Chapter 2: Getting a Letter From a Deranged Psycho Isn't Usually a Good Thing; Especially When He Forces it on You

I suddenly felt a sword up my throat when a familiar voice said "Hello Gintoki, did you miss me?"

A chill ran up my spine. This voice, could it be?

"Takasugi" I snarled.

"So you recognize me, hmmm? I didn't know the great shiroyasha would be so easily sneaked up upon."

"What do you want? If it's a parfait I'm not giving it to you."

"Now Gintoki, is that a way to greet your old comrade?"

"I know you don't think of me as a comrade, so cut it out!"

"Fine, fine, here." Takasugi says as he hands me a piece of paper.

"If you don't accept, kiss your little workers goodbye."

Workers? What does he mean by that? And shouldn't the great villain in this show use more scary and threatening words than workers? I mean… oh god. A single thought struck me; Kagura and Shinpachi.

"Don't you dare touch them!" I growled.

"Don't worry, I won't… for now. But only if you accept." Takasugi answered.

He proceeded to remove his sword from my throat and bolted out the window. I grabbed my wooden sword and ran after him. But he was gone.

I sat back on my desk and read the paper Takasugi had given. What was that bastard up to now?

At exactly 1pm next Saturday, you will go to the Yoshiwara district. There I will be waiting for you. You will have a duel with a certain someone I have in mind. If you win I won't do anything to this place for a while. If you lose, you will face the consequences. And if you don't come; you know what will happen.

Takasugi~

After reading this letter I gulp. A duel? Why? With whom? What was Takasugi planning? What consequences? Why would he meet me in person anyway? Couldn't he just send one of his subordinates? Saturday? Today's Thursday. That's exactly 10 days from now. 10 days to prepare. But what do I prepare for if I don't know what I'm fighting against? What do I…

My thoughts were cut off as I heard the front door slide open.

"Gin-chan! We're back!"

"Gin-san! We brought groceries!"

I turned my head to the sound of the voices, immediately recognizing them as Kagura and Shinpachi.

"Did you bring my strawberry milk?"

"Yes Gin-san! But strawberry milk is not all we got. We need actual food you know. We bought enough to last for today and tomorrow."

"You bastard! Are you saying my strawberry milk isn't as important as the rest of our groceries?!"

"N-no I'm just.."

"Ooh, Megane is so biased -aru" Kagura said, shaking her head sympathetically.

"NO! I'm saying we bought other stuff too! Like rice, plums, eggs, cold cuts, cheese…

I drowned out Shinpachi's jabbering, replaying today's events in my head. I was utterly confused from this whole situation, but I did know one thing; I will protect Shinpachi and Kagura, even if I ended up dying from it.

End of Chapter 2

So... how'd you like it? The end's kinda corny, I know, but I like it. It's a bit longer than the previous chapter as you can see. The way this story went was not what I expected, but I still think it's ok. Please review and look forward to the next chapter!

Yami~