Chapter 33: For the last time

My body move at its own accord. Everything like it was going in slow motion. He looked very shocked and concerned. From the corner of my eye, the chimera's claw came down. Then a hot, burning sensation spread from my shoulder down my back. I jumped between Gintoki and the chimera as my vision suddenly become distorted.

For the mean time, I think the time stopped. I manage to grab and hold onto the chimera's claw onto my abdomen. I am losing my power, I have to tell him that it was alright. Trying my best to smile to him, I as well, spoke up, "Hang on… I'll help you…" All I can see is a surprised Gintoki with his eyes widened and mouth agape onto this situation. Of course, I'm as well surprised that I broke my promise to him. But I do not want him to disappear. I might as well disappear in this world than him.

And with all my strength, I destroy the claw. It manage to pull it back as I fell onto Gintoki's body. My shoulder and my arm throbbed in pain with a strange burning sensation. I started rapidly losing the feeling in my fingertips as they went cold.

Gintoki, panicked, sat me up and looked at me with a worried expression plastered to his features. But I couldn't sit up.

"I'm glad... you're okay.. Gintoki..." I tried to bring up some words as I struggled to breathe.

Suddenly, I looked down at my hand and saw that it was covered in thick bright red blood.

"What the hell did you just do?!" He admonished me.

I tightened my grip to his back though I cannot propped up. The impact made me lose my HP level really hard and now I am in verge of dying. I look onto Gintoki's features as I tried to smile; wanting to ease his uneasiness, "I am fine... It's just a scratch."

Gintoki yelled at me, "Scratch?! It blown up your middle part, you know! And you think it is a scratch!? It doesn't look like it's a scratch!"

I tried my very best to hide its pain by denying it, "No, I am alright..."

His arms enclosed me tightly, "You're always like this acting like everything's alright!"

"Satsuki-chan!"

"Satsuki-san!"

I can hear Shinpachi's and Kagura's voice calling out to me. There were bullets rattling and sword clashing all around the place. It must be Kagura and Shinpachi trying their best to fight the chimera. Gintoki propped me up. His arm which had been supporting my back, was completely covered in something fresh and warm. It wasn't hard to see that it was my blood soaked Gintoki's arm.

Gintoki gritted his teeth in frustration, "Why can't I do anything in a time like this?"

I cannot see things clearly already. My hands went cold as well. But his arms, being in Gintoki's arms… It's warm and nice...

"Is there anything I can do? I do not want to lose you... If I can't use my sword right now... when I need it the most... then what use is it? What the heck is it for? Open your eyes! I don't need anything else, but I don't want to lose you! I haven't even told you yet! I.. you.. I haven't said anything yet!" Gintoki tried to reach me out. Suddenly, there's a huge uproar in the floor, did she punch the floor just now? I cannot speak already. I do not want him to be uneasy. I do not want to see him sad. Suddenly, there were water drops onto my features. Rain… Is this rain? This rain is salty…

"Satsuki! Satsuki!"

As I began to lose consciousness, Gintoki's voice was the only thing that reached me. He is crying so hard, does it hurt somewhere? Everything faded into darkness. Suddenly Gintoki threw his arms around me and hugged me tight. "Really... You're really stupid!"

GINTOKI's POV

I am a huge idiot.

Why can't I help Satsuki in times of trouble? Why does she have to sacrifice herself all over again? This whole thing is a damn mess. I look through Satsuki's unconscious body as blood continued to trickle onto my hands. Her HP level is in red already. I am livid right now. I grimace over her body as I wrapped my arms onto her body and lift her up.

"Shinpachi! Kagura!" I called them. They reverted their gaze to me and run towards me.

"Satsuki-chan…" Kagura mumbled.

"Take Satsuki to the nearest hospital in the village." I instructed the both of them as I hand them Satsuki.

"How about you, Gin-san?! If you're planning to take cover then that's ridiculous!" Shinpachi warned me.

I know this is risky. But I have to stop this imprudence already. I gaze upon the raging chimera. Tightening my fist, I cannot think of any other solution.

"Take her and leave!" I shouted.

"But—" Shinpachi was about to retort again when Kagura halted him.

"Let's just do what Gin-chan told us to do. Plus, in any rate, Satsuki-chan will die, uh-huh." Kagura mumbled gloomily. She faced Gintoki while ogling him, "Gin-chan promise me… You won't die." At her last statement, Shinpachi took and carried Satsuki and run away with Kagura.

"Yeah, of course." I replied in response as I procured out my wooden katana.

"Are you ready bullshit of a chimera? Be ready because I'll be hurting you a lot."

Satsuki's POV

The whole place is pitch black. I do not know how to get out. Am I dead? Is this really the end? I am absolutely clueless. The last I remembered something is that receive the chimera's claw and fell right into Gintoki. It's very still and quiet. What am I going to do? Not until then someone called my name.

"Sat…su..ki..san"

"Satsu…ki…chan…"

I got this glimmer of hope that I didn't die yet. There is a spot of light in the midst of darkness. I hurriedly went up and reached. Now I came to my senses, I was in Shinpachi's back and they are running under the moonlight. My vision wasn't clear but I can see things. I glance over the place and saw Kagura running as well.

"Satsuki-chan, you're awake! I am glad, uh-huh." Kagura greeted me with that lucid smile. It seems that they're really worried. Ah wait, now that I have remembered, Gintoki is not with us. I hurriedly jolted but it hurts especially for the blow in my abdomen.

"Satsuki-san, you should not force yourself." Shinpachi calmed me down.

But I cannot help not to calm down! I have to gather up my voice to ask them where the heck is Gintoki. Even if it's kind of distorted, even if I kept on struggling from breathing, I am worried, "W..Where… is… Where is Gintoki?"

The two of them frowned in my sudden question. My eyes enlarged from this revelation. What happened when I fall unconscious?

"Gin-san… Gin-san is the one left in the castle…"

"He told us that we should take you and leave, uh-huh."

"Gin-san most likely decided to fight the chimera alone. He was completely devastated from the scenes and so do I together with Kagura-chan."

The two of them explained what happened a while ago. And I was also devastated to what happened. Gintoki decided to fight the chimera alone. That's just not good, that's too dangerous! What the heck is he doing?

"I… have… I have to… help…" I stammer.

"Huh? What are you thinking Satsuki-san? We have to bring you to the nearest hospital to replenish your HP level." Shinpachi said.

"Satsuki-chan, please do not make us more worried than ever, yes?" Kagura stutter. Tears began to flow right down from her cheeks.

I know it… I accept the fact… The more they get nearer the more my life gets unstable… They say that what your condition in the game will reflect in real life. I guess blood is oozing already all over the Headquarters. I can see my HP level got lower and lower.

I might just die here…

"Satsuki-san… Why can't you be so damn selfish for just one time?" Shinpachi bring up his feelings to me. I can feel that his voice appeared to be shaky as well. Everyone… really…

"I'm… sorry… for… everything… All I bring to you guys… was trouble…" I apologized deeply from my heart. I bit my lip as I continued, "I never made you guys ha—"But then I was interrupted by Kagura.

"No… No… Satsuki-chan lightened up the Yorozuya… Satsuki-chan is my ideal woman… I wanted to become you when I become older… You see, Gin-chan is trying his best to… fight. That's why, you must also… fight…" Kagura brought up more tears from her eyes as well Shinpachi.

"Satsuki-san… You're blessing to us both as well as to Gin-san. It might not look like it but he was really lucky to have you. That's why…. Do not… Do not die… We have lots of things to do… Gin-san has to say something to you as well.. Please live." He pleaded to me.

I wanted to live for them. My lips are frozen already. I cannot feel my fingertips nor my feet. I am losing my sense of touch. Tears started to form as well into my eyes when hearing their requests. I do not want to die as well… Hearing their cries makes me depressed… I do not want them to mourn over me… Please do not be sad…

Suddenly, a group of guards from the castle surrounded us. Kagura readied her fighting stance as well as the guards. Kagura started to immobilize them one by one trying to clear up the way. While Kagura is at it, Shinpachi tried his best to escape with me. But then an arrow shot his right leg causing him to stumble and for me to hover over the land. Suddenly, the book landed also itself on the ground. I remembered that the blonde said that I should open it when I am near in my death bed. I didn't have the chance to open it since it's already open. A light shine over me and I was completely captured by it.

I was utterly confused by the scenes. After flashing out a light the book faded bit by bit and disappeared completely. I glance over my HP level and saw only a 7% in it. Unexpectedly, a soldier stood in front of me and was ready to slice me up when it stumbled in the ground. I saw Gintoki whacked its head.

"Gin..to…ki…" I tried my best to mention his name. He sheathed his wooden katana, wrapped his arms to me and carry me up.

"Gin-san, go ahead! We will catch up!" Shinpachi signaled over us.

"Save Satsuki-chan!" Kagura shouted from afar.

Gintoki nodded as they signaled to us and started to sprint out. If he is here then, they're able to log out. This speed wasn't an ordinary one, it was faster than when he is running from his rent. Because of it, he didn't notice a rock over the pathway that he got tripped and I rolled onto the ground. I glance over my HP level and saw only 4%. They are really trying their best to help me. I cannot accept the fact that I'm just being a penniless idiot here.

Abruptly out of nowhere, a car speedily headed to us when I look at it. Kagura and Shinpachi where there riding. I do not know where they had that but I think that's an item from the guards.

"Gin-san! Hurry!" Shinpachi gestured to us. So he hurriedly carried me inside the car and they drove to the hospital. I rested over Gintoki's shoulder and he held my hand. I know that my hand is cold already but his hands are warm. It lightens me up.

We are currently a few meters ahead from the hospital when the car stopped.

"What?! What happened?!" Shinpachi retorted as he searched for things to use to fix the car. I heard Gintoki clicked his tongue. He opened the door of the car and carried me up. With that, he started to sprint out again. I glance over my HP bar and saw that it was already 0%. I widened my eyes in this realization. I didn't also apprehend that Gintoki tripped again in a rock causing me to land roughly in the land. I saw my fingertips and feet fading bit by bit.

"No…" Gintoki mumbled. He was about to carry me when I halted him. A sad smile appeared to my features signaling him to stop and give up. Shinpachi and Kagura followed us here and saw me fading. Tears again were formed onto the duo's eyes.

"Do not cry." I halted them to do it, "I am not deserving to be cried out… I only caused you trouble… That's why… This is my punishment…"

"No! No!" Kagura shouted.

"Do not disappear from us!" Shinpachi kneeled over as tears began to trickle from his features.

"I do not want this…" Kagura mumbled.

I glance over the faces. Do not bid me a farewell with those faces… I beg you...

Gintoki propped me up. He closed his distance between us as he began to express something, "Stand. Idiot. Moron. Flat board. Stand up! Stand up, the heck what are you doing?! Correct me that you're a C Cup woman! Punch me so hard that I'll have a bloody nose! Haven't you said that... you wouldn't leave this world until you get to fulfill your wishes! You're strong, right?! Show me that you're strong enough! Show us that you're able to live despite your blown up abdomen. Come on, flat board girl! Your family is waiting for you! We're waiting you! Even I do... I am waiting for you! Please... I still have many things to tell you. I…. Haven't said anything yet! I haven't been honest towards you yet!

I... I still have to pay you the last part of my debt! Remember that I do not even give you money yet. Damn, you almost killed me. I promise I will give you the money before next weekend, yeah, I'm not lying! I won't go to pachinko parlor for a couple of days... I will do it! I promise! Also, I can delay the rent for a couple of months... that old lady won't get mad, I know!

... What do you think?"

His voice began to shake as he continued, "... Hey... Satsuki... I... promise... I will eat half the amount of sweets I'm used to... I will seldom go and waste money... Hey... Look at this... I am sorry... I am sorry for being such a damn klutz... for being a damn bullshit for making you cry... the last time... I promised... yet I can't... I am so sorry... I wanted to tell you many things! Hey... Satsuki... Do you know what I just remembered? I almost forget! Remember that day when I promised to take you out for some relaxation. But I ruined it since I wasted the money and bought things that isn't helpful at all to the household. You got angry with me and you scolded me for that time. I jokingly apologize for that thing but I thought you'll get angrier but you just plastered a big smile on your face. A smile that I will never forget.

He hugged me tightly. He is really warm. He has big arms to support me… Gintoki then resumed his statement as his voice appeared to be shaky already, "Satsuki... Come on, Oogushi-kun is going to kill me... Your parents will hunt me...They entrusted you to me... Yet I can't... I can't even protect you from those claws... Instead you're the one who protected me... You placed your trust to me in this necklace... But I ruined it... I can't even protect you... I can't... I hate it... I hate how I am too weak against that claws... I hate it... I'm so sorry for ruining you trust..."

I pulled from this tight distance. I reach for his hand cheeks to caress it with a gentle smile from my lips, "It's okay... I.. never regretted anything... From the past... and from now... I never regretted in saving you... Gintoki... I'm sorry for bugging you again... I'm sorry for ruining my promise... From now on, I won't bug you at all."

Gintoki replied, "Satsuki... No... don't... please... Keep on bugging me for the rest of my life... I want to hear your voice... I want to see your smile again! What the heck are you doing? Stand up."

Seeing their reactions made me wanted to walk beside them. I want to live... ahhhh... I want to see them again... Walk by their sides again... I want to... but now... I can't...

I stammered, "Gintoki... Thank you very much... Thank you for showing me the world... Thank you for being there... Thank you for your craziness... I won't ever forget that... I love the Yorozuya... I really love it... The people on Kabuki-Chou... You gave color to my world... I was used to being alone... I was always betrayed by others... I was always leaving in the darkness... Everyone leaves me there, even my shadow leaves me so I learned to live there... But after I met you, I felt like my life was changed. You are the one who pulled me from this solitude, you're the one who saved me from falling. Maybe... it's the time... for..."

Kagura interrupted me again, "No! No! You can't! I have many things to tell to you! I haven't let you feel my great love for you..."

I chuckled to what she stated, "You did... Kagura... Thank you for that.."

Shinpachi as well expressed his feelings, "You can't leave Satsuki-san... You can't... Stay with us... It's not enough... You have more to experience. That's why come—"

This time I interrupted him, "Shinpachi... take care of Gintoki and Kagura. Do... Not... Let them do as they please..."

Shinpachi didn't have a choice but to reply, "Y-Yes."

Again, Kagura disagreed to this fact, "No you can't... Satsuki-chan! I always wanted to be like you!"

I hesitantly replied to her declarations, "Kagura... Do not do that... Or else your life will be ruined... Promise that you'll grow to become a fine lady, got it?"

Tears fall down her features as she responded, "Y-Yes…"

I faced Gintoki with a warm smile escaping my lips, "Gintoki... Your luster may not have been as bright as gold, you only shined on occasions...We were always arguing and fighting... You had curly hair... You were lazy... You were the king of sexual harassment... You paid the rent late. ... You never paid your people... When you were angry, your entire soul was enraged... When you laughed, you laughed with all your heart...You were brighter than the fake glint of gold plating... Your silver was much more beautiful... Thank you... for... everything... Good...bye..."

With that, the last thing that I see is Gintoki who closed our distances with each other.

GINTOKI's POV

I close our distances with each other. Even if it's the last time, I have to tell her that I love her. The moment that our lips met she turned into shards and faded onto the night sky.

Congratulations of clearing the game! Being brave is one of the keys here to be able to be successful. One of the party had clear the game. So the log-out button is now present in your option button. Do not worry, you'll be leaving this world in no time…

As soon as we heard that, we got back onto our original worlds. We are back in the Yorozuya Headquarters. I hurriedly took of the device from my head and gaze onto Satsuki's spot but then I saw only a pool of blood, her katana, kimono, socks and the pink hair clip I gave her that is soak in blood. I quickly brought out the crystal necklace she gave me. Remembering her words that when the necklace turns into shards it means that she is not here in this time. I gaze upon the said necklace and it turned to shards. My eyes widened from this sudden occurring scene.

It can't be right… That moron amazon girl… can't be…. Right?

Satsuki is not dead, right?

I landed swiftly in a hard solid land. What the heck is… Wait… Why the heck am I naked?! And I recalled that I disappeared in the game right? Or wait? I am alive!?

Well, yes, this is my POINT OF VIEW! Sakakibara Satsuki's Point of view! Anyway, got to re-write the scene.

SATSUKI's POV

I was very surprised that I am alive and there I saw the book beside me. I recall that it was the book blonde gave me. I opened in and there a flash of light came in again. It spewed out some kimono, obi, scarf and square-framed glasses. Anyway, I have enough of this nonsense. So I wore the things that this "magical book' gave me. I saw a long ribbon lying together with the clothes. So I tried to braid my hare as well when I browse the book, I saw a mirror attached to it. I am so lucky. Seeing my good-ridden face made me disgust of myself. I sulk like this.

Anyway, the real question is that why am I alive? I remembered that I got a 0% HP level and that I should not exist in this world or maybe blonde was telling me the truth. I sighed.

Maybe, because I haven't solve many mysteries in this fanfiction like Hamano Meiko, that's right! She is Gintoki's first love I remembered. I really wanted to know about that mere fact. That idiot bastard did not want to tell me! Nonetheless, I have to reveal the truth. I browse some pages in the book and saw something surprising.

It states that when the book is opened it'll bring the person who ever is near the book in 5 years from the past in their most trusted person when they're in the present. Oh, I see. Wait what the heck!? Then this is 5 years from the past but to whom…

Anyway, this book let me live and I do not have time to waste. I have to reveal Hamano Meiko's true identity. I wonder what does Hamano Meiko? Maybe if its Gintoki's first love maybe that's just a fat ugly-girl, right?

I ruffled my hair while thinking about Hamano Meiko's identity! I want to know jeez!

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the bushes started to rustle. There's a man, oh no! The man revealed itself with some leaves and twigs onto his hair. To my surprise, I saw a silvery-blue hair with a pair of dead fish red eyes. He was wearing a white bandana and white armor as well. My eyes widened to this realization. Although, his hair was long but… I cannot escape the fact that the man I trusted the most is…

"G-Gintoki?"

Author's note:

This is really long! Anyway, thank you for the reviews hoping that Satsuki won't die. Of course, she won't! She is the main OC here! She needs to end up with Gintoki-errr wait. Anyway, woah thank you for your patronage! So, Satsuki was brought up to the past of Gintoki (whom she trusted the most) and the Yorozuya thinking that she died already. HAHA. Anyway, thank you for everything! Wait for my Chapter 34!

PS:

If you want to read the side story of the last part where Gintoki's POV is present there then I humbly present to you my other fanfiction which is "Birthdays aren't bad at all?" Thank you!