The Third Leg of a Crow

by ninjapanda16

It isn't a passing whisper that catches his attention. In fact there is nothing soft in the way he learns about the 'Corpse Eating Demon'. Shouyou came across the Corpse Eating Demon, only it was a white haired, crimson eyed, female child. Female!Gintoki. Editing In Progress. Chapter 1 and 2 Edit Uploaded.

4. Ch 4: The Demon's Gamble

Gintama: The Third Leg of a Crow

General Fic Warning: Genderbend, Female!Gintoki, Whole series spoilers, AU, OOCness, Not as humorous as Sorachi-Sensei's work - or anywhere near, Lack of fourth wall breaking, Any and all other Gintama warnings apply, Swearing, Child abuse, Darker then canon(?), Mentions of; beheadings, organ removal(hinted), blood, war,

Summary:

It isn't a passing whisper that catches his attention. In fact there is nothing soft in the way he learns about the 'Corpse Eating Demon'.
Shouyou still came across the Corpse Eating Demon, only it was a white haired, red eyed female child.

Title: The title of this fic comes from Japanese mythology of a flying creature depicted as a three-legged crow called Yatagarasu, (八咫烏, "eight-span crow") which is seen as evidence of the Will of Heaven and is symbolised as a form of guidance from Heaven.

Disclaimer: I don't know Japanese nor do I get half the references in this insaneness, stands to say that I don't own Gintama in any way, shape or form.

Gintama belongs to Sorachi-Sensei, our wonderful Gorilla who gifted us with this work of art!

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

The Demon's Gamble

Edit: 19/03/17

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Tired crimson and navy blue blinked at the hands that were cuffed together before both Hijikata and Gintoki rounded on Okita.

"Hey, what's this, Okita-kun?"

"Why are you cuffing me?!"

"I'm going back to my post now." Okita turned around.

"Eh?!"

Not wanting to let the teenage Taichou get away without answers, Gintoki lifted an arm over Okitas' head and rounded around him until she stood in front of him, Hijikata being dragged along. "Okita-kun! You can't be serious!"

"What are you thinking?! Get these off of us!" Hijikata hissed from his uncomfortable position behind Sougo.

Gintoki blinks tired crimson eyes as Okita ducks under hers and Hijikatas' conjoined arms. "Don't you think," the sandy hair coloured teen started as he walks further down the alleyway only pausing to turn his head towards the two, grin in place, "It's more fun this way."

The two cuffed together shared a blink at the teenager before Hijikata snaps, "Fine, just give me the key!"

Okita paused again, his head tilting in the way of thought before he drops a bottle of mayonnaise to the ground.

"I said key! Not mayonnaise!"

Okita kept his head tilted to the side. "What are you talking about? Aren't you always keen about mayonnaise?"

"Clever. Very clever." Gintoki twitched, her hands gripping around the chains holding her and the Shinsengumi Fukuchou together "But we don't have time for puns right now."

"Then, take care of yourselves."

Panic clouding her already sleepy mind, Gintoki twisted at the chains holding her, the sudden movement catching Hijikata by surprise and causing him to stumble, which in turn, pulled them both to the dirt covered floor. "Itai…" The silver head grumbled, running a hand through scruff hair only pausing to snap her head towards the alleyways exit and finding Okita gone. "Okita-kun! Okita-kun!" Gintoki dropped her head when it came apparent that Sougo wasn't going to return, "Damn it, what a shitty day."

Hijikata twitched, "This wouldn't've happened if you didn't show up!"

Gintoki also twitched, "You were peeping on people, sexual harasser-san!"

"I was doing my job, unlike some people!"

Gintoki kicked her foot out, digging it into Hijikatas' chest "Don't talk about which you don't know!"

Hijikata pulled his arms back towards himself, causing the silver head to wince when her arms where pulled further then they could stretch, "What's there not to understand?! You don't do anything!"

Silver and black met as Gintoki pushed herself up to head-butt the Shinsengumi Fukuchou. "And how would you know that?! You adding stalking to your profile, huh?! Stalker sexual harasser-san?!"

"I don't do any of those!"

"Coulda' fooled me!"

Navy blue and crimson locked, the two opposites clicked their tongues and twisted their heads away from the other. "Don't look at me."

The alley was silent once more in the early hours of the day, until movement caught the corner of Hijikata's eye. "Damn it!" He pushed himself up to make his way to follow his suspect he's been staking out on.

The chains rattled.

And Hijikata's back met the floor when the top half of his body didn't follow his lower like it was meant to. "The hell you doing?!" He snapped at the silver head after a moment of dazed vision.

"Thinking we should head to the Shinsengumi headquarters." Gintoki voice was bland as fish-like crimson eyes blinked slowly down at the floored Shinsengumi member, tiredness echoing under the dull eyes in deep bags. "Ain't keeping these on any longer then I have to." She moved her arms, causing the chains to rattle.

"Forget about that! We've been chasing this Joui member for a month!"

"And what's an hour added onto that?" She asked, her voice still not gaining a cent of emotion "Okita-kun is around. And if you don't think he'll follow the guy, call someone else. Or don't you have a guy on standby in case something happens?"

"Why do you think it's taken us a month to get this far? There are other assignments!"

Gintoki crossed her legs as she seated herself onto the floor by Hijikata's head, allowing herself the motion of rubbing the heel of her palms into her eyes. "I'm too tired for this shit."

"Oi…"

A sigh came from the silver heads lips, crimson eyes stayed firmly shut. "You got shit to do. I got shit to do. All I ask is that you give up a little bit of time to get these off of us." She shook their hands again, making chains rattle, "If you lose him during this time spent getting these things off, give me his name and face and I'll find him for you, free of charge."

Hijikata stayed quiet and let navy blue eyes close. "…Fine." He shifted, uncomfortable with the situation, "Come on, get up so I can get up and we get these things off of us."

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

You fancy yourself being called teacher, eyy?

Heh.

How pathetic.

There are things a teacher should never do.

Prey on students.

Bring harm to students.

Use students.

Make students cry.

There are things a teacher should always do.

Teach students how to read and write.

Give students a roof to live under if they ever need it.

Put the lives of their students first.

Smile for the students.

And.

Wipe their tears away.

You fancy calling yourself a teacher.

Don't make me laugh.

You forced her to learn survival on her own.

You left her alone while you were still drawing breath.

You failed at making a weapon for your own gain.

You brought harm to the one you call a student.

You aren't a teacher.

You don't have the strength to shoulder a student and their pain.

You're only a coward.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Did Gin-san say where she was going?

Na-ah, Gin-chan just left a note saying she'll be back in a few days.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

I didn't think I would find you here of all places.

You're not the only one. I didn't think I would ever come back here.

Something happened.

…Hmm.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

'Ou want to know who's the strongest 'erson in Kabuki-chou?

'Ou must be new in town.

You won't last long with that attitude 'round 'ere.

This town is on a whole diff'ent level to what a pretty face like 'ou would be used to.

Thugs, brawlers, vigs, vets, n' the lot of Edo gather 'ere.

A 'aven for 'ooligans.

For your own good. 'Ave a drink n' go back to the countryside.

'Ou won't leave it alone, eyy? The top dogs 'round 'ere are four monsters in 'heir own right.

Fearsome Deity, Mademoiselle Saigou.

Doromizu Jirochou the Gallant.

Kujaku Hime Kada.

Empress Otose.

Between 'em, are four fractions in a stalemate, keeping the balance of power 'round 'ere "equal".

As for 'ich one will win in a fight? Who knows?

Saigou and Jirochou 'ere in the Joui war. Heroes, they called 'em.

'Ey're older now though.

Otose and Kada? Ba, 'on't know either. But 'eople lis'en to 'em.

But 'ere are other strong folk 'round.

Kurogoma Katsuo, a leader in Doromizu's faction. He's the most feared man in the Kabuki-chou now.

'Ou'll find former Joui members with Saigou's fraction.

N' 'ere are rumours of Kada's faction 'aving 'ome crazy folk.

As for Otose's… 'ell, it's just a Snack Bar. She's just an old lady with a soft heart.

But, if anyone tries anythin' funny on her turf, 'ey'll meet a certain woman.

Rumoured to be able to 'old 'erself against the Big Three all on 'er own.

She's one 'ell of a monster with 'air as silver as the moon.

A demon.

Sakata Gintoki.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Shinpachi blinked at the orange head sitting across from a grumpy and tired looking Kagura who had yet to tame her bed hair nor change clothes. Sadaharu sat behind the young Yato.

"I thought Gin-san said to not let anyone in when she's not here…"

Bright blue instantly fell onto the glasses wearing teen and Kagura vaulted over to him. "Shinpachi! Make her go away!" She pointed at the girl. "She wouldn't stop hitting the door last night and when I told her Gin-chan isn't here she just barged in! And she keeps coming back in no matter how many times I kick her out!"

That explained the ruined door and hole in the window. "Ah, excuse me?" Shinpachi turned coffee coloured eyes back to the orange head. "I do have to ask you to leave. Gin-san isn't here, so we can't take any jobs."

"I'm not here for a job."

Kagura growled and would have jumped the orange head had Shinpachi not curled his arms around hers. "Then what are you doing in Gin-chan's home?!"

"I want to know the strength of the strongest person in Kabuki-chou, Sakata Gintoki."

Bright blue and coffee brown blinked.

"Eh?"

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Otose eyed the orange head – Chin Pirako, she introduced herself as – and tapped her smouldering cigarette over an ash tray. "You're from a gang?"

Kagura pauses in her eating to look at Otose while Shinpachi settled his glass onto the bar top.

The older female placed the cigarette back to her lipstick covered lips and took a breath. Thin smoke was puffed out of lungs, "I've heard the rumours. The Uekicachi gang was having a business quarrel with Jirochou's people. When a fight broke out, there was a crazy girl who manage to bring an end to it all, all by her lonesome. Rumour calls her Pirako the Assassin."

"Ehh?!" Shinpachi snapped his coffee coloured eyes to dark purple. "A-Assassin?!"

Pirako placed her hands to the sides of her cheeks, eyes closing as she started to swoon as though love-struck on her bar seat. A small tint of pink covering her cheeks. "Oh, stop. All I wanted to do was decorate them with flowers." Dark purple eyes opened and locked onto the gaping Shinpachi, "Did you know? The more malicious someone is, the more beautiful flowers they make." She interlocked her fingers and looked up, "When I cut them, they always bloom into pretty, red flowers."

Shinpachi twitched as he turned back to Otose. "A-And why did you come here?"

Pirako gave off an innocent smile that didn't seem all that innocent. "To see the strength of the strongest person in Kabuki-chou, Sakata Gintoki. But it seems that I've come at a bad time. Oh!" Dark purple eyes blink before they fell close again and she gave the same smile while clapping her hands in front of herself. "And to turn the town where Jirochou is, Kabuki-chou into a garden of bright red flowers!"

Shinpachi made a face.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Scarlet peeked out from under a red sleeping mask with cartoonish eyes printed on them, Okita sat himself up on the park bench he had taken to having a nap on. "Hey, China." He drawled out, putting a halt to the two Yorozuya members task of walking the overgrown puppy the Yato owns.

Kagura sneered, a small sign of bags hanging under her eyes. "What?"

He pulled his sleeping mask off completely and scratched at sand coloured hair. "Eh? Is it that time of the month already?"

The Yato growled, the grip on her umbrella tightening but she didn't move to attack, weather it was because Shinpachi held a hand on her shoulder or because someone else attacked instead, Okita didn't know but he did dive to roll away from the now broken in half bench, he held a hand above his sheathed katana as he twisted to let scarlet eyes fall onto the head of orange.

Before either of the two parties could attack each other, Kagura's foot snapped up into the orange heads' face, "Stop following us!" The older female teen was sent into a tree and Kagura pointed her umbrella at her, "We told you, we don't know when Gin-chan'll be back!" With that she turned and stormed off in an angry huff, Sadaharu dogging her and Shinpachi following shortly after a moment of hesitation.

Okita lifted his stance, his hand gripping around the sheath of his sword and scarlet eyes watched the orange head breathe, but otherwise not move.

'Danna?'

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

I apologise for taking up your time. But you will have to wait a little longer. We are missing a member.

You mean Jirochou? There's no point in that. It's been two to three years since anyone has last saw him.

I was hoping to have all four Devas present for this discussion. I called you here for one reason. You are probably aware that the town has grown tense over the past few years. If nothing is done, a war will break out. I am sure that nobody wishes for that to happen, yes?

Are you listening to yourself? You and Jirochou are the ones making the ripples. It used to be that the casinos in this town were run by Jirochou's fraction. But you went and built one here anyway.

The same could be said of you, Saigou. I have heard tales. Tales of you sheltering Joui patriots and rogue warriors.

Huh?

Your members may dress oddly, but that does not hide the fact that each one of them are dangerous. Do you plan on using their strength to create an empire of transgenders?

There you go again! I'm only offering a home to those who have no place to go to. It's people like you-!

The fact remains that you have repeatedly refuse to accept the demands of Jiochou's fraction. And Otose…

I have no interest in your stupid fight, and I won't be involved in it.

You may have no interest, you may not want to be involved. But, you have always been a great influence on this town. I have heard that you listen to the problems of you customers and offer counselling-

Is there something wrong in having a heart?

-And your pawns in that sketchy Yorozuya group provided the necessary assistance. They been running wild across my territory.

I never knew I had pawns I could odder around. I also never knew that this town had been divided into territories. This town doesn't belong to anyone. We simply live our lives here. That's all.

However, some are not satisfied by that. These days, we are known as the Four Devas who work together to run this town, but did it not all begin with the rise of a new faction, a group of hooligans? There is no reason for us to fight. After all, is our enemy not Jirochou?

I see. So, the three of you are teaming up to get rid of the obstacle, me.

Well, well.

You're…

Sorry to keep you waiting. The obstacle has arrived.

Jirochou…

Don't mind me. Do carry on. I believe the three of you were talking about teaming up to get rid of me?

We never said anything of the like. I simply mentioned that our wish to avoid any pointless conflict was being ruined by and unstoppable loose cannon.

I would take him out. Some fools in this world can only be cured by death. But I wouldn't arrange a meeting like this. Look. You are all lined up for my blade to be rid of your heads. One of the Kujaku-hime's pets?

Stand down. He is merely joking.

No, he made the correct decision. This pet of yours was trained well to be able to detect my hostility. Unfortunately, I'm getting old, so I have trouble controlling my piss and my hostility. I've already sheathed my blade, but it's still trickling out… case in point. You didn't notice me cutting you down now, did you?

A burst of blood and an arm landed on the floor with a clatter of swords and the doors where pushed in.

I said stop this!

What do you think you're doing to the boss?!

You've shown your true colours! You won't lay a finger on Mama!

There was a creak of wood and a stone statue was tipped over.

You were eavesdropping on the conversation between ladies? You best be ready to have your balls tipped out!

Stand down, boys.

Boss!

The statue shattered.

Ordinary humans have no place here.

Good grief. How do you intend to stop these monsters? If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them. I have one living on my second floor.

As you saw, power can only be restrained by more power. Here is my proposal. The factions of the Four Devas are not allowed to engage in personal fights. The faction which breaks this rule will be crushed by the other three.

So in the end, it'll still be the three of you teaming up against me? You think you can take my balls by teaming up?

Do not get the wrong idea. This rule is to prevent further conflict.

The town will be a dull place if nobody can fight.

If that's the only way to avoid a war, then so be it.

Are you sane? Very well. It'll be a test of endurance. Try not to screw up before I do.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

"Why did you kick him Kagura-chan?!"

Kagura turned her nose up, "He made me drop my sukonbu!"

Both Shinpachi and Kagura jumped and levered themselves onto the back of Sadaharu as one of the yakuza members tried to make a nab for them.

"How are we meant to explain this to Otose-san?"

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Pirako frowns.

The only signs of silver hair anywhere were that of bad dye jobs, members of an older generation and the overgrown puppy with two people riding it that were being chased by a group of yakuza.

None of them was Sakata Gintoki.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Katsura held up a closed fist, causing Gintoki to stop short and the pair pressed their backs to the shipping containers.

"-aw has been set."

"So if any factions starts a fight with another faction, the two other factions will join the one side to destroy the one at fault?"

"The old hag's faction was starting shit up today. Would it count?"

"Think so, we got enough eye witnesses to say the girl started it."

"It's too bad we couldn't find Sakata Gintoki, we could've used her help in making Jirochou the big, big boss."

"Young lady… For around ten years, she was the only one in Otose's faction. It's why there are the rumours about her being able to take all of Kabuki-chou without any issue. I doubt she would have taken to betraying Otose."

"There's also rumours that Otose saved Sakata-san from the brink of death…"

"Maybe it's a good thing she isn't in town."

"I just want to see the old Jirochou. I want to help make some pretty flowers bloom in my old man."

With another sign from Katsura, the two silently made their way back from where they came from. And once they knew they were out of hearing rang and then some, Gintoki hit a container.

"Gintoki…"

"Sorry Zura…"

Gintoki ran.

Katsura followed

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

I see… Very well. Don't worry. That was Gintoki. She's heading back now.

Do you think she'll be able to help sort this out?

Gin-chan could have called before, why didn't she?

It's normal for her not to call during trips she takes suddenly. As for sorting this out… You haven't eaten since yesterday, right?

Now that you mention it, with all the running around we were doing yesterday, we didn't exactly have time to eat, but now that everything has cooled off, I'm starting to feel it.

Why don't we go grab something to eat then?

Can we?!

Go on ahead. I need to write a note in case we are out later then then planned.

A note?

For Gintoki.

Don't take too long. We'll wait for you before we start eating.

Does ice-cream count?

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Rain fell.

Colourless water pooled.

Red fell.

Colourless water tainted.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Wine coloured eyes watch the shoulders of the drenched silver head stop heaving – only glancing away for a moment when another set off feet come to a stop behind the female looking at the grave the older female was bleeding out on.

"You're Gintoki?" Jirochou asked over the sound of heavy rain. The long haired male twists and his hand snaps to the katana's hilt at his side, shoulders raising in tension, but still twitching from the need to gain oxygen back into lungs. Jirochou's attention didn't stray from the silver head who didn't so much as twitch at the sound of his voice.

"You were a step too late. I buried her with her husband. Funny how it works. I believe that you were her bodyguard to pay back a debt? That's over now. You job is done. Scram. I'll spare your life for her sake." There's a sudden pain in his cheek and he was sent through a headstone and into another.

Jirochou groans as he sets himself up, wine coloured eyes watching the direction he was sent flying from. "The hell was that?" He blinks and his attention is on the woman that's suddenly in front of him.

Wine locked onto crimson.

In smooth motion Jirochou semi-unsheathed his sword, got up and blocked Gintoki's overhead strike.

The bokken rattled against metal.

"Gintoki!" both silver heads ignored Katsura.

"Not bad, kid. You made me draw my sword. But, are you willing to let Otose's sacrifice to save your lives…" wine narrows, "Go to waste?" Jirochou pushed back and swiped his sword out, causing Gintoki to jump back.

A hand wraps around Gintoki's sword arm, making both sides come to a pause. "Gintoki." Katsura's voice was firm and caramel eyes watched as Gintoki pulled at her arm, they both knew she could easily pull away from the grip. They both knew that he knows a number of other ways to immobilise her. "You saw where he cut, it's not fatal."

Jirochou's eyebrows rise in interest.

"I know." Gintoki growled out.

"What do you gain then? Someone like him won't make such a mistake." Katsura pressed, "We don't even know the full story."

Gintoki gritted her teeth, but her arm went lax in the others grip.

Jirochou lifted his stance up slightly, but he held tight onto his sword. "From the stories that I heard, I didn't think the Shiroyasha could be this easy to tame." He brought his sword up, just making it to stop the blow of the bokken, but it still cause him to step with the attack to keep his balance.

Wine eyes narrowed.

Katsura blankly looks at the hand he was opening and closing before he turned his look towards the older man and held up his opening and closing hand, making a point on what he just did. "Oh? My hand slipped."

Jirochou smirked. "You're also one of the kids that followed my footsteps. So, which of the three other freaks are you?"

Katsura didn't answer until he gripped Gintoki's arm again, lowering her right arm. "I'm Katsura Kotarou."

"The Rampaging Noble."

Katsura let out a sigh that was eaten by the rain, "After we get Otose-san to the hospital, would you tell us what's happening here?"

An aged brow rises, causing Katsura to snort softly, "We'll be getting other sides of the story too. But you have the best information that we can get our hands on at this point in time."

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

We appreciate your cooperation. It won't be long before Jirochou's faction and Kada-sama control Kabuki-chou.

Nonsense. You are merely using me to help your father take over the world, are you not?

I could say the same to you, Kada-sama. But, the collar around my Rouji's neck has been released. The one who took away the flowers and freedom from Rouji has been killed by Rouji's hand. I'm sure that my Rouji will now-

Pay more attention to you? I have a feeling that you are the only one who can breathe easy now, yes? You must be overjoyed to know the woman who stole your father from you is dead.

Oh? And this is why I hate women. Always so suspicious.

Yet you had it in your head you could trick Otose's pet?

Details, details. Anyway, all you need to do is take care of Saigou's kid. You never know when someone will stab you in the back.

Pirako… Jirochou does not see you. You may eliminate everyone who gets in your way. You may spend your entire life devoted to him. But, you must know that he will never tur-

My, could you cut that out, Kada-sama? If you don't shut your mouth, I'll have to soil some flowers, Baa-baa.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Gintoki picked at her nails, "So, your kid is just attention starved and Kusoge-Hime wants to make like the Ero-Yato and rule Kabuki-chou?" She gasped dramatically when Katsura dug his elbow into her side which, in turn, earned her a cuff to the head.

The three stood further down the hospital wing to Otose's room where Catherine, Tama, Shinpachi and Kagura where floating about, having been kicked out of the room to let the doctors and nurses have more space to look over the aged lady. Stress already forming bags under three of four sets of eyes.

"I'm surprised to see you here in one piece, Jirochou."

Three sets of eyes turned to the new comer, and Saigou's eyes light up when his own eyes land on Katsura.

"Zurako!" Two shades of red blink and the transgender is holing Katsura into a hug.

"Dare I ask?" Jiroachou's voiced.

Gintoki grunted, her attention returning to her nails, "Zura acts more like a girl than I do. Don't know how people wear kimonos, they feel suffocating to me."

"That's because you didn't grow up in them." Katsura snuffs, not turning his gaze away from the reflecting glass of a door window in favour of patting his hair back into place.

Two silver eyebrows arched at the long haired samurai for two completely different reasons. It took a moment for Gintoki to tear her gaze away from the youngest male to point fish-like eyes towards Saigou before nodded her head to the bunch of shirayuris in the transgenders' hand. "You here to see Baa-baa?"

Saigou inclined his own head of light coloured hair as he passes the white coloured flowers to Gintoki. "And to inform you Ginko, that the day after tomorrow, your place will be destroyed by the Four Devas."

There was four intakes of breath behind the group that had taken up arms during the war.

"What?!" Shinpachi demands as he walks up to the group, hands balled at his side before he landed one on Gintoki's shoulder to pull the female out of his way, coffee coloured eyes glaring.

"I'm not going to apologise." Saigou turned his head up, "There was nothing I could do. And there's nothing I can do now. The entire Kabuki-chou is against Otose's faction, which is what everyone identifies you as."

"They took your kid hostage." There was a flash of tension in Saigou's form and a smirk pulled at Gintoki's lips. Carelessly, she tossed the bunch of shirayuris from one hand to the other, drawing the attention from both groups in the hospital wing. "That's why you're not fighting back. You wouldn't care for some measly law that Kusoge-Hime cooked up unless there was something held above your head."

Gintoki pulled a single shirayuri out of the dozen and rolled the stem between her fingers "How 'bout we make a gamble of our own?"

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

How did it feel to cut down the woman you loved?

How did it feel to manipulate a bunch of old men and women?

That's a bit harsh. After all, I did it all for you sake.

Next, you'll have Saigou destroy Otose's Bar.

That's not happening now, now is it?

Hmm?

You couldn't kill the woman you loved. And you never intended to cut Anego down in the first place.

You were watching, and you've grown fond of someone you've never talked to.

I was watching. Who wouldn't grow a liking towards someone like her? Never chained down. She does only as she wants. Untameable. It'll be sad, but also beautiful, the day she makes a crimson flower. You and her are a lot alike... I'll follow you no matter the rampage you make. I promised to help you. So tell me, what is this gamble you are taking?

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

"This town looks pretty meek when there's nobody around."

"Makes it easier for your daughter to do her job. The red light district will soon be a playground for children."

Jirochou scoffed lightly, wine coloured eyes watching the empty streets. "You mean it'll be the hunting ground for a certain vixen."

Kada lifted her fan to her mouth, hiding the smirk she couldn't keep down, "Are you here to keep an eye on me?"

"You think I would miss the chance to watch the one that rumour praise of being able to take down the Four Devas on all by herself, to come all the way out here just to waste my time on you?"

Orange eyes narrow.

"I'm here to catch a vixens head." Jirochou inhaled from the pipe in his hand and white smoke drifts from his mouth a moment later. "You used a kid to set off a war in this town and manipulated the Four Devas into wearing each other down so you could strike the last blow and take control of this town. That's the gist of your plan."

Kada let out a giggle. "But it is too late. Those pathetic monkeys are being crushed as we speak. Your daughter included."

"Oi, Ganguro Jii-jii." Kada's eyes widened and with a snap of her head, she twisting to look at the younger silver head leaning on the frame of the open sliding door, one armed crossed over her midsection – the other lightly tossing a jutte – two swords sat at her hip – one of wood, the other metal, "You goin' blind in your old age? Foxes are smart and tricky creatures." Gintoki caught the jutte one last time – just as a number of Shinra's dropped into the room – with one last look at the weapon, Gintoki tucked it into the folds of her yukata. "I don't see any here."

Crimson and wine met and the two silver heads share a smirk across the Amanto filled room.

Jirochou let his wine coloured eyes fall close. "That so?" He waited for a second before opening his eyes again. "Hmm, you're right. A fox wouldn't be caught dead in such a simple trap."

Gintoki moved her attention onto the blue haired Amanto. "Captain of the fourth squad of the Harusame pirates, Kada. You need to bet more on the table if you want a lick of a chance in taking over our Kabuki-chou."

Movement caught Kada's attention and she snaps orange eyes over to Jirochou who pulled away from the red railing to let the gambler see the crowded streets surrounding the casino. On top of one of the taller buildings stood Otose, a smouldering cigarette pulled away from lipstick covered lips and Pirako stood on equal ground, a bright smile held in place while a hand waved enthusiastically up at the top floor of the casino.

Jirochou let himself give a quick wave towards his daughter, pipe at his lips once again and white smoke drifted into the air, swirling in the currents of wind before dispersing. "This town isn't one to go down without a fight."

Wooded floor boards creak as Gintoki rightens herself up. "Say, Jii-jii…?" She called out, bring more attention to herself as she ran a hand through messy locks of hair.

Jirochou tapped his pipe on the red painted railing he leaned on, releasing the ash from its confinements and onto roof tiles. "What, Gingaki?" The older silver head pulled a white cloth out and gently wrapped the smoking pipe up in it before tucking it away.

She couldn't help but let out a whistle, her lips pulling up in to a half formed smile. A hand wrapped around the hilt of Terada's sword, causing the tension in the room to rise and Gintoki watches as Jirochou followed with thumbing his own katana out of its sheath slightly. "That one's a new one. But, then again, I guess I haven't met as many people as old as you who are willing to trade insults."

Jirochou puffed out a laugh, own lips pulling up into a smirk as he fell into a familiar stance, "Live long enough Gaki and we'll work out who has the better insults."

Gintoki felt her lips lift up higher, "Cut down everything that moves?"

"The last one standing is the winner. Nice and simple."

"You had bad grades didn't you?"

"Not as bad as yours Kusogaki."

Kada let her foot hit the floor loudly in an attempt to bring attention to herself, orange eyes darting between the two silver heads. "Do you not realise the situation you are in? You are finished!"

Wine and crimson met again.

The two silver heads stepped forward.

Blood and bodies fly into the air.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Gintoki dug the borrowed sword into the neck of the Shinra that managed to stab her leg, she twists her body and pushes her weight onto the sword, digging it further into flesh while she lifted her booted feet up to plant into two other members of the Shinra race, knocking them away. Grimacing as she landed on her wounded leg causing it to buckle out from under her, Gintoki twisted to land on her back instead of her front. Taking a breath, she brought her wounded leg up and ripped the sword out of her limb before she threw herself into a sideways roll, dodging two swords that were aiming to kill at her. Rolling over one of the many dead bodies of the Shinra race cladding the floor, Gintoki gripped onto a blade that belonged to one of the dead and swiped both blood covered blades up to dig them into two warm bodies as she pushs herself up into a crouch.

She twisted.

Red covered white.

Jirochou swings his sheath up, knocking the blunt object into a bandage chin of a Shinra behind him before his arm slashed out at the Amanto in front of him. Blood bursts into the air from a wounded shoulder and broken metal fell to the crowded ground of blood and bodies. He turned to rip his sword through an outstretched arm before he snaps a foot to the side, sending the now one armed Shinra into two other Amanto. A moment later and Jirochou dug his sword into a neck of pale purple where bandage hands grasped around the sharpened metal, causing wine eyes to widen as the older fighter angled his body slightly, avoiding his neck meeting the sharp kiss of a blade.

His sheath met an eye.

Red sprayed out.

With blood decorating the two humans in the room, Kada watches with horror and sickened eyes as the group of Shinras – a warrior race of Amanto – was killed off with ease.

"Fr-Freaks…"

The two human backs met with each other. The younger samurai spat mixed blood out of her mouth and on to the pooling red on the floor, the dribble of red drawing more attention to the smirking and stained lips of the female fighter. The older samurai's smirk echoes the youngers' but instead of blood drawing attention to it, it was the action of him re-sheathing his sword, no one was fooled into attacking.

Two shades of red turned to Kada, forcing her to hold down a whimper as she flinches back. Lifting her hand up, she couldn't hide the shake in her voice as she gave her next command, "Ki-Kill them! Kill them in the name of the Harusame!"

The next wave of Shinra jumped the two humans.

Gintoki arm snapped out to grab the arm of the first Amanto that reached them, with practiced ease, she twisted it, both disarming the attacker and bringing him in the line of an attack. With her empty hand, she grips onto a shoulder and hauls herself over the dying Shinra, letting her gain an advantage in her next attack. She lets her heeled boot dig into a bandage face while her sword pierced through the soft flesh of a neck. Twisting, Gintoki's blade is removed from the neck of the dying Shinra as her feet land onto the slippery floor before they were parting to let Gintoki gain better balance to stab an airborne Shinra. Ignoring the metal digging into her side, she pulls her sword back with a little more force than needed to be removed from a body and dug the butt of the hilt into the skull of pale purple. Cracking it.

Jirochou swipes at the two that reached him first, before moving to the next lot. Removing them from battle with quick, clean cuts.

Those who manage to wound the two silver heads were quick to be dealt with, never to see the light of the fading day.

Orange eyes watch the two remove the last of the attacking Shinra before Kada dropped her gaze onto the blood pooled on the floor. Maniac laughter burst from the Kujaku-hime as she lifted her feathered fan at the two, "Finish them!" She ordered.

The last two Shinra ran at the struggling humans, but with a war cry, their lives were also brought to an end.

Sweat feel from Kada's skin as orange eyes watch the still standing humans pant. "Im-Impossible! There are only two of them! They could not have taken down my elite soldiers." She backed away from the two samurai. "Impossible… Impossible…" She squeaks when the two manage to take a step forward, crimson and wine burning. "St-Stay back! St-Stay away!" She flinches when she backed up into the red railing, eyes suddenly darting over to the gather group of people she vaguely remembered.

Gritting her teeth, Kada turned to glare at the two silver heads, hiding a small flinch at the two glowing shades of red aimed at her. "The Harusame will return this favour!"

With no need to stick around the vixen walked.

"H-Hold it!" Gintoki gritted out, exhaustion pulling at her as she took a step. Too much for her body to handle, the younger silver head collapsed onto the blood soaked floor, causing red to seep into already stained fabric.

Jirochou followed.

Swords clattered.

The two blood covered fighters held no clue as to how long they spent pressed onto the floor but it was Jirochou who pushed himself up first with visible effort, only to end up turning on to his back when it came apparent that he wouldn't be able to finish sitting up. "All of that effort to chase a vixen wanna-be out of town." He huffs an airy laugh. "I'm old enough as it is. I don't need to get any older." Wine coloured eyes fell close. "You young'ns are disappointing." Jirochou paused in his babbling to attempt at pushing himself into a sitting position again, this time he manages to sit up, "When I was a young lad…"

"And how many centuries ago was that?" Gintoki asked, a smirk pulling tiredly at her lips as she forces her crimson eyes to open as she pushed herself up to sit on the floor, a hand absently coming up to uselessly brush mix blood from her cheek.

"Cheeky brat." Jirochou smiled as he pulled his pipe out and nostalgia filled wine eyes lock onto it softly, "I don't want to get any older." He turns his look to the younger silver head who finished pulling herself up to stand. Both people ignored that white and silver where no longer white and silver. "Hey, Gingaki."

Crimson and wine met.

"Is that his jutte? Why do you have it?"

Gintoki watched as Jirochou prepared the pipe before she turned crimson onto the sunset, "I made a one-sided promise, and then I swiped it."

Jirochou smirked as smoke drifted into the death filled air. "Heh. No tact kid. Same here." He took a puff of the pipe, "Whenever I smoke, the memories come back. I used to watch from behind as he walked around, fiddling with his jutte in his right hand and smoking this pipe with his left. It was rather striking to see him with Kabuki-chou as his background. He loved this town, and I'm sure this town loved him."

Gintoki's smiled softly in return, "We can smoke and fiddle with a jutte, but we can never be like him."

He grunts as he turns his seating arrangement to face the younger samurai, "He died the way he lived. Like a man, who sacrificed his life for someone like me, leaving his loved ones behind." Wine coloured eyes narrow. "I killed him. So I gave up on being a man, on being a human, in order to protect what he left behind. Even if the town hated me for it…"

Gintoki didn't say anything.

"She's always been a pain in the arse. Squawking in my ear whenever I did something." Jirochou smiled again as memories filtered through his head.

She let out a fond scoff, "Must be a curse of having silver hair. Zura squawks too."

"Not Zura! It's Katsura!" Both crimson and wine turn to look at the long haired samurai leaning on the open door with raised eyebrows. Katsura snorted softly when he noticed the attention fall on him and he turned his nose up into the air.

"See?" Gintoki jabbed a thumb at the – presumably – younger samurai, a grin pulling at her lips, showing red tainted teeth.

Jirochou snorted and he felt himself fully relax. "My resolve would waver when I saw her." He continued, "I'm watching the two of you now and I feel like going back to being the old Jirochou." Wine coloured eyes fell back onto Gintoki, "You're still getting in my way, Tatsugorou." He lifted himself off of the blood soaked ground and Gintoki turned away from the fading sun. "Let's settle this once and for all. We'll see who's worthy of inheriting his pipe and jutte."

Caramel eyes turn back onto the two silver heads as Gintoki pulled the jutte out of the folds of her yukata "I'm not interested in any inheritances. I just wanted to keep my promise this time. It's obvious that neither of us is going to cave or give in. In that case, there's only one way for us to move forward."

The two mementos where thrown up into the air, and two hands went to the hilts of swords.

"I'll keep my promise and survive. In return…"

"…You will keep your promise…"

"…and die."

The two silver heads stepped forward and drew.

"Oyaji!" Pirako called out in panic.

Two swords swiped.

No red fell to the floor.

There was a thump as the two half's of the smoking pipe hit the floor.

And Gintoki reached to catch the jutte.

"Your promise is broken. I win."

There was a crack and the sound of shattering metal filled the silent room.

"Damn brat… why didn't you cut me down?"

"Like I said… I'm going to keep my promise this time. Quite smoking, kuso Jii-jii."

Gintoki walked.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

'Tis an honour. I was born and raised in Kabuki-chou of Edo, where I lived as a hooligan, in a town of hooligans, surrounded by steel. I am ashamed to admit that I have walked astray and was guided by my brothers and sisters to embark on a journey of redemption to regain that which I have lost.

I have been called boss, warrior, and many other names, but I have given them up.

I am the father of Chin Pirako, Jirochou.

It's rude, but may I ask who you are?

I-I have travelled far too reach Kabuki-chou of Edo. On a journey to find my missing father, I was guided here by the kindness of my brothers and sisters.

I am the daughter of Jirochou, Chin Pirako!

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Odds or evens…?

I'll go with evens.

Odds…

Oops. Looks like I lost.

Real tragic that. The captain of the Harusame's Forth Squad was once considered the 'Lone Blooming Flower of the Dark', but after losing out in a grab for power, she stole money from the pirates and disappeared. I didn't expect for her to come back like this.

No kidding. I never expected you to be a sucker for a vixen like her.

Kids wouldn't understand. Or maybe you do, a rare find you wish to keep in the palm of your hand, only it stays out of your grasp.

If it fits in the palm of my hand, it's easy to break.

Of course. That's why you are going after something that's bigger and more unique.

Unique? I didn't realise strength was unique.

It's different to everyone and comes in multiple forms.

Looks like she couldn't fit in with Earthlings either. After all the trouble she went to hiding herself. She gambled and lost. As did you.

I wouldn't call it a lost, just holding onto my cash 'til I find something worth betting on. Unlike a certain captain, I don't let my emotions get in the way of my work or gambling.

Sure, sure.

Besides, she changed her face and her name when she escaped to Earth. How was I supposed to know?

Sure, sure.

Plus, foxes are no fun when they get caught. You listening?!

Oh well. I was interested in seeing the grand team work of the Shinra, but they are only a bunch of grunts who stood no chance one-on-one against a Yato. Wouldn't be much of a fight.

I remember you saying the same thing about humans.

Humans are weak. That breed within them though… They stole my glory again. We should go show our gratitude. To those samurai.

Bright blue and emerald met.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Kamui cheerfully raised his hand. "So we meet again." He didn't let Takasugi's silence get to him, "Sorry about cutting straight to the chase, but even if I sugar coat this you're going to be surprise when I say this." Bright blue eyes opened, "Please die."

"That's not much of a surprise." Takasugi wiped him off, "It was obvious from the moment I saw you."

"Oh, you're sharp. You see, I've been dying to fight a samurai from the moment that one slipped my grasp. You kind of have the same smell, too."

Takasugi hid a twitch as he turned his head to let emerald eyes pin down onto the bright haired Yato, "What a coincidence. I've been dying to kill a stupid samurai myself, an idiot with silver hair."

Kamui tilted his head and closed one eye in a feat that would have echoed child innocence, "Mmm, do you have super powers or something? Is that what your left eye is for?"

Takasugi felt his lips twitch upwards.

"Kamui." The Yato let his eyes look over the Amanto that had manage to surround the two.

"I told you not to interfere." Kamui let his childish side fall away, bright blue eyes narrowed.

"I won't interfere." Four arrows where fired, digging into the back of the Yato.

"Huh?"

"Kamui, we're here to kill you."

"You Yato's are too dangerous." Admiral Arsehole stepped up next to the one eyed wolf Amanto. "A blade that's too sharp will attract many foes, Kamui."

Kamui let his lips tug up, "You got me good. Never expected Admiral Arsehole to pull a fast one on me."

"I'll kill that idiot for you." Takasugi gained the attention of a now flat face Kamui as he stepped towards the kneeling Yato. "So feel free to rest in peace." He drew his sword and struck downwards.

Small droplets of blood hit metal.

"Do tell me," Kamui grinned, his hand gripping the blade before he pusehed himself up to stand. "How you intend to do that with such a weak attack?" In a swift movement he unsheathed his umbrella and brought it around to Takasugi's side, catching the samurai in the side and sending him into Admiral Arsehole before he jumped into the group of Amanto.

Another arrow struck and he fell.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Odds or evens, odds or evens…?

Odds.

Too bad… Evens…

Oops, too bad, now it's your turn to die. That gambler's cursed. If you lose, you run out of luck. I lost, so I know what I'm talking about.

Coming from a monster who doesn't die when killed…

They patched me up and spared my life so I could be executed in front of the others, correct? When's the big day?

In three day.

Three days… I wonder which one of us will die first. If you're as sharp as Gin-chan, I'm sure you've figured it out already. The people here only care about themselves. Doesn't matter how hard you work. They'll abuse you as much as they can before they off your head.

True. I would prefer to be used by someone who isn't so pathetic. Those sharp fangs of yours will only rot in this place.

Why did you come here?

I'm the same as you. Searching for a place to use my sharpened fangs. But this leaky boat won't take me anywhere. I'd rather hitch a ride on your ship. See ya, space fighter.

Wait.

Hmm?

You know the samurai I want to kill. How?

There are three idiot samurai you'll find with simular 'smells', you've met two. We've all made it out of a Yato's grasp before, and we'll keep doing so. We won't die unless it's to ourselves.

We'll see.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Our luck ran out when I got on this leaky boat.

You saying that we share the same fight, Earth fighter?

Who knows? All I know is that neither of us will be doing any sightseeing.

Sure we will. Down in hell.

A laugh.

You bet.

A sword drawn.

Shackles broken.

A body falling to the floor.

Have a nice nap in hell, leaky boat crew.

A slash.

A neck broken.

A slice.

A face meeting feet.

I told you so. That gambler's cursed. I wanted to see which one of us would die first, but you're trying to get us killed together.

It's more fun to dance with a batshit crazy idiot then a plain old idiot.

Laughter.

Samurai are a blast.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

I owe you big now.

Oh well.

Guess I'll have to put off our fight for a while.

Besides, I'm looking forward to touring hell with you.

Now, where do we start?

I'm guessing the planet of samurai?

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Odds or evens… Odds or evens… Odds or evens…?

Evens.

Too bad… Odds…

A smirk

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Kagura pauses in the snow as bright blue eyes look up to the grey sky, "The snow's falling harder." Shinpachi stopped further ahead of the female Yato before he turns coffee coloured eyes onto Kagura.

Gintoki continues to walk. "There's gonna be a snow storm tonight. We want to keep moving and find some form of shelter."

Coffee brown eyes turned to watch the silver head who hadn't paused in her step. "Will Kondo-san and Shougun-sama be okay?" Shinpachi asked, gaining a small pause from Gintoki.

She turned crimson eyes to the two teenagers, "We need to worry about ourselves first." She stuffs mitten free hands into her pockets as she turns to keep walking, muttering etched under her breath, causing Shinpachi and Kagura to blink at each other before offering shrugs to each other as they continued following Gintoki.

The two teenagers fell to another stop when they spot two of the three Shinsengumi members that they had been stranded with. Gintoki continues to walk.

"What are you doing, doggy? Looking for food?" Kagura asks, walking up to the pile of snow Okita and Hijikata had gathered.

Okita turned his dull scarlet eyes to the female Yato. "I'm not like you. I don't eat food off the ground." He returns to his task of packing snow, only pausing when he notices the fact that Gintoki hadn't stopped. "Danna?"

With the four sets of eyes on her back, Gintoki simply lifted an arm up and gave a short wave before pointing it at the trees, "Be my guest, but I don't fancy staying in an area where a bear has marked." She returned her hand to her pocket and continued walking.

Blinking, the group of four turned to each other, waited a moment before booking it after the silver head.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Hijikata flicked at his lighter, frowning when the spark didn't catch alight. "The snow's getting worse." He noted as he tried to light his cigarette again.

"You can go back to the bear if you want." Was Gintoki's expressionless reply, dull eyes looking along the tops of trees.

The Fukuchou bit his cigarette.

"Hey, Gintoki!" The sudden and unexpected call out caused the group of five to pause and look over to where Katsura's voice called out from where he stood waving at them, snow built up around his head and torso, insulating his own heat. "I found a cave while I was looking for everyone."

"Who gave him permission to walk around?" Okita grumbled.

"You take a look inside it?" Gintoki ignored the teenaged Shinsengumi Taichou.

Katsura let his lips tug upward while caramel eyes closed as he gave a nod, "Don't worry. I've already chased off the beasts."

Shinpachi's eyebrows lifted up in worry, "There were bears?"

Katsura laughed and lifted a hand to wave the boy off. "No bears here. Only Bigfoot."

There was a moment of silence.

"Bigfoot doesn't exist!" Shinpachi was the first to respond out of the four twitching members of the group six.

Gintoki pointed at Katsura, "Why would a mythical creature be living out here?!"

"That's what you get from that?!" Hijikata snapped at the silver head.

The long haired Joui member shrugged, unable to reach a hand to prop his chin on it in his current getup. "It could have been a hairy man with really big feet." Crimson blinks at Katsura before Gintoki turns on her heel.

"I'm not taking my chances with you. You thought a raccoon dog was a reindeer."

Katsura huffed and turned to crawl into the cave.

None of the five mentioned the cry that echoes over them sometime later.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

"Man, the Shougun really is something else. He was able to find this cabin on his own and take shelter. I was floundering around in the snow when he saved me. I can't tell who's protecting who. I have failed as a samurai." Kondo confessed, not the least bit looking out of it in sitting in only his boxer shorts and a pelt cape. "I am prepared to commit seppuku. But with the Shougun saving my life, I must wait until he returns safely."

The Kyokuchou of the Shinsengumi gaped after his – and the six others – attention was drawn to the door of the cabin. There, in all his bear pelt glory, was an unconscious Shougun being carried by Hijikata and Okita.

"Wha?! Shougun-sama!" He pushed himself up as the two other Shinsengumi members lowered Shigeshige to the cabin floor. "What happened?! What happened to the Shougun?! Why is he unconscious?!"

"U-Uh, Kondo-san. You see…" Hijikata trailed off.

"We were attacked by Bigfoot and chupacabras." Gintoki cut in with ease, she didn't look up at the half naked man, instead crimson eyes concentrated on nails.

"Eh?"

"We tried to fight back, but, damn, those mythical creatures! I'll make them pay!" She clicked her tongue and continued to speak in the same bored tone, "Kagura," she held her hand up towards the youngest girl, "I broke another nail."

Kagura shuffled over from her spot next to Tae, taking the hand held out to her gently into her own hands, she gasped dramatically and let a fake and heavily accented voice over take, "My dear daughter! What ever should we do?" Kagura brought one of her own hands up to place it on her forehead and leaned back, acting as though she was about to faint before her bright blue eyes snapped opened and she sat herself up straight. "Sabastian!" Kagura called out, clicking her figures together at Kondo. "I need superglue and paper towel on the double!"

The other members of the room blinked at the two. When Kagura noticed the no one was moving she turned her head up, eyes closed, cheeks puffed out and hands on her hips, she puffed out a burst of air from her lungs. "Gin-chan, they're being no fun."

"There, there." Gintoki pulled her hand back into her pocket, while the other pat Kagura's back in comfort.

It was silent for a moment longer before it was broken by Shigeshige waking up.

"Shougun-sama!" Kondo called out, removing his gaze from the two female Yorozuya members.

"What happened? Why am I here?" Shigeshige questioned, an untrusting eye looking over the occupants of the cabin.

"Hi-His memory's been damaged!"

"K-Kondo, what has happened? Why am I here?"

"Shougun-sama," Gintoki continued speaking in her default tone of voice, crimson eyes on the man in the bear pelt. "Have you forgotten? These idiots brought you to the mountains to hunt mythical creatures."

The three Shinsengumi members gape as Gintoki both lied with a straight face and pinned everything on them.

"But while you were following Bigfoot's footsteps, a snow storm picked up and you got split up from the idiot police and found us." She nodded to Kagura, Shinpachi and Tae. The two girls waved with big smiles, Shinpachi also waved but held no smile, covering his mouth up by pushing his glasses up. "We then somehow manage to stumble upon this cabin."

"That's not how it happened!" Hijikata snapped, lunging to pull at silver hair, only to grab a hand full of nothing.

Shigeshige pushed himself up and gave a bow to four of the five non-Shinsengumi members. "You have my thanks for saving me." He didn't pull up from his bow. "And also my apologies. As ruler, I am meant to be protecting you, the people of Edo."

Both Katsura and Gintoki let their lips part a little in surprise at the action. The cabin watched as the Shougun straightened before he walked over to the door to push it open. "Heavens!" He called up to the grey sky. "If this storm is meant as my punishment, I offer my insufficient life as payment!"

Before he could stop himself, the words "Sure, Shougun," were passing Katsura's lips in a muffled, yet high pitch voice, resulting in Kagura kicking his feet out from under him and jumping on his back with both feet while Gintoki held his head to the floor with her own foot, muffling his grunt of pain.

With sweat pouring off his skin, Kondo hovered around Shigeshige not daring to place his hands on the Shougun. "This isn't in your control Shougun-sama! No one can predict the weather!"

It took a moment, but Shigeshige returned inside of the cabin, closing the doors behind himself.

Kondo coughed into his fist to clear his throat, sweat still sticking to his skin. "I-In any case, we should be glad that we are all here now. It'll be easiest for help to find us if we aren't leaving multiple tracks all over the woods. Down side is, we have to share this dirty shack."

Tae tilted her head to the side, eyes closed and a smile gracing her lips, "We can make it cleaner by returning the gorilla to the wild."

Kondo tripped over nothing.

Not paying any attention to the gorilla, Gintoki ran a hand through her messy hair, "How about it? I've manage to cover up your screw up. You better give me a reward for the trouble."

Hijikata twitched, a vain in his cheek flared, "You're the one who started it! If you were paying attention in the first place, this wouldn't have happened!" The mayonnaise addict hissed. "And we aren't out of the woods yet!"

"And that's your job to work out, Shougun protector-san."

He twitches again before turning his head away from the silver head with a click of his tongue. Hijikata gave himself a moment to calm down before he started speaking to the rest of the group. "Until this snow storm stops, we can't do anything. We'll probably do more harm than good by going outside, so we'll have to wait in here for help."

"Way to state the obvious."

Hijikata lashed out at Gintoki, his fist brushing through silver strands. "Shuddup!" He turned back to the group, "This cabin is nothing more than four shabby walls and a roof. It's just as cold inside as it is out. Fall asleep and you'll die."

"Kindly fall asleep Hijikata-san." Hijikata lashed out at the other sadist.

"We'll have to huddle together for warmth." He said through a twitch, "Hit," Navy blue glared at bored crimson and scarlet, the emphasis wasn't lost on anyone, "When you see someone nodding off."

Ignoring the glare sent his way, Okita voiced his question, "How do you suppose we huddle together?"

"We'll stand with our backs facing each other to pool our body heat. With the centre being the warmest, the Shougun will stand there. Then we'll have the girls and then the men will be on the outside."

"Shinpachi can have my spot." The group turned to Gintoki and she gave a bored look in return. "I give off a lot of body heat, so I'll be better on the outside."

Hijikata waved her off, "Whatever," He opened navy blue eyes and turned them to the Shougun. "Okay, so the two girls will stand next to Shougun-sama."

Getting up from their spot on the floor, Kagura and Tae walked over to stand next to Shigeshige. Their noses twitch.

"Oi," Hijikata twitch again, when the two girls moved away from the Shougun and started whispering to each other. "What are they doing? Why are they whispering in the corner?"

"Doesn't it smell? Like a wash cloth drenched in spoiled milk?"

"Kagura-chan, you shouldn't say that."

"But you're starting to tear up."

"Stop that, Kagura-chan. Some things aren't meant to be said out loud…ugh!"

Shigeshige turned his head away, pink dusting his cheeks.

"You're just as bad!" Hijikata hissed.

Tae turned to Hijikata, holding a hand up to her mouth, "I believe it's the pelt he's wearing that smells. Could you ask him to take it off?"

"I can't do that!" He whispered back. "We're trying to stay warm!"

"Hijikata-san, Hijikata-san. He's already taken it off." Okita pointed to Shigeshige who now only wore his underpants.

"Shougun!" Hijikata snapped his head over to Gintoki, "Oi! 'I-give-off-a-lot-of-body-heat'-san! Get moving!"

"Hold on now." Crimson eyes narrowed as Gintoki's scrunches her nose up, "Doesn't it stink?"

"Why are you joining in?!" Hijikata hissed. "He's taken the pelt off already!"

"Are you sure that the smell was coming from the fur?" Gintoki pulled her hand up to her nose as Shigeshige shifted his underpants around. "I think it's gotten worse."

"I think it's a completely different smell, Gin-chan."

"Stop it already! He's only wearing his underwear! What could possibly stink?!"

"The Shougun is pretending to stretch while checking his armpits to see if they smell!" Kondo added, shaking Hijikata. "Don't hurt him anymore!"

"There's only one place for the source." Gintoki moved her hand from her nose to her chin. "It was probably all stuffy under the pelt."

It was quick movement that tore Hijikata's gaze from Gintoki, "Shougun!" He hissed, it was impossible to miss the fact that Shigeshige was standing stark naked in the middle of a snow storm. "Are you even allowed to show that?! You don't have an heir yet!"

"Real subtle Hijikata-san."

"Shut it Sougo!"

"Gin-chan, take my place. I don't want to go near him." Kagura tugged on Gintoki's sleeve.

"What makes you think I want to then?!" Gintoki snapped.

"Do you want me to chuck you out into the storm?!" Hijikata turned to the two Yorozuya females.

Gintoki waved her hand. "You sit in front of him!"

"Like hell!"

"We don't have time to gripe about bad smells or grotesque objects." Okita cut in.

"That's rude." Shinpachi pushed his glasses up from his spot behind the other teen. "Don't you have any tact?"

The two teens walked forward to stand in front of the Shougun. It took a moment but their noses started to twitch.

"I only smell man od-" Both Shinpachi and Okita threw up.

"Shougun-sama! Have them executed!" Kondo cried out as the two teens emptied their stomachs.

Wiping the vomit away from his mouth, Okita turned to the Yato that was very purposely looking away, "S-Sorry, China…"

"It's fine if you understand now."

"It's not fine! What's with the sudden agreement?!"

Okita heaved himself up and moved away from the Shougun. "Doesn't matter. We can't huddle together if he's naked, so let's find him some new clothes."

"They should cover up the smell too."

It didn't take long for the Shougun to be given a turtle neck long sleeve. "What are you trying to cover?!" Hijikata snapped as he pointed at the Shouguns' Shougun. "The place that needs to be covered is still exposed!"

"That settles it." Kondo cut in, "The adults will have to take the sacrifice."

"Change the plan so we stand next to the Shougun," Katsura added, "And the girls sit on the outside."

Gintoki folded her arms. "Who's having the Shougun's Shougun pointed at 'em?"

Both Katsura and Kondo looked at Hijikata.

"Why me?!"

"You're the Fukuchou of the Shinsengumi." Katsura nodded, "You're meant to be protecting the Shougun. Including the Shougun's Shougun."

"The hell am I meant to say to that?!"

Gintoki waved a hand before she, Katsura and Kondo placed their hands on the Shigeshige's back, forcing him towards Hijikata, "Be glade we're not asking you to sheath it!"

Navy blue eyes glared as Hijikata held his hands up to stop the three adults from pushing the fourth into him. "Why'd you bring that up?! This is your fault in the first place!" He turned the Shougun, so that his Shougun was in the direction of Gintoki who made a point to look away.

"Z-Zura!" The silver head stammered out and turned Shigeshige to face Katsura who grimaced and stammered at the sight. "This is your chance to defeat the Bakufu!"

"He's not worked up at all!" Katsura turned it back towards Gintoki, "And didn't you want to have a family? Why not start here?"

Crimson glared, "Low blow Zura! Low blow!" Gintoki turned the Shougun towards Hijikata, "A gift for you, sexual harasser-san!"

"That I'll pass onto Kondo-san!"

Kondo gaped at the sudden sight, a hand moved to his mouth to stop the vomit from coming up, "T-Toushi!" He whimpered and turned Shigeshige back to Hijikata.

"Why me?! Yorozuya!"

"Zura!"

"Shinsengumi!"

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

From Thorny.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Hey, Tetsu. You can't keep doing this forever.

This is your last chance. I'm sure you've realised that you'll never get anywhere in society like this.

If you run into a wall and pretend it doesn't exist, you'll never get anywhere. That wall will never change.

So you're the one who has to change. Right now, all you're doing is tattling off excuses at the wall that'll only build up. You're nothing more than a kid who's too scared to pull a block off their tower.

Before, you may have been able to get away with that. But in our line of work, where you have your own life and others on the line, you can't hesitate to pull that block out.

If you can't do that. And if you put the lives of the Shinsengumi on the line.

I won't hesitate to cut you down.

We were all like you at one point. Too scared of having everything fall. But we've made it this far.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Hey, Tetsu. Every heard the name 'Thorny'?

It's a name for nasty kids that'll bite at you if you get too close.

From where I'm from, 'Thorny' is what we called the bad kids.

Want to know what we called him?

'Thorny Toushi'.

He was bad enough to make what you guys do look like child's play.

He spent every day fighting thugs from the local doujos. A foolish boy who chose to live in thorn covered growth.

"That Thorny boy must be possessed by the Devil." Is just some of the things that people would say about him.

But that's just what people wanted to see. What he let them see.

He's no different from you. Toushi is also an illegitimate child.

His father was a rich farmer from where we came from. Toushi was the secret son who wasn't delivered until after his father died, even then, his states as the son of a Mistress wasn't reviled until after his mother died and he lost his home.

Fortunately, the oldest child, Tamegoro, was a good man. He took Toushi in and looked after him. Understandable, Toushi was very fond of him.

However, it didn't end well for him.

When he was eleven, there was a large fire in the village. Some thugs used this chance to break into their burning home and attacked Toushi. Tamegoro protected him and ended up losing his eyes.

Toushi snapped.

The next thing he knew, there was blood on his hands, bodies flaying on the floor, his siblings looking at him in fear.

That's how he gained the name 'Thorny'.

And also how he lost his beloved brother.

He knows how you feel. And it's why he defended you.

There are others out there.

They may not have the same story.

They may not have the same experiences as you.

But they know.

They know what it's like not having a place to belong.

They know what it's like being an outsider.

They know what it's like feeling helpless.

They know and understand.

It's why they move forward.

Cutting their way through the thorny overgrowth.

Making their own path.

Making their own place to belong.

Making themselves stronger.

You never stop walking.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Scarlet eyes widened as the female in front of him easily lifted the ball weight on her arm and didn't hesitate in throwing it pass Okita's head, connecting it with the wall.

"That wasn't very nice Danna. I did help with getting you free." Okita ducked and the ball connected to Gintoki's arm via chain sailed over.

"Is that so?" Gintoki asked as she scratched at silver hair. Crimson eyes snapped open to settle on Okita, "I wouldn't be in here in the first place if it wasn't for you lot!" She swung the ball weight at Okita once again.

Okita let the chained weight pass him without moving, he wasn't an idiot. "That's Hijikata-san and the rich idiots fault. Don't lump me in with them Danna."

Gintoki's eye twitched, "It's the whole police force that's out to get me. Why was I dragged out to Kyouto for an unlawful arrest anyway?" The silver head straighten up and let the ball weigh drop to the floor.

"The Mimawarigumi arrested you. They are based here in Kyouto." Okita informed as Gintoki clicked her tongue, a hand reaching to scratch at messy hair once again. "It didn't help that they arrested you as a suspect, Danna."

A single eye of crimson observed Okita, "So you don't know what this is about either, huh?"

Okita let a frown show on his face, "No. Standard protocol says that anyone arrested is to be told the charges they are being arrested for."

She let her eye fall close, "Hmm, that so?" She muttered before opening both her eyes and waved her arm shackled with the chain and weight. "Can I place a complaint or something?"

"Possibly, but I wouldn't expect it to get far Danna. These guys fancy themselves as elites."

"You don't say." Gintoki huffed as she lifted the weight again, "You got the key for this thing or do I have to wait for an Elite Jerk?"

"It does sadden me that, despite us being based on the Shinsengumi, you have taken a disliking towards us elites." Two shades of red turned to look at the Mimawarigumi Kyokuchou, Sasaki Isaburo as he walked up to them, his white uniform flaring out around form.

Gintoki's lips quirked up, "Not much of an elite if you manage to arrest someone for no reason."

Isaburo was quiet for a moment before he inclined his head, "A bad judgment on our part. Okita-san," He put his attention onto the sand coloured haired teen, "Please go ahead, I will release your friend and I'll personally see to it that this is sorted out."

Scarlet narrowed. "Danna…?"

Gintoki let out a sigh and let crimson eyes close, "Not much we can do, Kiddo." Placing her unchained hand on top of his head, Gintoki opened her eyes as she ruffled Okita's sand coloured hair, causing the chain to rattle. "They're the ones that got me chained." There was no smile gracing her face.

Using both hands she turned Okita around by the shoulders and gave him a light shove. Pausing, Okita looked over his shoulder towards Gintoki, he only removed his gaze when the silver head gave a nod. Scarlet racked over white before he started to walk down the hall.

The silver haired female and grey haired man stood as they waited for Okita's footsteps to stop echoing in their ears.

"What do you want for letting me walk out of here?"

"I wouldn't call it 'letting you walk'. There's a job I need you to do, Shiroyasha."

"Let's hear it."

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Dear, Sasaki Isaburo-dono.

Forgive me for sending this letter without warning.

A letter addressed to the Mimawarigumi might cause a stir, so forgive me for using a false name. I believe that by using the name Hijikata, this letter would catch your attention.

Your brother, Tetsunosuke, who is currently in out care, has completely changed.

It will take some more time to work the damage from his lazy lifestyle out of his body, but he's doing his best to never stop, to keep moving forward.

He's matured into a fine young man.

I'm ashamed to admit that I've learned a thing or two by watching him struggle.

I know that he will become a strong warrior.

We will make him a strong warrior.

So, when he becomes fully capable, please show him your approval.

As his family, as his brother…

Could you please accept him?

I'm sure that's all what he wants.

He may complain all the time, but I know how he truly feels.

Because it's too late for me.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

"Tetsu!" Hijikata called out just as the burst of smoke lifted from the spot where Tetsunosuke was being held hostage by the gang-turned-Joui supporters that were attacked by members of the Mimawarigumi.

"Hello? This is Sabu-chan. Thank you for leading the Mimawarigumi here. Our ambush was a success, Gin-tan."

"Is my job done then?"

"Yes, we can take it from here."

Navy blue eyes widened and Hijikata watches the smoke clear out – while multiple Mimawarigumi members fell to the floor – showing a smirking silver head with one hand holding a phone to an ear, the other held a bokken. The group of gaping rappers stood behind Gintoki, unharmed. "Really? Well, then." Crimson locked onto Hijikata, "Time to do things my way."

"Wh-What are you…?!" Hijikata stammered.

"Oh? You're turning on us?"

"Nah, if I did that, it's back to Kyouto for me." Gintoki moved her gaze away from the stunned Shinsengumi Fukuchou and towards the helicopter, the other roof top dwellers following her line of sight. "How many of these things does he have his hands on?"

"This is the Mimawarigumi's helicopter, we are elites after all."

"Well, you can hold up on that. I'm not gonna side with the Shinsengumi." She turned her crimson eyes back onto Hijikata, her smirk never leaving her face that was illuminated red by the blood moon. "I've never been a fan of the police. Doesn't matter if you're wearing black or white. You're just a bunch of dogs waggin' their tails." Gintoki tilted her head, "Let's take a look at things. We got a foolish cop who only cares about saving the people he knows and an irritable cop who won't try to save anyone. Both sides are stupid."

"Someone like you would never pick any of the two even if it was your last choice. You're the opposite of him."

Gintoki's smirk fell, crimson eyes moving away from the gathered police force to look towards the red coloured moon. "As much as it pains me to say it, we're more alike than anything. He's just stuck seeing the past." She turned back to the people in front of her. "So long as the idiot is stuck there, he won't win," Gintoki snorted, "Getting his hands into the Bakufu's underwear draw. What ever happened to attacking head first?" She closes the phone.

The silver head pauses before letting a smirk rise onto her features as she hefted her bokken onto her shoulder. "You're up, Fukuchou. Show me what you got. Let's see if you can take down the Joui patriot known as the Shiroyasha."

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Everything freezes for him when the words out of the silver head mouth register in his ears.

It make so much sense.

It explains so fucking much.

It explains oh so fucking much.

Her attitude towards the Bakufu.

Her attitude towards anything relating to the government.

Her ability to fight.

Her uncaring approach towards everything.

Her knowing Katsura Kotaro.

Her knowing Takasugi Shinsuke.

Her tiredness.

Her being able to defeat Kondo-san.

Her being able to keep the Yato in line – when it suited her.

Her knowledge she hid but at the same time didn't.

Her everything.

It explains why there was something about her that just didn't sit right.

It explains so bloody much.

Shiroyasha.

Sakata Gintoki.

One and the same.

Hijikata laughs.

The biggest thorn in the growth.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

You chose the wrong person to use as a cog, Sasaki.

You're the one who's lost his mind over a single brat. Too scared to fight? I wonder what will happen if I kill the hostage first, would you pay attention, sexual harasser-san?

He can't read her.

Go ahead. I've done what I can. If you're saying that he's not as important as the brats standing behind you, go ahead and kill him. As far as I'm concerned, they're all the same.

He still can't get a read on her.

No, you and I are the same. It won't make a difference if we kill another kid or two now. Too late for that. We don't seek or expect forgiveness. And we're not interested in punishing criminals. So we can't punish criminals, and we can't redeem them, but there is something that only we can do.

Still nothing.

We can stop them from making the same mistakes we made. We can teach them to learn from those mistakes and move on. I'm not gonna give up on trying to save people like Smartypants-san over there. We brats have to stick together.

Empty.

But if you want to kill him, go ahead.

Something.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Crimson eyes look up from jagged nails to glare at Hijikata who opened the back door of the police car.

"…We've caught a bigger fish. Isn't that right, Shiroyasha?"

Gintoki curled her hands into fist, causing metal chains of cuffs to rattle. "Don't call me that."

The Fukuchou raised a dark eyebrow, "Oh? And why not? That's your name isn't it? Shiroyasha?"

"Former." Gintoki snaps, crimson burning. "Former title. You have no right to use it as a name."

The group of Shinsengumi members blink at the silver heads claim and an air of heavy silence echoes over them.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Watch where you're putting your hands! The hell am I doing this anyway?! Why am I taking you all the way up here anyway?! You better be paying for fuel!

A favour. I did vouch for you innocence after all.

I was innocent to begin with! I also saved your asses back there!

You're the only person I can ask!

Huh?!

I finally finished my letter. This time, I'm going to deliver it!

Who's this letter for?

The Fukuchou wrote a letter to my brother for my sake. So it's my turn now.

Isn't that stupid? What does a dead person get from a letter? The hell is wrong with you? What's the point?

I want to return the favour. I must tell his brother that Fukuchou is doing well.

What a joke.

….You don't fancy tradition, do you?

A snort.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

You failed to deliver your letter again. You okay with that?

It's okay. Now that I've seen his letters, I would be embarrassed to show mine. The Fukuchou and his brother were always linked. Knowing that, I am happy.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

To Thorny.

…T.T.L.O.A.C…

Chapter 4 End.

And that's basically everything that I have at this point in time.

Anyway, hope you've enjoyed reading!

Please leave a review on your way out!

Till next time, ninjapanda16 out!