Wow! I'm so amazed that people are still finding and reading my stories and it gives me so much joy! I've been busy with work so I hadn't had the time to write anything at all.

But alas! I'm jobless now! I should probably go look for a new job... nahh...

Anyways, thanks for all the favourites, follows and reviews! You make me so happy!

(c) Disclaimer: I do not own Gintama

Chapter 3

When love comes knocking at your door

You punch it straight in the face

Why stop smoking if you're living a life with a sadist and a beast. Either way, they could all cause cancer. ‒"Hijikata Toushiro".

Hijikata Toushiro- demon vice commander of the Shinshengumi, eldest son of the chief of the most successful and respected police task force in Edo, is now faced with a dreadful, very dangerous task that could cause him his life‒ A visit at the Okita estate.

Hijikata is a man of order; he liked to plan out every move. So when his respected gorilla of a father asked him to check up on Mitsuba-dono, he needn't think twice to reserve a ride at a train 2 weeks early.

He was also a man of caution. He did as best as he could to keep other members of the Shinsengumi from finding out that he was taking a trip to see Mitsuba. Just imagine the mockery he'd receive once his men find out that he fears not a serial murderer, a terrorist bomber, or a pizzeria animal mascot hell bent on stuffing you down a mechanical exoskeleton- but instead shits his pants over a woman. But then again, they've never met one like Mitsuba.

He was also a man of truth. He didn't like being pretentious. There was no point in acting brave when you are this close to ringing the entrance bell that once housed a sadistic prince and the sleeping demon princess.

Inhale... Exhale...

He was shitting himself nervous. It was like this every fucking time. He had half a mind to tuck tail, book a flight to the savannah and shake hands with Simba. The other half was itching to ring the entrance bell, greet Mitsuba with a kiss on the cheek and a wide smile on his face.

Sigh... He didn't really 'have' to do this you know? He could have sent one of his men to check up on the lady. His ape of a father never mentioned he had to go himself. He could have written a letter instead! His hairy-assed father never said anyone 'actually' had to see her face to face!

He was ready to make up another excuse with his nicotine fed brain cells when a lone foot came pivoting down his spine.

"Stop insulting kondo-san and ring the goddam bell!" said a very much annoyed Okita Sougo, who just happened to also be asked by their father to check up on his dearest sister, something Hijikata isn't so happy about.

"Goddam it Sougo! Who do you think you're kicking in the back?"

"Ahn, sorry I thought you were a door mat. You've been standing there inanimately for the past 15 minutes that I even mistook you for an ornament." He retorted, a deadpanned look plastered on his face.

It was true though, people where staring and the house help were starting to debate on whether they would wait for him to ring the bell or just pretend they didn't notice him and open the gates in the guise of having an errand out, pretend to be surprised by the visit and let their masters in.

"Hn, fine I'm ringing it." Finally! A maid hurried letting the guests in while the others scramble to return to their previous task. "Welcome back!" She greeted as she led them to the inner room.

If Toushi was scared then now he felt terrified. As if dying was a better option. He would rather be stomped on by a heard of wildebeest or get abducted by a group of Joui patriots than make a huge mistake which could upset the lady in question. 'Did I get enough gifts, is my clothes all wrinkled? Do I smell alright?'

"Hijibaka-san, we are visiting my sister. Not going on your engagement meeting. Stop acting like you're a prepubescent twelve year old about to go on your first date."

A giggle echoed in the room. "Oh? I was hoping for the latter one though" Mitsuba smiled, dressed in an elegant sakura patterned kimono. Her hazelnut hair was held in an updo using a pink flowery pin, some stray hairs framing her delicate face. "Sister, don't encourage him." The younger man replied bitterly.

Through the years Mitsuba has grown into a fine lady. She was pretty as a little girl back when they used to play tag with each other but now she has blossomed into a beautiful flower destined to be Lady Okita.

"Ohh Sou-chan," she smiled seeing as how nothing has changed. She directed her eyes to Hijikata, she smiled in that sweet angelic way which only she can do, or at least that's what Toushi thinks. "Nice to see you again Mitsuba, these are for you! I handpicked them just... for... you.." He felt his cheeks burn; he wasn't supposed to say that. It was already embarrassing enough to spend 4 hours at the flower store muttering to his self whether or not the flowers he picked were good enough. The owner was this close to kicking him out of the shop due to the eerie repetition of some sort of curse or mantra. It was bad for business.

"Hijikata-san, please stop poisoning my sister with your gifts and words." He stared at the pair as they seemed lost in each other's eyes. Well at least it seems like it, though reality was one is recalling his horrible experience at the flower shop while the other is mentally debating whether she should put said flowers in the right stand or the left stand of her bedroom. Either way it was sickening for the Sadist prince to watch.

They continued to catch up while simultaneously touring the estate, remembering moments from their childhood. "Ahh! Look, remember how the two of you went fishing in the coy pond? You two were having a contest on who could catch a fish first." Mitsuba giggled as she stared longingly at the coy swimming about.

"Ehh? Was there something like that Sougo?" Toushi whispered to the man beside him. "Dunno, all I remember is hanging upside down the sakura tree with a fishing line tied around my feet. Hijikata san was unconscious on the opposite branch." He shrugged.

"How about that one?" Mitsuba pointed to a stone shrine. "Remember how you tipped it over while we were playing hide and seek? Oh Mother was so worried about you Toushi." She looked at him, a sad expression on her gentle face.

"Ehhh!? Sougo? Was there ever such a moment like that?" Hijikata half screamed half whispered. "Dunno, all I remember was trying to dig you a grave behind the shrine while you ranted about how the resident monk would get mad if he saw me. Ah! Now that I remember it, the shrine did get knock down when Sister tried to climb it and it fell on you. Your head was so red I just thought that I needed to dig faster."

"Oh! This bridge! We used to call it the demons bridge." Mitsuba slowly ran her nimble fingers on the bamboo rail. "Hmmm... Can't seem to remember why though." She looked up, her lips forming a small pout. "Do you know why?"

"Ahhh, isn't that because we would run towards here whenever you'd chase us with your iron bat and Oni mask. This is the point where you usually catch up and beat us half to dead because we refuse to drink our milk. Hijikata-san would always get caught first leaving him to be the sacrifice as I try to run away in vain. "

"EEEEHHHHH!? SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENS?!" By this time Toushi was in a state of panic and disbelief.

"Has the multiple concussions you receive over the years caused you even more brain damage?"

When the sky turned dark, they all decided to head in for dinner. The room was very traditional looking with hay colour tatami mat accommodating their tired feet. The Okita house was serving a feast. It's not often that the young masters would visit together. Hijikata and Mitsuba were seated near each other while Sougo was on the opposite side of the wide table.

Okita Sougo has done nothing but mope as Hijikata received all the attention from his sister. 'Ahhh, I'll just stab this fish with a fork and pretend it's Hijikata'. The two were being too lovey dovey it was making him sick. 'Are they newlyweds?!'

"Toushi say ahhh..." And that's when he snapped. The S-prince has had enough!

"Goddamit! Are you a bunch of newlyweds? Stop this gross act! It's disgusting! I've had enough I'm going to bed!"

And that was when she snapped...

"S.A.D.I.S.T ! ! !"

Huh?

"ORYAH!" A battle cry, then a fist buried itself deep in Sougo's face. "I'm the one who has had enough! Are you a child? You've done nothing but mope and complain all day long! You Sis-con! You sick freak! Stop being all jealous and let them be! The reason why we're here is to make your sister happy! And if she's happy talking to Mayora then you should goddam let her do as she please!" A very pissed vermillion haired China spat out. She was panting furiously trying to catch her breath.

"Ehh? China? How long have you been here?"

"The hell sadist!? I've been here from the start!" That's right, poor kagura has been with them from the very beginning. She was there when Hijikata was mentally preparing himself to ring the bells to the Okita Estate. She was apologizing to the bystanders and maids for the scene they cause.

She was there when Mitsuba received the flowers. Putting her surprising inhumane strength she was the one carrying most of the flowers, chocolates and boxes kimonos. If that was one of the main reasons she was accompanying them then she better get paid big time!

She was there as they recalled Hijikata's traumatic childhood in which he couldn't remember 90% of. She handed Toushi some tissue as his tears of realization glided through his cheeks. It made her realize that Mayora also had it rough. Well, living with the sadist and the demon princess isn't always going to be rainbows and unicorns she guessed.

And she was there as Sougo menacingly stabbed every food the house-helps served. Fishes were brutalized and carrots were murderized. A string of incomprehensible curses escaping his mouth as an isolated pea found itself being grounded to dust.

She was asked to come with them but it seems the Sadist forgot her presence. Somehow, that felt unforgivable. She was being ignored, as if invisible. Kagura was now fuming at the same time very embarrassed. She was planning on letting everything slide and just get this over with. But the Sadist was being so out of character that it just pissed her off. And that didn't sit well with her. 'Calm down Kagura, think of the overtime pay.'

Her kick did knock some sense into the him. She was right. He was being childish and to a certain degree, pathetic. How could he have stoop so low. Her sister was happy and frankly, that is all that should matter. He could always just try to kill Hijikata when they return back to the compound.

"Ohh Sou-chan... I'm sorry if you felt that I haven't been giving you enough attention. I was too excited to finally see Toushi again. After all, you tend to visit me every month." She said feeling guilty.

"It's not your fault Sister, I'm sorry for being immature. Please try to enjoy the remaining moments." Sougo smiled genuinely, an act kagura thought he was incapable of.

The sky has turned dark and became a playground for the twinkling stars. A cool breeze blew and a chill ran through his skin. Sougo sat at the edge of the wooden floor- his feet dangling from the elevated platform, his view directed at the coy pond.

"Today sure was a blast huh?" The sudden presence of another being jolted him out of his reverie. It was china. A yukata wearing china. A hair-not-in-a-bun china. A freshly out of the bath China. He suddenly had to swallow a lump in his throat. "Not sure you should be out here right after a bath Sadist. I mean, even idiots catch colds you know?"

"Hmph., not sure about the blast part. Hijikata's head didn't explode after all." He motioned for her to sit next to him. A gesture he was surprised of doing. Nevertheless china followed to show him she planned to be civilized tonight.

"No., but yours did." a smirk dancing on her lips.

"Ahh! Why did you come here again?"

"Well aren't you a fun-guy? Yis?"

"Did you just call me a unicellular microorganism?"

"Relax sadist, I brought tea and onigiri, courtesy of your sister!" She slipped the warm tea cup to his cold hands.

"Where's the onigiri?"

"I ate it..." Tsk, typical china. Not one to pass up free food. He let the warm drink slide down his throat.

"Thanks,... for back there. " He murmured

"Huh? HAAAH!? Did I hear that wrong or is your drink just poisoned."

"I'm not repeating myself stuuuuuuuupid."

"Hahaha! Geez sadist I was messing with you." She didn't really expect him to repeat himself, but it was just too funny. The great prince of the planet of sadist— thanking her for knocking some sense into him. Literally. "You know, your sister is kind. I wish my brother was similar. My brother was somewhat harsh, especially with martial arts training. He would always push me to polish my skills and become strong. Sometimes I wish we could just sit back and eat some watermelons yah know?"

"Yeah? I bet he did, culturing you like the bacteria of which you are."

"Stop it already." Civilized kagura, try to be civil. "But you're lucky you still get to see her."

Sougo stared at her. Her blue eyes were glistening. Her lips were red from being chewed on, a mannerism she had when she felt frustrated. Her cheeks were stained pink from the cold, and her hair was dripping wet, droplets falling to her neck escaping into the valley beneath her yukata. 'Ahh, that's a pretty dangerous thought there.'

"Hey don't worry if I was related to you, I'd probably want to avoid seeing your mug every fucking day as well!"

"Sadist you jerk!" Enough about being civil! This is war! This is sparta!

She lunged forward trapping him underneath. She figured he's taken enough hits for the day and decided to grab the sides of his stomach and tickle him to death. They were both laughing uncontrollably till he caught her hands and forced them to settle on either side of his face, her palm flat on the wooden floor.

When their laughter died down, he only just realized the predicament they've landed themselves upon. Her face framed with a couple of dangling hair was inches away from his, eyes half lidded. A faint scent of vanilla and strawberries wafted towards him. He was holding her hands firm at the side of his head, her chest heaving up and down from the lack of air. Her legs pressed on either side of his body, her yukata tousled, and she was sitting directly on his—

"You should probably stop that." He said not sure to which he was referring to.

"Hmm why?"

"I just know it will stand up." He knew exactly which he was referring to.

"Stand?"

He unceremoniously threw her on her sides and stood up. "Oww, are you going somewhere?"

"Yeah. Bathroom..."

(A/N): Annnnd done! I was going for a more serious with fluffs and etc etc... have no idea what I just did. Did I lose my touch in writing? Its been a while, I hope this wasnt trying too hard and stuff. Well anyway, reviews are highly appreciated as always! actually I get the urge to write whenever I read your reviews! (Its just an urge though, doesnt necessarily mean I'll write anything.)