Saya: Yo'z! What's up? It's been a while since I've worked on this story. Sorry about that! It's because school got in the way, and I decided to use my vacation to entertain you, my dear readers, with constant updates! Hope you're willing to read it. Anyway, time for reading!

Young Gintoki: (Holds up a sign) Disclaimer: Saya does not own this series, or nor its characters. It's owned by Hideaki Sorachi-sensei.

Saya: Aw! (Hugs Gin) How cute!

Gin: (Holds up another sign) Help!

Day 12

It's been ten days since Sakamoto's departure, and little Gintoki has been adapting to life of temple school. Some of the boys avoided him because he couldn't speak, but nonetheless, Katsura and Takasugi accompanied him. The trio were down by the lake, dipping their feet into the cool water.

"I wonder how Saka-baka is doing." Katsura moved his legs, creating small ripples in the pond. "It's weird not hearing his stupid laughter every day."

"I think it's wonderful," Takasugi said, laying down on the grass. Smirking, he said, "We have more space in our room right?"

"That's true," Katsura said, looking at him annoyedly. Then, he glanced at Gintoki, who stared at his reflection. "Gintoki, that's a reflection."

The white-haired boy looked at Katsura, tilting his head in confusion.

"Give it up Zura–"

"It's 'Katsura.'"

"The kid doesn't know squat since he got here." Sitting upright, he glanced at his reflection before kicking the water to ruin it. However, he ruined Gin's as well, making the boy a little sad. Ignoring the two boys, Gin leaned forward and forward until…

Splash!

"Gintoki!" Katsura ducked his head into the water, searching for his friend. Fear seized him when he spotted Gin's body floating down to the bottom. Rising back up, he yelled, "Takasugi! Get Shouyou-sensei!"

Without agreeing, the boy ran off as Katsura hoped they'll make it in time. Meanwhile, Gin stared up at the light reflecting from the water. Bubbles escaped from his mouth and when he reached to touch them, they disappeared before his eyes.

This was a quite a discovery for the young boy.

However, he felt weird when less and less bubbles floated towards the surface. Then, a dark figure appeared before him and his surroundings went black. Suddenly, his body rose high up and light shined against his wet skin. Blinking his eyes, he saw Katsura, Takasugi, and Shouyou-sensei around him.

"Give him some space boys," their teacher instructed as Gin coughed and spit water out. "If you hadn't warn me sooner, your new friend would have vanished from this world."

"You mean, a kappa might have taken him to the spirits' world?" Katsura asked curiously.

Shouyou nodded. "Let's all be thankful he didn't. It's a horrible place for children to stay."

Gin tilted his head, wondering what they said and wished that he could participate too. Then, unidentified flying objected hit his head.

"You shouldn't make us worry baka." Gin looked up to see Takasugi frowning, and brought his hand to his side. Walking away, he said, "Next time you do something stupid, we won't be there for you."

"Takasugi!" Katsura chased after him, throwing insults at his direction. Their teacher sighed heavily, hoping that the two would grow closer, not argue. He focused on Gin, and ruffled the white hair gently.

"Come on, Gintoki-kun. We need to start our sword lessons." He put his hand in front of him, and the child took it. Lifting him up to his feet, they walked towards the temple school.

"Sensei," the little boy said, gaining the adult's attention.

"Yes, what is it?"

The white-haired boy pulled him towards the lake again, and Shouyou thought that he might make the both of them drown. However, he saw the boy kneeling down and pointing at a mirror image of himself.

"Re…reflection?"

Smiling, he said, "Yes, that's your reflection. It's because the water's so clear, it acts as a mirror. If you look at it too long, a spirit will take into the spirits world!"

Shouyou waited for the boy to be scared. Instead, he received a blank stare and head tilt to the side. Scratching his cheek gently, he thought, Maybe he doesn't understand what the spirits are?

Shrugging, he took Gin to the temple school once more, without any interruptions.

"All right class!" Shouyou-sensei shouted loudly, gaining his pupils' attention as they sat down. Gin felt itchy, wearing kendo armor and clothing for the first time.

"Today, we'll be practicing our attack strikes. I want each of you to partner up and attack right away." When he threw his hand down, the boys paired up and began their training session. However, no one picked Gin; Katsura and Takasugi were fighting each other.

"Gintoki-kun," their teacher said, as crimson eyes looked up. "I'll be your partner for the day. Now–" Stretching his arms wide open, he said, "Hit me with everything you have." Tossing a shinai at his white-haired pupil's feet, he waited…and waited…and waited.

Gin, naturally curious, picked up the wooden sword and examined it. However, when he held its grip, red-stained images flashed before his eyes. Beads of sweat ran down his face, and his eyes were bugged.

"Gintoki-kun?" Returning to reality, the white-haired boy looked at sensei, who looked worried. Shaking his head, he ran towards the adult, lifting his shinai up, and swung it down to hit an arm. Landing on the ground, the boys stopped and stared at him in silent awe.

"Good job." Shouyou-sensei patted Gin's head, taking the shinai from him. "I didn't expect you to know how to wield a shinai."

"Tch, he got lucky." Takasugi muttered under his breath while Katsura smiled for his new friend.

Suddenly, Gin collapsed and breathed heavily. Immediately, Shouyou placed a hand on his forehead and whispered, "High temperature," to himself. Picking the boy up, he said, "Katsura-kun, Takasugi-kun, I want to prepare some water for Gintoki-kun."

"Hai!" The two threw their shinai, and headed for the kitchen. Meanwhile, their teacher headed upstairs and entered the sick room. Opening the shoji screen door, he laid Gintoki on a futon as his two students arrived with a bucket of water and a cloth.

"Here!" Placing the bucket next to sensei, Shouyou wetted the cloth and laid against Gin's forehead.

"Sensei, is Gintoki-kun going to be okay?" Katsura asked, and their teacher smiled.

"He's tough. I'm sure he caught a cold from the lake."

"The spirits might have gotten to him." Takasugi smirked, and Katsura hit him. Rubbing his head, he asked angrily, "What was that for Zura?"

"Don't joke about the spirits like that! They might give you a disease!" The young boy with a ponytail yelled, explaining how spirits worked and such. However, Their teacher stared at his student's frowning face, hoping that he's all right.

Saya: Well, that's it for day! Wow, I can't believe how long I haven't written for this story! Man, it makes me feel great writing for it again. Anyway, Gin's first time catching a cold! Poor guy, he almost drowned without even knowing it. Don't worry, things will pick again. Until next time, read and review people! Byez!