again and wanted to hear his nagging voice…but then again, it's impossible. 'Gin-chan…' she called and tears almost fell from her eyes when a certain sadist ruined the mood. AGAIN.

"China…are you crying? Pfft, how weak" he teased as he looked at the pitiful girl

"SHUT UP! What do you even know, you stupid Sadist?! Can you even read the atmosphere?!" she shouted.

"Stop it, China." He said in his usual voice, but his face...was somewhat filled with grief. "Do you think he…Danna, would be happy if he saw you like this?"

Surprised, Kagura looked at him (still pissed though). She didn't expect him to have that kind of face and to be a little…caring? She somehow felt a little happy and a portion of the burden on her shoulders was lifted from her.

Quickly, she used this chance and kicked him in the stomach and made him moan out of pain. The impact made the policeman kneel and he glared at the infuriating China girl in front of him.

"Teme…what do you think are you doing?!" he screamed.

"It's your fault for letting your guard down, Sadist." Kagura said, while grinning at him.

"Heh, so you're up again to your game huh…"

"Who do you think I am?!"

And then they started to clash with each other. When one managed to hit the other, the latter will give a hit with the pain doubled. Their little brawl continued for hours and people who were passing by just ignored it, for they are already used to it. And finally, it ended. The sun was already setting the time their fight was finished. The outcome? Well, it was a tie. Kagura was lying down, almost unable to catch her breath and Sougo, barely kneeling down using his sword, was also out of breath.

"So…a draw, huh…" Sougo said, barely catching his breath

"Mmmm" that was the only reply Kagura was able to say, for she was so tired to speak.

"Ne, China…this might be…the last…y'know"

"Wh…what…do you…?"

"Marked as traitors…we're forced to…leave Edo" He said, finally able to regain his breathing.

Shocked by the news, Kagura forced herself to sit. She didn't know if she heard him right. Deep inside, she wished that she didn't heard him correctly.

"We'll leave early in the morning…I don't know when we're going back here though" He said in his monotonous voice while patting his head, removing unwanted dirt on it.

"What? So 'ya just came here for some cheesy goodbyes huh, Sadist." She said in her mocking voice.

Surprised, Sougo gave out a chuckle and said "Of course not. Did you think I'll give you a hug or a kiss? Don't make me laugh, China" he said while giving her his deadpan

"Shut up!" she retorted while raising her middle finger to him.

"I came here to make a promise." He said.

"Ohh so you fell for me, uh-huh!" She exclaimed.

"Baka!" he countered. "Promise me, China. Don't you ever-"

"Lose to anyone!" Kagura interrupted, not giving Sougo a chance to finish his sentence. Her voice was full of confidence, but she was still giving him a smug look on her face.

Not giving her a reply, Kagura took that as a yes and smiled. Sougo stood up while laughing at the pathetic China, who was still unable to get up. He gave her his one last look. A gentle smiling look which no one ever saw, except for his sister, Mitsuba.

"See you in five years, or maybe longer, Stupid-sukonbu-lover China" he said while waving his has to her.

Kagura didn't reply. She just sat there, watching the shadow of his rival slowly disappearing. When he was out of sight, Kagura gave a large sigh and when she already regained her strength, she saw at the bench. She looked up at the sky, where the moon shined brightly and gave out a soothing silver light which reminded her of Gin-chan. She was about to cry again when the sadist's words rang in her mind 'Do you think Danna would be happy if he saw you like this?'

"Fuck it." She said to herself, trying to refrain from crying. She continued to stare at the moon, not knowing that it was already very late at night. She was busy thinking about what she will do in the future. She killed her father, and lost her rival. And for her, she thinks that she lost her right to live at the Edo, or maybe the Earth.

"Okay. I've decided."

She quickly stood up and headed back at their home.

Kagura, age 14, decided at that time. She decided to leave the planet, for she has no right in living there anymore. Decided that she will never be happy, for it made her think that she was betraying the man she 'killed'. Decided to put an end to her easygoing life and live seriously starting that day. She decided to abandon her smile, for the sake of atoning for her sins.

Decided to throw away her humane emotions and hid her memories within her stay on earth, except for Gin-chan. That too, was for the sake of atoning for killing the silver light who gave everyone hope and happiness to everyone.

Prologue end