Chapter 34: I am not Hamano Meiko, r-right?

The trio's eyes widened from the scenery they saw. They cannot cope up with the idea that Satsuki were not here with them.

"It's a lie, right? Hey, tell me this is just a complete fantasy, uh-huh. Satsuki-chan can't be…" Kagura jolted her attention to the other two. But seeing her comrade frowning from what they saw she can't help but to tear up rapidly, "It's a lie, right?"

Tears began to stream as well from Shinpachi's eyes as they realize what really happened. As for Gintoki, he didn't shed a tear in front of them either. He silently stood up and walked to his room. It was silent when the duo heard a loud clattering of constituents to the room.

"Gin-san...?" Shinpachi murmured his name.

The clattering sound continued for a moment then stopped when Gintoki screamed on top of his lungs.

"Damn it!"

That's what happened that evening. An evening wherein there is no jerking idiotic girl screaming or rattling about his mess at all.

SATSUKI'S POV

My eyes jerked from what I have seen. Also my mouth went ajar to the current Gintoki standing in front of me. My eyes were twitching when I saw him. Of course, what is this jerk doing in the middle of the forest?!

He arched a brow and approached me, "Hey girl, what's your name?"

I stepped a little bit backward. I stuttered for a moment. Well, I do not know what to do. First Gintoki appeared in the forest and he seems like a complete stranger. Then I do not know how I will go back to my original world. Finally, Hamano Meiko's identity that I am dying to know about.

"Come on, , I'm not going to bite you or anything. Wha's your name?" As he walked a little bit towards me.

Dang it! I do not know what to do. Since I'm in the past of the person I really trust the most then I will lie about my identity. But I do not know what to name myself! Damn it! I'm really confused about this.

In the midst of the bewilderment that I do not know what to do already; I stated someone's name that I haven't met at all, "H-Hamano M-Meiko!"

Wait.

WAIT.

FUCK WHAT DID I JUST STATED?!

My eyes shudder from what I stated. I'm so sorry Hamano Meiko-san, it's just out of nowhere rather out of confusion I've been thinking of you that's why I accidentally blurted it out! Fuck! I'm going to die! I brought out an awkward atmosphere as I begin to perspire to my situation.

"Hamano Meiko?" He repeated.

My eyes again jerk off. No way. I do not want to be Gintoki's first love. Hey wait, what if they know Hamano Meiko-san already… Then, I can tell them that it was just a coincidence that we have the same name. That's right, I better ask this guy over here.

"Um—" Out of nowhere, I clutched onto my abdomen as I feel an excruciating pain onto it. My knees fell over the ground. The wound just opened up again. Oh no, my hands were covered with blood. I'm losing my strength…

Ginroki approached me with a concern look onto his features, "Hey! Are you okay?"

"I-I'm okay…Reall—"

The pain stricken me again and I cannot move at all. In a split second, Gintoki carried me onto his back that I began to panic.

"W-What are y-you doing, Gi—Mister!?" I almost spit out his name since I am panicking. I squealed as I struggled from his back this is damn embarrassing!

"Oh come on. Can't you see, this mister is already helping you, be thankful nerdy girl!" Hearing his statement made me angry though but since I do not have the strength to smack him and submitted to him. Slowly, my sense of sight started to fade in as well as my consciousness. But I got to admit this but maybe… just maybe… Gintoki is the one…

….who I trusted the most?

I woke up into unfamiliar scenery. Seeing the wooden ceiling made me confuse at all. I do not have any idea about my whereabouts. While observing the said place, it seems that I am in a house after all. In my side I saw an unfamiliar man wearing his smile.

"Oh, you're awake. Are you feeling better?" He asked me.

The excruciating pain was gone. It seems that this kind man treated me. I tried to sit up properly in order to thank him for what he has done.

"Do not force yourself miss."

I let out a gentle smile onto my features as I wear again my eyeglasses.

"If so, then…" The man stood up from his seatt and walk outside. I hear him call this, "Gintoki-san! The pretty girl is awake already!"

G-Gintoki? He's here! I thought he already disappeared and someone brought me here in this cabin. Then this means that it's his cabin! What should I do? What should I do?!

"Gintoki-san will be here in a minute so stay still." He bid his farewell and departed from the room.

Wait! Do not leave me alone here! I'm stuck with Gintoki damn it! What should I do? What if he found out that I'm using a fake name? There's no way I'll be his first love like look my appearance is just a plain old nerdy girl. Plus if I would imagine Hamano Meiko-san then she should be a sexy lady since Gintoki likes those stuffs.

The shoji door slid open. Here he comes!

Gintoki barged inside the room and closed the door. As soon as I see him I couldn't help but tremble m-maybe he already found out that I'm an impostor!

"Hey." He called out.

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck! It started! I knew it I won't last a day here!

I flinched, "Y-Yes?!"

"You know… Why the heck are you scared of me?" He asked.

I hesitated for a moment. Of course, it's obvious you already blew my cover! But there's a 0.000001% that my cover wasn't blown so I replied, "I'm not scared! Also, Gintoki why the hell—" I paused for a moment when I realized what I've done.

I casually called out his name! I'm doomed! I'll give you 300 yen so please don't kill me. It's over… My life is over. I just got treated but I blown out my cover. I'm sorry! I'm not really Hamano Meiko-san so release me please.

"Hey." He called out.

"Y-Yes?"

I knew it! I knew it. He will kill me! I'm sorry! It's all over. Fretting about my moment, I have no choice but to submit to the situation. In any minute my head is rolling over this floor.

"Quit acting like that, geez! Anyway, why the heck do you know my name!?" He asked.

He's asking me now. He thought that I'm really suspicious. Of course anyone will be suspicious that a complete stranger will be calling your name that's just ridiculous, isn't it? If this is Toushi's past then I'll be glad to play with him again. Oh wait, maybe I can patch things up. I'll try my best for my cover not to be blown.

I spoke up, "We-Well, I kind of hear your name because it was kept on being mentioned by your men…So Gi-Gintoki…..san, right?"

It's really weird to put that "-san" to his name. It doesn't suit him but if it meant for me to not dig my own grave then I'll gladly do it. I hope he'll bite to my plan.

"Well, uh yeah. Actually, I am Sakata Gintoki. And you said that you are Hamano Meiko right?" He clarified my name.

When I'm hearing that my name is Hamano Meiko, I felt chill run down to my spine. I think Hamano Meiko-san will haunt me later for using her name.

He sighed, "You're weird."

"H-Huh? No, I'm not! Anyway… I am H-Ha-Hamano M-M-" I was interrupted in the middle of my introduction. It's really weird to use this name.

"Why are you so oblivious of your name?! You do not like it or something?" He sighed more and continued, "Well, your name is striking since Hamano means hope, I think. And Meiko means a flower bud, that's already great unlike mine though."

I stared at him clueless. As expected of his first love, you even know the meaning of her name.

He stood up and greeted me, "Get some sleep, Hamano. Night!" He departed and closed the shoji door.

I did it right? I manage to fool him? Well of course, he is an idiot that's why! Hahahaha! As expected the master of disguises, Sakakibara Satsuki-sama! I plopped over my futon, having a staring contest with the ceiling. I cannot help but think what if… I'm… No way. I'll just sleep.

I woke up early than them. I guess they were sleepy heads. Knowing that my identity isn't revealed then I should repay them with a good breakfast. I fixed my futon as I head over the mirror in the room. Sighing, I guess even if they're guys they should find effort to look good, huh? In the midst of fixing my hair to braid, I saw my 'Hamano Meiko' appearance. I really look like a plain old gal. When I was about to leave my room I saw a red hair strand mixed with my hair. I thought that it was just a thread it appears that it's my hair strand. Like hell I care anyway, I just leave it there.

Walking all around the barracks, I guess that the year that I was brought in was when the Joui war was happening huh? Well as for my time, I think… Never mind… I do not want to bring up my past after all. Moving on, as a warrior they need strength to kill those amanto off. If it's strength then it should be meat!

Loitering around the hall, I got to find a katana for me to kill a boar, bear or whatever. There's a room beside me that I didn't notice at all. Maybe it belongs to one of the Jouishishi, huh? If the meal is for them then I can borrow a katana, right? Sliding the shoji door quietly hoping for the man not to wake up and I was pure unlucky that I happen to barge over Gintoki's room. I hope he doesn't wake up. If he does then he'll mistake me for a creepy stalker. No way in hell that I'll be stalking him! As swift as the raging Chita, I grabbed his katana and off I go.

The forest seems scary in the morning since it appears to be foggy. Well, I am here to payback the debt. For now, I'm not going to be a brave girl but rather a nerd girl who came to get some supplies that will be my character. I do not know how to get back from the present but I think this will be the best way since I do not know what to act in front of Gintoki in the present.

Time flew so fast that I manage to hunt 50 bears around the forest. Well it seems that 50 were enough. Since I'm already in the forest then I should gather fruits and firewood as well.

As I arrived in the hideout, I quickly headed to the kitchen quietly for them not to hear me doing this sort of things. I just realized that I'm like a housewife who's doing things for a large amount of troublesome kids.

Early in the morning, I cooked for the meals of the men as a way of giving thanks to them. I couldn't believe that I manage to live despite those injuries that I accumulated. Right now, I really miss the Yorozuya. But I do not know how to face them if I return back. Maybe they thought that I'm already dead that when they saw me, they might think that I'm a zombie. However, I even tell them that I'll be leaving the Yorozuya. I want to stay with them but fate kept on pulling us apart. I'm doing this for them… For them not to encounter Shiro…

After a few hours, I cooked rice and stew made out of bears. Somehow, cooking made me tired. Now I just have to serve it to them. I head over the dining hall and quietly serve it. I noticed that one by one, they're coming out from their rooms. I should hurry before Gintoki wakes up because I do not have the slightest clue on how to face his past identity.

When I finish the preparation, I quickly head over their rooms to get there laundry. But much to my distress, I was stopped by Sakamoto-san. Well, he really looks young now but I couldn't help but to sweat. I have no clue at all on how to act in this scene.

"Hey, girl! What's your name?" He asked with a large grin.

Much to my disgust to say my 'fake' name, I blurted out, "Hamano Meiko, sir." And because of my nervousness, I called him sir.

"No need to call me, sir Hamano-chan! I am Sakamoto Tatsuma, nice to meet you! Also, thank you for the breakfast." He said with a smile.

I gave out a smile as well. I do not why, but I think they didn't know about Hamano Meiko yet. I got this feeling that I'm maybe…really… No, no, no, no way. I headed out after thanking him and went inside their rooms. As soon as I garnered the clothes, I was about to quickly head out when my most terrifying person show up. Gintoki was awake already. I have to hurry! When I was about to leave the premises, Sakamoto -again- called for me, geez this good-for-nothing idiot.

I was surprised when he called me that I shifted my attention the group while adjusting my square-framed glasses. I need to leave this room! I was about to dash out when someone stopped me again! Just let me leave already!

"Err. Wait, where did you get the meat?" Gintoki asked.

Now the interrogation begins. I have no choice but to face this thoroughly. I immediately replied, "I haunted well…. 50 bears in the forest and at the same time got some firewood also. Anyway, I use your katana Gintoki...san." As always, I'm not use to call him with '—san 'after all.

"Is she an amazon?!"

"50 bears?!"

"What the heck is that?!"

Surprisingly, the amount of reactions poured all over the room since I did hunt 50 bears for the stew. What's wrong with that? At least, I manage to get them a breakfast.

"Oh! Impressive! Now you can join as a Joui!" Zura emitted.

Well, I do now want to even if you say—

"No way! Do not let other civilians get involve in here!" Gintoki reacted too much. Why is he so defensive about this? Of course, that's just a joke right? Why is he so pumped up?

"Instead of standing there, Hamano-san.. Join us!" Sakamoto urged.

"Ah. No, thanks!" I politely disagreed to his offer.

"Come on already! Do not be shy already. Well, we want to thank you because at last we had meat for our meal." Gintoki offered.

Well I should join the meal since they'll be suspecting me for someone more. So I accepted their offer, put down the basket and sat with them.

"Here. This is your share, young lady." One of their comrades offered me a cup of rice and stew.

I am also hungry since I haven't eaten a single bite as well. So I mumbled a 'thank you' and started to dig in.

"Oh, miss. I forgot we do not know about your name so may I ask what your name is. By the way, I am Katsura Kotarou." Zura acquaint with.

I am sure that they haven't met Hamano Meiko so I abruptly introduce my name, ""Hamano Meiko." But I couldn't help but feel this, strange feeling on my chest at all. Does really Hamano Meiko exist?

"Takasugi Shinsuke."

"Sakata Gintoki."

"Well, I am Sakamoto Tatsuma! Nice to meet you!"

I nodded into their introductions and ate the food. For me it'll be best if I kept up the silent type of girl to avoid more accusations. I better shut my mouth about me. After eating the Joui proceeded to think about their strategy to fight the amanto. While they're at it, I figure out that my cover wasn't blown so I pull out Sakamoto-san out from the group because it seems that he is the most approachable guy here.

"Hey, Sakamoto-san… Do you know a person with a same n-name like me?" I asked.

Now I'm jumping into a pile of traps, I am curious about her! Come on, Sakamoto-san! Tell me… You know her right? My eyes were fixated to him as he thinks deeply.

"Nope."

"Eh?"

"I haven't met a person like you nor with the same name. Ask the other patriots here if they met someone like you."

I nodded in dissatisfaction. He hasn't met anyone like me?

"Umm. Do not get the wrong idea but did Gintoki…san fell in love before or he hasn't?" I am embarrassed with what I stated. But I do now want to confuse myself with Hamano Meiko! I mean, i-it can't be, right?

"Eh? You like Kintoki?" He teased.

I rattled back, "Of course not! But just please… I'm just curious that's all."

"Well, nope. He hasn't… I think he is focused to protecting on what he is protecting that's all." He stated and flees.

I couldn't take it anymore. No way. There's no way! I glance over the group as I sighed. I couldn't join them since I am playing the silent type, shy, gentle girl in short my total opposite. So I head out of the barracks to gather food for us.

Time flies so fast. In the middle of gathering food, firewood and fruits I think about the mystery of Gintoki's past and of course I won't give up Hamano Meiko's identity. I'm not convinced with that statement that it might be that I'm Hamano Meiko, it can't be. But remembering Sakamoto-san's statement when I'm in the present made me anxious… It's just that I can't imagine that Gintoki fell in love to me!

Wandering over the forest, I didn't notice which path I took to. Without noticing, I saw a sunflower field within me and a maple tree up ahead in the hill.

"Beautiful…" I went up ahead to the field. Seeing it made me feel in awe and wanted to stay here for a while to relief my stress about Hamano Meiko's true identity. Somehow, it feels like this sunflower field makes me brighter and filled with hope. Thus, I call this place, Fields of Hope.

It seems that no one is here so without any hindrances I shouted on top of my lungs, "AAAAAAAAAH!"

"I AM NOT HAMANO MEIKO!"

..right?

Author's Note:

It's been a while since the time I have updated. Thank you for the support! As for Guest's question to me:

"What regular cast member in gintama do you find hard to write?"

A: Every character of them. HAHAHAHAHAHAH. I'm just a newbie so do not expect me to write them in their true selves but rather OOC ones.

That's all!