Kebchii says: After finally graduating, I am back with a new chapter and a new identity! I'm sorry if anyone is confused but I had to do something about my identity-crisis (im exaggerating). It has been a gruesome final year for me in school that I absolutely had no time to even log in. However, I am back with a new resolve to finally put an end to this comedic, shoujo, and unnecessarily-drama-filled story for everyone's satisfaction! I have no intention pf abondoning this story as I am also on the edge of my seat to know where or how this will go. Thank you, as always, to my dear readers and the feedback that you give is an encouragement and an inspiration. Please, do keep them coming. Be sure to log in, too, so I can PM you as a response! Now, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Gintama. It's too complex for a simple-minded person like me.

Summer Heat

Kebchii

"So," Gintoki started, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned back on his chair in the living room of his home. "You're asking for my permission to fake-date my daughter to help you get rid of this arranged marriage fiasco you're currently in while setting aside the fact that you actually do like my daughter and that you claim she reciprocates your feelings."

Okita Sougo, sat respectfully on the floor and in front of his homeroom teacher, nodded. "That's right."

Gintoki's expression was indifferent and although Sougo was known to be like that at times, it didn't help lessen the nervousness he was feeling. He didn't want to further ruin his chances with his teacher's daughter and the current situation wasn't exactly helping him (however stubbornly China would say otherwise).

Gintoki spoke. "Then why don't you just date her for real?"

"Because I want to do it right," came his immediate reply.

Gintoki noted that his daughter had blushed at that but kept silent and instead waited for the younger male to continue.

"I didn't want to drag her into this but," he paused as he sent a glare to girl seated beside his teacher, "she had been too stubborn and insisted to help me. Although I have no idea how that would be." Kagura stuck her tongue out at him in spite.

He focused his attention back to the perm-head. "I want to date her because I want to and not because I want to get rid of unwanted arranged marriages. After we resolve this issue, I'll ask her out properly." He bowed his head then, and Kagura had felt overwhelmed at the sight of him doing something for her when he was the one who had problems. "I'm telling you all of this so you wouldn't get any misunderstanding and eventually forbid me to really date your daughter. This also includes me asking permission to truly date your daughter in the near future."

For a while, Gintoki stared at the mop of flaxen-hair bowing in front of him. He frowned. "Aren't you getting a little arrogant here, Souichirou-kun?"

With his head still cast down, Sougo answered, "I have no excuse, Danna," he raised his head and looked directly at his teacher's eyes, "except for the fact that my feelings for Kagura are genuine and absolute."

Kagura strolled the streets of Kabuki-cho alone after school. Her best friend, Soyo, had been occupied with club activities and wasn't able to go with her. The vermillion-haired girl frowned as she munched on her sukonbu. Now she doesn't have anyone to confide with about her current dilemma.

A sudden scream filled the streets and Kagura swiftly turned to see a thief succesfully run off with a woman's purse. "Hey!" she shouted before she chased after the robber. The passers-by let out a gasp as they witnessed a highschool girl attack the thief with a flying kick.

"Hmph," Kagura triumphantly held on to the purse with her hand while her foot pressed on the theif's head. She noticed a young woman run up to her and she guessed it was the owner of the stolen item.

Said young woman had short light-brown hair and currently sported a worried expression. "Oh my," the woman had said when she reached Kagura and retrieved her purse. "Although you didn't have to, thank you very much. And to think that you're a high school girl, that was very dangerous," she added, voicing her concerns. The high school girl assured the woman that she was all right.

An idea struck the older woman and she clasped her hands together as she stared expectantly at Kagura. "Please, let me thank you by treating you for some ice cream!"

Food was never a problem for Kagura and she was more than happy to go along.

"I'm Mitsuba, by the way," the light-brown haired woman introduced herself as they waited for their orders to come.

"I'm Kagura," she bowed (because she respects anyone who gives her food for free). "You don't look like you're from around here, Micchan."

Mitsuba smiled, liking the nickname the girl had just given her. "You're right. I'm currently staying here with my brother whom I haven't seen for years."

Puzzled, Kagura thought the woman in front of her looked familiar but couldn't quite pin-point it. She decided to let it go. "I see. Are you close?"

Delighted, Mitsuba giggled behind her kimono sleeve. "Oh, yes. My brother is a sweet, caring and lovable boy- ah, I guess he's a man now," she added as she thought about it. "I'm just glad we got to see each other and spend time together again."

"He must be a great sibling for him to be talked highly by his sister," Kagura commented with a smile. She vaguely thought of her own brother but quickly shoved it in the back of her mind.

Mitsuba smiled as she watched the younger girl. She didn't know why but she had a feeling this was not the last time she will be seeing the vermillion-haired girl. "So," she started and Kagura perked up from her bowl of Ferrari Rocher gelato after receiving their orders. "Is there something on your mind, Kagura-chan?"

Surprised, Kagura could only stare wide-eyed at her companion. "Wh-what do you mean, Micchan?"

"Well, you've been having this strained look on your face like your constipated every once in a while and it's worrying me. Are you on your period?"

Kagura shook her head in denial. "No! Nothing of the sort. Although," she trailed off and wondered if she could really share her problems with someone she just met. "I do kinda have something on my mind. I-it's about my friend," she lied nervously as she thought that it probably won't hurt to hear someone else's thoughts about her troubles.

"What happened?"

Mitsuba looked genuinely concerned that Kagura ended up spilling everything anonymously. "You see, my friend has a guy she l-likes," she stuttered, feeling very embarrassed at how she's narrating herself and her feelings. "But the guy is already set up with another girl, though he had no idea about it. In the end, my friend forced the guy to let her help him and now she's stressing herself over on how or what exactly she could do for him."

"Ooh," Mitsuba let out as she let the story process in her mind. After a beat, she spoke, "Hmm, maybe it isn't as complicated as you think, right, Kagura-chan?"

Kagura tilted her head to the side in confusion. "What do you mean, Micc-"

A sudden ringing interrupted the high school girl and she realized it was her own phone vibrating against her thigh. Fishing out her mobile, her eyebrows shot up when the caller ID said 'Bastard'.

She got up and excused herself before going to a corner and take the call. Annoyed, she asked, "What do you want, Sadist?"

"Heads up, China. We're having dinner with my parents tomorrow night so be prepared."

Kagura shoved her phone away from her and gaped at it. "What?!" Heads turned her way but she paid no heed to them.

"And Danna is looking for you. You're on cleaning duty today, you know."

She slapped her palm against her face. I totally forgot about it, she thought stupidly. Without second thoughts, she hung up in haste and went back to their table.

"What happened, Kagura-chan?" Mitsuba asked as she watched the girl before her wolf down her ice cream in a span of five seconds.

"I'm sorry, Micchan! I totally forgot I had cleaning duty today," she explained when her bowl was spotless. Bowing, Kagura said her thanks and farewell then scurried off back to school.

Mitsuba watched the the girl run off with amusement. "Take care, Kagura-chan!"

Kagura sent her one last wave before speeding up. Gin-chan was so gonna kill her for forgetting if he finds out! She glared at no one in particular. And that damn sadist, interrupting her from getting help. Was he actually doing it on purpose? That bastard.

Sougo arrived at the Sakata Residence the next day at six forty-five in the evening. Gintoki stood just before the front door with his arms crossed over his chest and dead-fish eyes fixed on the young man.

Indifferent as ever, Sougo nodded in greeting. The perm-head answered his unspoken question by saying, "Tokugawa's almost done with her."

He wasn't able to say anything as his attention shifted to the front door opening. His teacher moved aside and the sight that stepped out of the door made his heart skip a beat.

The girl in front of him looked more like a woman with her deep red qipao dress and her vermillion hair down, though the hair ornaments stayed.

Feeling all eyes on her, Kagura felt embarrassed, especially at the funny look the sadist was giving her. She wondered if it was because of her hairstyle. Subtly, she looked him over. He was wearing a pastel pink dress shirt and red tie under a maroon tuxedo jacket and pants. She concluded his outfit complimented his eyes. He looked, unfortunately, really handsome.

''I want her back by ten,'' Gintoki suddenly spoke and Kagura pouted at him and demanded he quit treating her like a child.

Sougo only nodded in silence and led her to the car.

''You actually have a car. Why didn't you bring it along when we went to the beach?'' the vermillion haired female asked as they drove to their destination.

Sougo kept his eyes on the road, however difficult it was becoming knowing who sat beside him on the passenger seat. "This is Kondo-san's. He decided not use it since he wanted to ride with Anego," he answered then sent her a sideways glance and smirked. "Wouldn't want you feeling lonely, too."

Flushed, Kagura averted her eyes away from him and opted to look out the window instead.

They fell into silence as the car stopped at a red light. The female wasn't sure if it was a comfortable one as she felt a little disappointed at the sadist's lack of comment. She paused, then, shocked at her thoughts. Was she actually expecting something? She felt heat creeping up to her cheeks as embarrassment overwhelmed her at the thought of becoming too girly for her liking.

"China."

Startled, she turned to him with an eager look her face she didn't even realize she had.

Her companion's attention was still directed forward when he spoke. "Tonight, you…"

Wordlessly, she waited with bated breath for him to continue.

"…actually look like a decent person."

Kagura blinked.

"YOU STUPID FU-" She raised her hand to strike him but he caught her wrist easily.

"I'm kidding," he said with a chuckle and his eyes turned to her.

He was giving her that look again - the one that made her a little bit weak in the knees and made her heart beat a little bit faster.

When she relaxed, he adjusted his grasp on her and held her hand instead. He brought it closer to his lips and kissed her knuckles. She couldn't help but flush as he lips moved against her hand when he spoke, "You look great."

Worried that the boy will notice her unusually fast pulse, Kagura quickly withdrew her hand. She glared at him, albeit she was blushing. "Well, at least someone aprreciates my efforts now."

Sougo snickered and focused on the road before him when the light turned green. "I didn't think you'd do so for my parents."

"Idiot. It's not for them."

He gave her a sly smile. "How bold of you, China."

"Shut it."

It wasn't long before they arrived at their stop. Kagura's eyes roamed about the elegant restaurant, feeling a little out of place. She wondered how she was going to pull it off.

A hand on the small of her back startled her from her thoughts. She looked up to see Sougo beside her.

"You don't have to do anything and just be yourself," he said, answering her concerns.

She grinned at him. If he said to just be herself then she will.

They were soon led to a small private room but what immediately caught Kagura's attention was the sight of a very familiar face.

"Micchan?"

Sougo, along with his parents that were currently seated at the table, stared at the vermillion-haired girl in confusion and eventually shifted to the other person who spoke.

"Kagura-chan!" Mistuba called out in delight. "What a pleasant surprise!"

"Mother, Father. This is my girlfriend, Kagura," Sougo said, gesturing to Kagura as she bowed in greeting.

"It's nice to meet you, sir, ma'am," Kagura said, politely.

Okita Katsuhiro nodded, giving Sougo a curious look. "It's a pleasure to finally meet Sougo's… partner."

Kagura noted that the only one who seemed genuinely happy was Mitsuba. Everyone else seemed to be wearing disapproving looks.

"So, you saved our daughter from being robbed. That was brave of you," Katsuhiro said.

"And quite unlady-like," added Katsuhiro's wife, Nano, with a frown. Well, it seemed like a frown to Kagura. The woman seemed to be having a hard time trying to not to stretch her face too much.

Kagura felt Sougo tense beside her but she grinned at the married couple. "It's no big deal, really." She turned her smile to the older Okita sibling who smiled back at her. "Though, I'm still surprised to know you're actually acquainted with Sougo." Saying his first name in casual conversation felt a little funny but she wasn't going to let his family know their son was actually the Prince of Sadists anytime soon.

"So, Sougo-san," the wife started, ignoring Kagura's remark. "How are you faring in that high school you decided to attend to?"

Wow, she really did call the sadist like that.

"He's currently one of the officers in the Discipline Committee, Mother, along with Kondo-san and Hijikata-san." offered Mitsuba and Kagura watched, amazed, at how lovingly he smiled for his sister.

His mother reacted in distaste. "You're still with that mayo-freak and gorilla?" She shook her head. "I simply cannot fathom how you put up with such a school. I mean, there are a lot of pretigious high schools around. I'm sure your father wouldn't have any problems transferring you, wouldn't you, dear?"

"Of course," his father answered absently as he focused on his PDA.

The vermillion-haired girl was speechless, stunned at the flow of conversation. Did they just insult her school and not-so-subtly at that, too? They did, didn't they? She shifted her gaze to the siblings. Sougo had his usual poker-face but Micchan was unusually quiet.

The father continued, "Since you're currently a second year, you still have enough time to transfer to a different school."

His wife nodded. "And then you should think about getting a real career and attend medical school."

Kagura didn't even bother hiding her incredulous look at the people across from her. Second year? Are these people for real? They were already third year students, unless she had been wrong about her current standing in school all this time.

And what was this about making the sadist go to medical school? Even she was sure the sadist, despite his attitude, wanted to be a policeman.

"Right. I'll look into that when the time comes," Sougo had answered nonchalantly.

Kagura paused as she tried to process what was happening around her. The conversation was so wrong in so many ways. The parents clearly have no idea what was happening with their son's life. Then there was Sougo who was agreeing in everything the married couple said. Was he actually considering the possibility of transferring?

She was pulled from her thoughts when Okita Nano turned to her with an inquisitive stare. "And you, Sakata-san? Are you a high school student also?"

"I'm actually in the same class with Sougo," she replied carefully.

The woman was frowning in distaste once again - frowning as much as her botox would allow, anyway. "And what do your parents do?"

"My father teaches Japanese History in our school and is our homeroom teacher."

"I see," the older woman's look of disgust on her was not unnoticed. "And your mother?"

"Oh, no, Gin-chan doesn't have a wife," Kagura watched as confusion etched on the faces of her fake-lover's parents and wondered if it was because they didn't know who this Gin-chan person was or probably because that this Gin-chan, who they'd assume was her guardian, did not, as she had said, have a wife.

"I'm adopted," she added as a matter-of-factly. She noticed the look of surprise on the boy seated beside her and guessed she never did mention any of these to him. His parents and sister were also looking at her, wide-eyed. "I became an orphan along with my brother at a very young age when my mami died and papi left us. Soon after, my brother also left and eventually Gin-chan took me in when I was fourteen."

A beat before Okita Katsuhiro spoke. "How… unfortunate."

"Oh, but I'm happy with Gin-chan so I don't really need your pity," Kagura responded with a grin on her face.

The married couple was flabbergasted by the no nonesense attitude of the young girl.

Warily, the mother shifted her gaze from Kagura to her son. "Sougo-san, have you not met that wonderful girl Miho?"

Taken aback at the sudden mention of the name, Kagura could only stare at mother and son.

Sougo had straightened and glared at his mother who pointedly ignored it. "Mother, you are speaking in front of my girlfriend."

The conversation was put to a stop when a waiter entered and brought them their food.

"Yes but I'm sure a lot of my friend's daughters are quite interested in you, son," his mother continued, exasperated.

Sougo glanced at Kagura to see how she was faring at his mother's words. He almost wanted to bang the China's head against the table when he saw she was simply wolfing down on her plate

Okita Nano smiled ever so slightly at Kagura, "I'm sure you wouldn't want to get married to a girl with a family that's, for the lack of a better term," she paused to meet Kagura's eyes, "… messed up."

The sudden sound of a chair screeching and the slam on the table stunned everybody sitting at the table.

"I think our time here is up."

"Wha-" His mother watched as her son helped their guest to her feet. "What are you doing? Sit back down, Sougo."

Blood-red eyes glared at her and this time, she kept her mouth shut.

"The only reason why I agreed to this meeting was to tell you that I have a girlfriend, whom I love very much," he watched as his mother turned red at his words, "And I will not tolerate any more marriage arrangements that I am not aware of." He turned to his companion, who was staring at him, stupefied. "Let's go, China."

Mitsuba watched with worry as his little brother and guest leave the private room. "Sou-chan…"