By My Side Forever
Chapter 2
Loveless
Authors Note: Sorry to disappoint, but there won't be any lemons in this chapter. I got a little carried out with the pre-wedding bit and after it was all done, I realized this chapter already had too much happening in it. The next chapter will definitely have the lemon, and probably only that. So if there are some who do not favour sexual themes can skip that chapter altogether. However, it won't be a pointless lemon and will have a few moments which I will be using later in the chapters.
This chapter is dedicated to to all the lovely people who took the time to review my story: midnight blue 08, sisana, danna, Estranged Being, Magnoliakaki, & sallybrown88. I'm not as enthusiastic about Gintama as I was in the beginning, so your reviews are a major motivation for me to continue. I had this ready a month ago but was hesitant to upload it since I still do not have a beta yet. Hopefully you will like the content of this chapter and overlook the errors :) There are a few time skips in this chapter but hopefully it is not confusing, they would only be a day or a few hours and minutess of skips.
"How about this one", Kagura heard Otae asking for what was probably the fiftieth time, with a humorous twist to her mouth too. Kagura sighed tiredly, wrinkled her nose and shook her head, declining the suggestion of wearing hot pink kimono on her wedding day. Otae laughed at her reaction and went back to searching for something more…white.
They were at their sixth shop of the day, flipping through a bundle of kimono's befitting a bride. Kagura had picked at least one kimono at every shop, but Otae had simply put the gown down to one of the many choices she would be selecting from after they have gone through all the available dress stores around the city. After just an hour of being dragged around, Kagura had realized she'd rather be slicing through vicious and disgusting aliens than shopping for a special outfit with anego. The only shopping she had ever done was of her undergarments, and of long pieces fabrics which were then given to the seamstress to be sewn into her favourite cheongsam patterned dresses. She had outgrown her red dress long ago having grown in not only height but also around her upper body and hips. Kagura of course had a red one sewn again, in addition to eight more dresses of different colours. The last time she had actually come to the city to buy clothes was almost a year ago. And now...
"Aaaanegoooh", Kagura whined. "Are we done yet"? They had been shopping for hours and even sacrificed having lunch, a first for Kagura. "We've already picked so many, it would just be harder for me to pick the best out of the best later", she reasoned. "How about we have something to eat first before continuing, huh", Kagura asked temptingly with a bright smile on her face.
"Kagura chan", Otae intoned in a calm but deadly tone, "a young bride-to-be should be more enthusiastic about shopping for her wedding gowns".
"I was, just before it was time for lunch", Kagura said, pouting too.
Otae gasped audibly and threw Kaguras umbrella at her. "What are you doing thinking about food. A lady ready to be wed in two days is only allowed to be nervous, not hungry", Otae said. 'It looks like anego is speaking from experience' thought Kagura as she watched anego's face twist into an expression which spoke of a frightful event in the past. Kagura never would have thought that out of the two, Kondo niisan and anego, she would be the nervous one.
"I don't feel like a lady when you treat me like that, anego".
"Urusai", Otae said irritably.
"Eh...", sighing, Kagura gave up. "Gomen nasai", she said quietly.
"Kagura", Otae placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, her irritation replaced with warm affection. "gomen nah, I think I'm overdoing it. I understand how trying the past few days have been for you. I'm just so very happy about this, about Gin san and you. Both of you should have nothing short of perfect on your special day, and that's what we all are planning to give you and Gintoki san".
Of course, 'we' meant everyone; Hasegawa, Katsura, Sakamoto, the Shinsengumi squad, Otose, Matsu, Elizabeth, Catherine (who had married one of the customers frequenting the shop two years ago). Gintoki's friends were 'extremely' happy to have him married off, the change of pace in his life would do him good, they believed. So, yes! They were all very, very excited about the wedding which they believed was not only happening because of the laws but also (and largely) due to love. Surprisingly everyone, except the knowing Shinpachi of course, had completely accepted their little 'story'.
(FLASHBACK)
"What are we going to tell everyone", a tired feminine voice asked from the opposite corner of the couch.
They had just come back from the ministry, and had finalized all the details of their marriage. The officials were real dickheads, carrying out a detailed interview regarding their relationship. Gin had suggested they tell the officials they were already engaged months prior, which also meant they were to pretend to be in love. It was easy to convince them; after all, everyone knew humans were not generous enough to commit to such a definite contract just so an Amanto would be allowed to stay back. Said contract would be signed on the day of the marriage and before the traditional rituals. They would both be on a probationary stage for an indefinite time, and until the officials had enough time to gauge their sincerity towards the union. The only consolation came from the fact that they would not be obliged to produce a child during a given timeframe; however, consummation of the marriage was compulsory. The bastards had gone so far as to say they would find out whether that part of the contract had been fulfilled or not. That particular comment had been followed by a heated argument between Gin and the interviewers; he did not like the possibility of being spied on their wedding night.
Gintoki's argument however was unnecessary as the officials had later given assurance that although they would be investigated in regards to 'that' issue, spying was not an option. They had explained about a metallic chip that would be placed in them to monitor their movements, and this would also let them know of the 'happenings' of their wedding and the night. The chip would be removed three days after the wedding.
Bloody Amanto's and their advance technologies!
"The same thing we told the government dogs", replied Gin as he rested his head back on the couch.
"Do we have to lie to them as well", Kagura asked as she looked at his profile. "And won't they know the real reason we're doing this".
"Then we'll just have to convince them it's true".
"Why? They've known us for so long, they won't buy it". While people, their friends especially, could guess at what her feelings for Gin were, everyone knew how he was when it came to the opposite sex. No one had ever seen him become seriously attracted to any girl ever since they've known him.
"You heard the officials, right", Gin said. "They would investigate, and I'm not going to take any chances at having them find out the bluff. As for the gang, if we tell them we were secretly together or engaged, they may have doubts but there won't be any way for them to be sure we weren't together before this". He was right. "We'll tell them we weren't sure how they would react to our relationship so we stayed the announcement. Telling them we are getting married because of love would reduce the risk of the dogs having to sniff out the truth from an unchecked source. The lesser the people knowing, the better".
"Not Shinpachi", Kagura said decisively.
"No", Gin replied as he turned to look at her with a slight tilt to his lips. "We won't hide anything from Shinpachi. He'd probably be the only one knowing what we are doing, though".
She rested her head on the couch and closed her eyes, thinking of everything that has happened, and will happen in the coming days. The companionable silence lasted for a couple more minutes before Gin spoke.
"Kagura"? She could feel he was looking at her but she did not open her eyes.
"Hmm"?
"Things are moving really fast, and I know you want to stay here but…" Kagura's eyes snapped open, she wondered if he was going to tell her he didn't really want this. "Will you be alright with being my wife", Gin asked in a flat tone.
"Huh", Kagura asked, as she turned to look at his blank crimson orbs.
"It would be a real marriage", he said, throwing her own words of the previous night at her. "We would of course take the changes slowly, but we'd still have to share the marriage bed, at least for the first night. Will you be okay with an intimate relationship with me; I wouldn't want you to resent me or regret it later". He spoke so clinically that she did not feel the slightest bit of discomfort at discussing the aspect of sex with him, but she still could not stop the blush to bloom on her cheeks (another mysterious and new experience for her).
She gave a short laugh, thinking of the peculiarity of their situation. "I don't really know what all an intimate relationship with a man entails, Gin san", she spoke quietly. Hell, she didn't even know what kissing a man was like. "But…" she paused as she debated on how to tell him she was not opposed to it-at all. "I'm…curious to know what…what it would…be like". She was definitely NOT looking at him whilst she said those bold words. It was truly amazing how much she had changed since she had discovered her feelings for him. Her heart had never altered its beat to such rapid rate in such short time before; she had never blushed for anyone before; never felt her stomach clench; and never realized how sensitive some parts of her body were until the urge to touch and feel him had gotten to her.
So yes, she was curious. She was curious to know what else she would feel if they would get as close as it was physically possible for two people. If seeing him in a towel had triggered her dormant desires to awaken, she could only speculate at what all being that close to him would make her feel. Excitement would probably play a big role, seeing as how, again, her heartbeat had gone up and her stomach was trying to do flips just thinking about it.
Gin chuckled softly at her. "For just this once, I'll take that curiosity of yours as a good thing". The joke lightened the atmosphere for Kagura immensely, enough to make her smile, but it was directed at the wall opposite her. "And, I'd rather have you feeling curious than repulsed, or scared even", he said in an amused tone.
What? Did he really think she would be 'repulsed'? On the contrary, her feelings were bordering on the extreme opposite of repulsion. It must have been an instinctive call to reassure him she wasn't in the least bit opposed to having a more physical relationship with him. That would be the only explanation Kagura would come up with (much, much later) to why, now, she found herself leaning towards Gintoki and placing her lips on his cheeks. Kagura hadn't even realized when she had moved, and only came to when she felt Gin clench his jaws stiff under her lips at the unexpected contact.
Both their eyes widened perceptibly before she realized her mistake, and latched off him as if scalded. Gin slowly turned his head to meet her wide, flabbergasted sapphire orbs with his own inquiring ones. 'Oh no…Oh kami oh kami oh kami. What have I done'? "I…I wah…I…". Dammit. "Gooh…Goodnight, Gin san", Kagura exclaimed as she quickly got off the couch to either go hide in the closet or burrow her head in Sadaharu's fur.
'It's okay. It's all okay', Kagura assure herself. 'That was how a lot of people wished each other goodnights, right? There was nothing bad, or what anego would say 'inappropriate,' in that right?'
Except…
"Kagura", Gin called, making her freeze mid way to the currently cramped Sadaharu inside the closet. She stopped but did not turn around even as she felt him come to stand right behind her. Her heartbeat switching to a million beats per second in an instant as Kagura felt Gin wrap his hands around her upper arms and pulled her to him. She gasped when she felt Gin's chest on her back as he brought her closer still. Kagura stopped breathing completely when Gin lightly pressed his lips on the crown of her head to mimic a soft, affectionate kiss. "It's only four in the afternoon", he whispered into her hair before letting her go and walked away without looking back, sniggering all the way.
Gin's works finally registered when she heard the snap of the shoji door closing behind him. "I knew that", she hollered out loud enough for him to hear outside.
"Hai, Hai", she heard him respond
"I was just testing yo…your…your alertness", she yelled out. But all she got in response was a single bark of laughter before all went quiet in the house. "Ahh-mou".
(Flashback End)
Kagura's face burned at remembering that embarrassing afternoon again, and the oh so innocent kiss Gin had given her. That was her first and last kiss (if that was even considered a kiss), Gin had not done anything else to initiate any intimate contact between them since then, and she was left feeling slightly disappointed even though she had known not to expect too much after that. He probably wanted to make her feel better knowing how she had acted completely on impulse when she had kissed him and was embarrassed about it.
"Ara, Kagura chan. Are you feeling okay", Otae asked her. "Your face is all pink. You must really be hungry, neh", she stated rather guiltily. "Alright! Let's make this the last stop and you can pick which ever kimono you like best". Kagura nodded enthusiastically at her before they got down to deciding which of the gowns they would buy.
After an hour and a half (and in between twenty dango sticks), they had finished all their shopping. Both were now making their way back to Shinpachi's home, hands laden with bags containing the beautiful white wedding kimono, hair ornaments, tabi, and even new pair of panties and breast binds.
Otae had also bought a very feminine silk yukata as a present for Kagura to wear on her wedding night. A good thing too, she had forgotten she'd need clothes on her wedding night and instead, was more concerned about what they would be doing on that night. So concerned, she had raided Gintoki's bedroom and storage cupboard to find 'certain' reading materials that would give her at least some idea of what to expect on their wedding night, obviously when both Gin and Shinpachi were not at home. Kagura had gotten lucky while digging through a box of old manga issues. The erotic books and magazines, though old, were still very, very…informative, enlightening and seemingly useful. Her face had reminded shaded in pink the whole day, and she had refused to meet Gin's eyes that night.
Kagura heard Otae sigh loudly as the 'Koudouji Dojo' came into view. "Finally. I'm so tired". Kagura scowled at the woman beside her. 'She was tired eh'?
They heard voices as they neared, already knowing the place must be crowded with customers. Otae and Shinpachi had eventually decided to convert the unused dojo into a tea-house following Kondo san suggestion. Neither brother nor husband was in favour of her working at the host club, and because the dojo would probably never be used for its intended purpose again, Kondo san had helpedstart the tea shop, named after the original dojo.
Kagura was to stay here until the wedding day, and Otae had decided to take the guardian's role and stay with her, much to Kondo's displeasure. She still remembered how he had whined pathetically about the lonely nights without Otae. Shinpachi had also been kicked out and made to lodge with Gintoki till the wedding.
Only a day away and Kagura already missed their cosy little abode. The Yorozuya had also undergone changes infrastructure-wise, as well, when Otose san had moved her shop to a more central location in the district; though, she still lived in the house behind the Yorozuyu. With the success of their business, they were able to rent the whole building and transfer their office to the first floor, leaving the second floor for their personal use only. The second floor was remodelled to contain two rooms instead of one, and Kagura had finally gotten her own room, albeit the smaller of the two (much to her chagrin). Shinpachi, even though continued working with them, had moved to his own home fulltime after his sister's marriage. Their apartment was now basically just Gin's and hers, and Sadaharu's.
Besides her 'budding' feelings for Gin, everything else around them had actually gotten quite settled and stable, including a steady follow of well-paid jobs. Although Kagura craved for a closer relationship with Gin, she still hoped not much would change after their marriage.
:::::
"KAGURAAAAA CHAAAAAAN". Otae's screeching could wake the dead, Kagura was nothing compared even if she slept like the dead. "WAKE UUUUP, Kagura chan", she heard her calling again before the warm and comforting blanket was ripped from her body, leaving Kagura shivering feeling the early morning chill. 'Kami. What time was it'? "Wake up, the day is finally here Kagura chan. We have so much to do".
"Fiphe mo miphs", Kagura moaned from under the pillow. A thoroughly painful smack on her butt had Kagura snapping to a sitting position within seconds. "Owww. Alright, alright I'm up", she said as she wiped the sleep off her eyes. When her vision became more focused she wanted to hurl her umbrella, with all her might, at Otae. "Ah-mou, the sun isn't even out yet", she whined.
"The sun isn't the one getting married today, Kagura chan", she heard a raspy, sarcastic voice speak. 'Oh no, was that…'. Sure enough, when she looked around the room she spotted Otose san, and Catherine, and Sa-chan, and Terakado san, and of course, anego. 'Kami. All these women in one room'?
"Otose san, don't even think about lighting that pipe", Otae warned. "We don't want Kagura chan smelling like you on her wedding day".
"Che", Otose intoned, not at all offended. She did however put the pipe back into her sleeve for the time being.
"What is everyone doing so early"?
"Kagura chan", Ayame called as she stretched a rope between her hands while walking towards a waking Kagura. "I'll help you get up if you are having trouble doing so". The spanking was enough to wake her up and Ayame's intentions had Kagura scrambling off the futon and moving far, far away from her.
"Put that away Ayame, we won't need that for the time being, right Kagura chan"?
"H…hai". Her Yato blood ensured her resistance to fear of any sort on her wellbeing. Kagura was, however, afraid of hurting her friends and family unintentionally because she knew she was capable of doing so. That was the only reason she had gotten so timid when around these people.
"Come on then, Kagura chan. We have already prepared your bath", Otae said as she dragged Kagura towards the bathhouse. "I'll help you with that while the ladies here get everything else ready, neh".
She was not prepared for the type of bath Otae had prepared for her.
"Nah…NAN JA KORE YA", Kagura yelled as she eyed the mud bath before her, and at the same time moving into a defensive stance. Otae smacked her on the head, warning her about using un-lady-like words. "Demo, this is mud, MUD? Why do I have to bathe in 'that'"?
"For your skin, silly girl", Otae replied imperturbably. "It's only going to be for twenty minutes, and then we'll follow it with an aromatic bath. Now, take your clothes off and get in before I use 'gentle persuasion'".
'Oh well, might as well let anego do what she wants. After all, what would I know about these human customs'?
Kagura slid her sleeping yukata off and hesitantly placed the tips of her toes into the shit-like substance she'd be submersed in. While she may have been slaying more and more aliens nowadays and absolutely relished the experience, she did not appreciate being covered in gooey stuff from head to toe after the fight; no matter how unaffected she may have pretended to be.
"Oh my, Kagura chan", she heard Otae gasp surprised, "You...um…uh, don't have any hair on your...uh…body". Was she supposed to have hair anywhere else besides her head? She had heard Gin talk about men having hair in other 'places' but she had thought it was only a male thing and that females were different. "Isn't it the same for you", Kagura asked curiously (Nudity was not an issue with dear Kagura chan. At least, not around other females).
"Uh…no. I suppose it's a Yato trait, neh", Otae replied with a light blush. "Your skin is so pretty", Otae said enviously (but not resentfully) as she touched Kagura's shoulder blades. Kagura probably didn't even need this bath, thought Otae.
"You think so", Kagura asked as she did a self-inspection. "I have never thought of it before. Do h…umm…people usually look at these things"? Kagura asked in a curious tone as she continued her inspection. She really had never given much thought to her appearance. Even though she was aware of some human women's near obsession to looking beautiful, she was still trying to figure out the logic in that. "Would…Gi..um", a cautious tinge to her voice, "Do…man notice a woman's physical appearance to that extend", Kagura asked as she thought of Gin. It was surely possible for males to have similar feelings that had bloomed in her when she had started getting attracted to him. She had never noticed his attention to 'that' detail before, most probably because he had never given any in the first place. What if he did not like her outward appearance?
"That insensitive bastard", Otae muttered quietly. "Hasn't Gin san ever told you how beautiful you look, Kagura chan"? Seeing the tensed look in her clear blue eyes, Otae, herself, became slightly upset. "Kagura chan, have Gin san and you…uhmm…done 'it' yet", Otae asked in a concerned tone. Kagura knew what she was talking about, and if the words weren't clear enough Otae's hand gestures were quite obvious. She decided to just shake her heard in the negative. "Yare, yare. I didn't think Gintoki Sakata would be 'that' honourable towards his own fiancée". Otae chuckled softly as she mused on their situation while Kagura finally let herself settle into the tub. "It must have been really hard for him to control his…uh…needs, especially since the two of you are living under the same roof. My anata can't even go without 'that' for a day", Otae stated tiredly but fondly.
"That"?
"Yes, 'that'", Otae eyed Kagura wearily, as if she had just realized something. "I knew it", she declared after a moment, "Those two idiots were too protective of you, weren't they? Oh well, you will soon learn 'the language of a woman', Kagura chan. For now, just enjoy your bath".
:::::
"Minna, ha-yaku, we only have an hour left", Otose rasped out from the corner of the room as everyone else, except Kagura, bustled around to dress Kagura up.
"Otose san, do you have to remind me", Kagura asked nervously. Kami, it was finally setting in. "And we have two hours, not one". She had been trying, and succeeding, to keep from thinking too much about today to stop herself from worrying. After the day they had met the officials, Kagura had blocked out her marriage issue almost completely. But while she was having a bath (and supposedly relaxing), everything hit home and now she was as humanly nervous as a Yato could possibly be. To top that, Otose san was self-appointed as the 'countdown master'. "Terakado chan, keep that white powder away, please. I don't want any make-up". It was hard to protest about what these women were doing to her while she was tied to a chair wearing nothing but her panties and breast-binds.
"Oh, look at her, She is positively suffering", Ayame chimed, in a mixture of glee and anticipation. Yes, Ayame had actually gotten the chance to use her ropes.
"What are you so happy about", yelled Kagura as she tried to wipe off her sweaty palms. 'That sadistic cow'!
"She's right about the white paint. Her skin's already pale enough without it. But Kagura, you still need just a touch of colour on your face".
And so they continued with their task of face 'colouring', before the kimono would finally be worn. She wondered what Gin would look like as a groom today, and whether he was subjected to the same thing she was.
Half an hour later, they had finally started dressing her into the wedding gown. She still had not seen the condition her face was in after nearly everyone, except Otose, had a go at it. 'Don't be impatient' they had said. Like hell!
She Was Getting MARRIED In Less Than Two Hours. To GINTOKI SAKATA!
'Papi…Mami'.
Kagura had never, ever met a Yato that had been as nervous as she was at the moment. 'Shame, shame Kagura. What would papi say to all this'. She hoped there was a way to contact her father and tell him about her impending marriage to Gin, and to get him to attend. But, somehow, she knew he would have approved...eventually.
"Yatta...We're done, minna", Tekakado screamed. "Oh my, look-at-herrrrh. I'm so proud of myself". Kagura was being directed towards the full-length mirror as everyone else shared the same sentiment...about themselves. "Here we are Kagura chan", she invited, as Kagura was made to stand in front of the mirror.
Kagura gasped when she finally saw the woman in the mirror. A Woman? Gone were the childlike features she hadn't even known she had long past grown out off until now. The enhanced blackened outline of her eyes brought out their allurement which even she could not overlook; her cheeks were covered in a light pink hue for definition; and her lips were painted into a darker shade of pink that brought out their fullness intended to draw attention instantly.
And she was ready to ignore the difficulty and unfamiliarity of wearing the kimono after seeing how utterly graceful and beautiful it made her. Never before had she noticed or thought of her looks as she did now. 'Would he at least want me just a little bit now, and would he feel at least the tiniest bit of the immense longing I have for him'. Kagura sure hoped so.
"Are all Yato brides 'this' beautiful Kagura chan"?
"I had never thought you could get anymore prettier than you already were", someone stated, but all she could think about was if Gin would also think of her the same way.
Since she had refused to wear the dreaded hood, a transparent veil was placed over her hair that was piled at the back of her head and held in place with numerous stylish kanzashi matching the kimono. All the layers of the kimono were white, but each was bordered with different colours and patterned with cherry blossoms. Even though the gown was quite thick around her body, she was very comfortable walking in it. The last thing she wanted was to trip all over herself in her own clothes.
"Let's see Gin san control himself today", Otae whispered into her ears. Kagura mentally sighed. Although they all concurred her beauty, she still felt vaguely incomplete and unsatisfied. She wanted to know what Gin would say, think and do; would it make any difference to him. Her knowledge on what Gin thought of women was seriously lacking. Was he the type of male that was attracted to a beautiful face? If so, and if everyone here thought she was beautiful, why then hadn't Ginshown any interest in her before? Was it because she wasn't pretty enough?
"Kagura chan, what's the matter", Otae asked as she saw the sombre look on Kagura's face. "Do you need something; don't you like what we did"?
Kagura quickly snapped to the present having heard the unsure tone, and seeing the slightly disappointed looks in their faces. "Gomen, gomen", she apologized heartily, and smiled even more convincingly. She had learnt so much from these kind-hearted human women, and the last thing she wanted to do was hurt their feelings. "I'm just nervous", she tried to explain. It seemed to have been the right thing to say for Otae had quickly pulled her into light embrace, mindful of her clothes, to soothe her.
"Oh, I know exactly how you feel. But don't worry, Kagura chan", Otae said calmingly. "Just think of the wonderful man you are going to be spending the rest of your life with, how much he loves you-". Kagura just nodded at appropriate intervals as Otae continued to croon dreamily, she pretended to hear the words which seemed to do nothing but mock her.
"Oi Otae, urusai yo", Otose intoned irritated. "My sugar will rise just hearing your disgustingly sappy words".
"Nani", countered Otae as she raised a fist in the air directed at the disinterested woman "Teme".
Kagura watched as the woman continued to bicker while rushing to get dressed for the wedding themselves. If it weren't for the fact that she was marrying a man who did not love her, she would have thoroughly enjoyed all that was going around her. This whole experience was very entertaining and so new. She would have had fun if it weren't for the fact that because of her, a man was scarifying so much; something he wouldn't have done had a law not been placed. As she waited, she wondered if Gin was probably regretting his decision, and if not now then, would he-later.
:::::
If she hadn't known what people meant with 'your heart beating like a wild caged bird' before, Kagura definitely knew now. They were only minutes away from the wedding ceremony and waiting at one of the shrine rooms beside the one where the wedding was to be held.
"Can we come in, anewe", she heard Shinpachi asking permission to enter. That meant…
"Oh, your groom's here, Kagura chan", Otae beamed. "Haaaai, Shinpachi kun…but only if you have Gin san with you". Kagura held her breath as she watched the door open inch by inch, waiting for him to step in.
Her eyes first landed on his white socked feet before rising to the wide hakama of his black traditional kimono. She wanted to stall looking at him but knew he was waiting for her. If she didn't know better, by the time her eyes clashed into his, she would have thought her heart was ready to burst through. Gin's normally dead eyes had widened perceptibly with an unidentified emotion as they zeroed in on her face. However, it only lasted a second before Shinpachi jumped in front of her completely blocking Gin out.
"Kah...Kagura chan", stuttered Shinpachi as he gawked at the bride. The next instant, he found himself plastered on the wall to his right, nearly embedded in it.
"Shinpachi kun, you're in the way. Let Gin san look at his bride", Otae stated calmly after retracting the leg she had used to kick him away.
Kagura turned her eyes from Shinpachi back to her soon-to-be husband. Gin, by then, was back to being his usual carefree self while still looking at her. When he directed a small grin in her direction, Kagura let out a breath she did not know she was holding. "Oi oi, Kagura", he said as he shook his head from side to side, "have mercy, neh. I plan on spending the rest of my 'very long' life with you, don't shock me like that", he stated, 'not so subtly' saying she looked good.
Kagura could not stop her lips from twitching, or ignore the warmth that spread through her at his efforts to compliment her. She knew it was mostly for the benefit of everyone in the room with them, but she would rather have him teasing her than her seeing a look of regret in his eyes. And she was so very relieved to see there was none of the regret or hesitation, which was probably one of the main reasons for her nervousness today. "Gomen", she whispered back with a small smirk. "I'll remember to cover myself from head to toe, next time".
"There won't be a 'next time'", Gin said in mock seriousness. "So, you ready to finally acquire a surname", he asked as he approached her. She scowled, he ignored. "We will have to sign the contract here before going out". Not until he had said that did she notice a portly old man standing behind Gin. The officer here to witness the married, she presumed.
Kagura would have gone back to being nervous if she hadn't seen the confidence and sureness in Gin. His sacrifice was a heavy burden she'd be carrying for a long time, but if he was getting into this with such conviction then she would make sure he never regrets. She would also try to make him love her. If not as much as she did, then just a little love, as a man would a woman.
It took at least twenty minutes to sign the certificate, and get 'tagged'. Then, another ten minutes to start the marriage procession to the shrine hall where the wedding would take place.
Kagura was in a daze since signing the papers, and felt like she was a wind breezing through everything that was occurring. Before she knew it, they had walked past all those invited and were standing in front of the priest who was already reciting the wedding vows. She surprised herself at discovering how her mind, at such a momentous occasion, could only draw blanks and be aware of only one out of everyone present.
Gin.
She didn't even know what the priest was saying, her attention drawn to the man beside her as he drank the first cup of sake. Kagura took all her cues from his movements only.
:::::
"Mataku", she heard her husband sigh out for the umpteenth time.
Husband!
Kagura didn't feel any different even hours after all the rituals of their marriage were complete, besides the reception. Gin was his usual nonchalant, if not a little irritated, self. And they were all currently in a gazebo at the hot spring hotel the bride and groom would be spending the night in. She had loosened up quite a bit after being fed numerous cups of sake by Ane and Mone, and had only stopped when Gin had threatened to end the party if they forced either of them to drink any more. It felt like any other gathering of friends who were just thoroughly enjoying themselves for no particular reason.
Kagura blinked rapidly as she saw a completely smashed Katsura make a zigzag swagger to Gin's side. "Ginnoki", he slurred, "omemepo". He had actually meant 'omedeto'.
Gin leaned towards Kagura while trying to push Katsura off of him. "Hai-hai, Zura".
"Zura ja nai. Kakura…Kakaru", Katsura fumed as he tried to aim for Gin's head but ended up hitting thin air and landed on his face.
"Wakata, 'Kakura'", Gin obliged flatly.
"Oi, Katsura…don't hurt Kintoki's 'head', he'll need it tonight….ahahaha", Sakamoto stated lewdly. The double entendre was lost on Kagura but Gin knew exactly what he was referring to. With the swiftness that came with any sober samurai, Gin aimed his bokken straight at Sakamoto's fringed forehead, knocking him out for the night. Gin then stepped on Katsura's back and walked towards Sakamoto to retrieve his sword, 'accidently' kicking Sakamoto in the groin. He twitched on the floor a moment before going still.
"Oi Ginshoki", called out another slurred voice. "Keep your 'wood' to yourshelf". Hasegawa went down just like Sakamoto.
"Gin san", Kagura intoned curiously. Sadaharu lay at her side, nibbling on some food while Shinpachi lay beside him sleeping the alcohol off.
"They've had too much, I'm just putting them to sleep…quicker", Gin replied tonelessly.
"Ginnok", Katsura called out from the floor, "are you and Kagura chan going to 'nyah nyah' ton—", before he could finished, Gin had smacked his head with the sword.
"Oooii, Hanano san", Gin shouted. "Katsura's saying dirty things again". Katsura's woman came and dragged him by his hair. 'itaiiii itai itai, onna dono' was heard all the way to the door.
"That's a quick way to get rid of your guests, Gintoki", intoned Otose.
"Urusai", Gin barked out.
"What's the rush", asked Catharine with a perverse twinkle in her eyes.
"I know your pain, brother", intercepted Kondo.
"Ahh...I give up", Gin said tiredly.
"Nooo, you can't give it up. You still have to get it up", Kondo explained worriedly, completely misunderstanding everything in his intoxicated mind. "Itoshiiii", he screamed for his wife who was sitting right beside him. "oowww".
"Kagura chan, we should get you to your room now", Otae suggested, completely ignoring her bleeding husband.
Both Gin and Kagura tensed, knowing what Otae meant. Stilling her nerves, Kagura got up from her seat. She tried to look at Gin when he helped her up but found it an impossible feat now, her earlier nervousness returning. She excused herself from her guests and followed Otae into the hotel.
Hope you liked this chapter. I'm not good at writing dialogues between people so hopefully it wasn't that shitty here :(
As always, reviews are very much appreciated, and awaited. So give plenty of reviews so I can complete the next lemon chapter quick ;)
Next Chapter Title: For Tonight, Let's Pretend...
Disclaimer: Gintama and all its characters belong to Hideaki Sorachi