CHAPTER 9 – All is Fair in Love and Espionage
The day before Aya would once again blast that damned bazooka in his face, Gintoki jolted awake to the sound of a doorbell being savagely pressed to its limits.
He stumbled out of his room, cursing the thin walls. Gintoki stopped on the way and ripped the closet door open to wake up Kagura.
"Oi, do you not hear the – "
Oh.
It was empty.
A strange feeling arose in his chest, but he didn't have the time nor the quiet to concentrate on the constricting sensation.
"If someone isn't dying, I swear…"
This time, he ripped the front door open.
The man in front of the door wasn't dying. He looked deranged, like he was ready to make someone else die as a gleaming row of teeth blinded Gintoki.
"Sakata Gintoki."
The voice behind the teeth didn't seem as threatening. On the contrary, the person in front of him looked like he would vibrate out of his skin because of his excitement.
Gintoki was stunned. "…Yes?"
Did someone tell him to come to his address to win a prize? Wait, what if he was going to get scammed? No, we're safe. Kagura isn't here.
"This belongs to you."
The con artist held out a piece of paper towards him.
It is a scam!
"Oiii", Gintoki drawled, his voice low as he cracked his knuckles in irritation. "You think you can wake me up in this god-forsaken hour and scam me? Do you have a death wish?"
Not once did the smile disappear from the man's face. He's a pro.
"Ah, please, I apologize if we offended you", he started, not sounding apologetic whatsoever, but Gintoki pushed past him to look around.
We!? You came as a group?
Gintoki's eyes were immediately drawn downwards. The view below the balcony felt like something straight out of a movie. Thousands upon thousands of lotus flowers filled the street, swaying between the buildings like a tender stream of blooming pink. The rising sun gilded their petals golden as their fragrance rose gently into the crisp morning air. The passersby stood around the almost-parade, probably in as much shock as Gintoki, as they all continued to stare at the expanse of blush flowers.
What the…
Gintoki gripped the wooden railing as the paper was once again held in front of him, obscuring his view of the lotus flowers.
"Please, this is for you."
Only hearing his voice stirred up a memory buried in his mind. Gintoki whipped his head towards him. "Wait, you… you're Blank-kun!"
The man was still smiling when he tilted his head in confusion. "I… am?" He went along with it.
"No, I mean, you're the one from the castle, right? The guy who showed me around?"
If the man looked happy before, now he seemed ready to jump out of his own skin and fly to the moon. He stepped closer and reverently nodded, his head wobbling like a bob head figure. "You remembered! I… I didn't think… I…"
Gintoki was confused by his reaction, but by now he realized that he wasn't a scammer. Or he's a really poor one. How much does this many flowers cost?
"Well, Blank-kun, what do you want?"
The bob head was still gazing at him, as if he forgot when and where he was. Gintoki sighed and snatched what he realized was an invitation safely tucked away in an intricately embellished envelope.
Dear Gintoki,
it is my utmost honor to invite you to the Imperial Ball held in two days' time. I extend this invitation to your family and hope for a favorable response.
Regardless of your decision, I implore you to keep the accompanying gifts as a token of my favor.
In place of the thousands of burning stars, I'll embrace your silver moonlight.
Ren Selene
…
Huh?
Gintoki read the invitation over and over before a lightbulb finally flickered above his head. Something about a party… He remembered Ren inviting him to a gathering at the festival and him refusing…
No, Gintoki didn't say it aloud.
He groaned, wanting to punch his past self. "Um, tell Ren I'm busy that day and can't come. Bye."
He stifled a yawn and turned away from the beautiful procession down below, itching to get back into his futon.
"Ah, please wait!"
Blank-kun wildly gestured to the side. The sea of lotus flowers parted as men, decked in formal wear of what Gintoki surmised was Ren's First Celestial Order, carried out gold-threaded boxes, each tied with an extravagant bow. And they all looked like they could fit a Hedoro inside.
"These are for you", Blank-kun said breathlessly. "The Imperial Prince had explicitly ordered that we deliver these to you, whether or not you accept the invitation."
Dozens of pairs of eyes bore into Gintoki, holding onto his slightest move, like they were ready to tackle him to the ground before letting him go home without the gifts.
Gintoki slowly inched towards the door. "I don't need it, seriously…"
The boxes somehow made their way upstairs, with the knights crowding the staircase as they all shuffled closer, pushing at Blank-kun from behind.
"Hey, you had your time, now let me – "
Let me sleep…
"I'm the one carrying the largest one, I should be closer – "
I should be closer to my futon…
Blank-kun smugly held the front of the line, smiling at him as if all of them weren't one box away from toppling down the wooden balcony.
Gintoki's forehead vein popped.
"OI, YOU – "
" – will have to tell the Imperial Prince that he accepts the invitation."
Shinpachi's voice cut through the commotion as he materialized in the middle of the crowding knights.
"No, tell him – "
Gintoki was cut off by Kagura slipping by the knights and clamping a hand over his mouth. "That we accept as well and that we'll eat lots of food, so he better be prepared, you got that?"
Gintoki didn't want to concede without a fight, but before he managed to pry Kagura's iron fingers off his face, Blank-kun bolted with the rest of the knights, leaving behind the lavish boxes.
Shinpachi and Kagura immediately swarmed around them.
"Wow, rich boyfriends really pull out all stops, huh?"
"Oh, is that a rice cooker? We need one, Ane-ue tried to make tamagoyaki in ours…"
"Oi."
Gintoki cracked his knuckles behind them, a murderous smile splitting his face as he crept forward.
"You can take those to pay for your crossing over the Styx."
"Wait, Gin-san…"
"Gin-chan, we can explain…"
But the only sounds echoing in the morning air were a couple of thuds and screams that followed soon after.
"He likes you, Gin-chan."
"I'm not doing it."
"And he has to like us."
"Did anyone see my Jump? I swear I left it there…"
"It's the safest way to do this, Gin-san."
Only a day after he was attacked at the crack of dawn by both Celestial knights and Gengai and Aya with the makeup bazooka, Gintoki was ambushed by four fools convinced that he was the key to their lunatic plan.
Gintoki groaned and slumped into the couch. "So, the whole plan depends on Ren liking me enough for me to distract him, just for you to go and steal the scroll back?"
"Why, Gin-san, not one of our hostesses at Snack Smile has ever received such extravagant gifts", Otae smiled, however, there was no trace of mirth on her face. "I'd say you're doing pretty well for yourself."
What is well about this whole situation!?
Gintoki couldn't help but be confused about the number of boxes strewn around the Yorozuya office. Was it some sort of ploy? He spent a whole day going through every single one, searching for listening devices and the like, but all he came across were mountains of expensive cloth and precious jewels and curiously useful kitchen appliances.
Like? Gintoki didn't connect the word to Ren. After all, with the stalker guy and the strange feeling of… acceptance Gintoki experienced around Ren, not to mention the way Aya had said there was something else at play, it had to be something more sinister than mere like.
"Not only did our father leave us with debt and a ruined dojo, but also with a mystical immortal-killing scroll?"
Otae was fuming; her fists were shaking in her lap. The smile on her face looked more like someone pulling at her face from behind.
"Gin-san, you're our best bet. Really", Otae turned her burning gaze at him, her face twitching, "you're so pretty now, you can have him wrapped around your finger in no time. Isn't that swell?"
Is that the face of someone asking for help?
Gintoki stayed silent for a few more moments before finally conceding. "Fine", he sighed as he scratched his ear. "But what do you get out of having the scroll? Thought you would be happy to get rid of such an ominous thing."
Otae put her thumb and index finger into a circle. "Aya-chan said they'll pay for it! How wonderful."
Gintoki turned to Aya who was camouflaging as a rock during their interaction. "Do you even need the scroll? I can show you the moves, what was it… Up, down, left, right?"
"Gin-san, please don't look down on our family's treasure…" Shinpachi said dejectedly. "It was way more complex than that."
Gintoki stopped for a second, remembering how Shinpachi never truly mastered the moves described in the scroll. Was he feeling bad over it? But before Gintoki could delve on it further, Aya interrupted his train of thought.
"The technique held in the scroll is important, but the silver sword won't activate without its presence."
Well, isn't that convenient.
"Aya-chan, how do you know the scroll is on the ship?"
Gintoki absent-mindedly raised his hand to pat Kagura's head, but she evaded him and went to sit next to Aya.
Gintoki's feelings were not hurt in the slightest.
"The Imperial envoy is meant to leave after the ball", Aya said as they leaned forward on their elbows, their expression tense. "And in these past weeks, neither I nor Shinpachi-kun and Otae-chan have been able to locate the scroll. The Face-Weaver must've… Tch."
"The Face-Weaver? What a tacky nickname."
Gintoki whipped his head towards the front door. Katsura casually strolled into the room, his long hair swishing around as he shook his head in disappointment.
"I mean, really, what does that nickname imply? Also, someone could easily mishear it as the Face-Wearer. That raises the question, does he weave or wear, or does he do both the weaving and wearing?"
Instead of answering any of his questions, the group continued to deliberate on their plan.
"I can propose other nicknames, if you need any ideas."
"Katsura-san, is there a reason you came here?"
Shinpachi finally took pity and interacted with the unwelcome guest. Katsura guffawed and put his arms into the sleeves of his haori.
"Why, I've come to help you with the execution of your plan. I've been on standby outside this entire time after the last three little stars and your plan could use much improvement. Gintoki, I need to speak with you."
"I think we can manage, Zura."
"Zura ja nai… No, seriously, come outside to talk."
"Why are you so persistent? Fine", Gintoki relented and waved his hand, "say it."
"Gintoki."
Something shifted in Katsura's tone and Gintoki looked up at him. The slightest frown on his face showed him that they didn't have the time for their usual back-and-forth.
Gintoki got up and left the Yorozuya office with Katsura following close behind. "So", he asked and closed the door after Katsura, "what is it?"
The grandiose crystal chandeliers hung above the ornate ballroom, sparkling over its dignified attendants. The glass placed into the ship's hull showed the expanse of space as stars sparkled and Earth, glowing like a sapphire, occasionally came into view. Angelic music filled the air as the guests waltzed in synchronized movement, the audience milling around while they both admired the sight and searched for a partner.
Tatsuma looked around the marvelous ballroom, its sheer size exceeding anything he'd ever seen before. Anywhere he turned, a majestic mural or carving etched into the wall attracted his eye, always depicting a moon and a tree.
And it was all golden.
The floor, the monumental staircase that spilled onto the podium, the walls, the pillars, everything was made of gold. Since Tatsuma was certain the Empire didn't have its own gold mines, it must've been imported.
Or stolen.
He took a sip of the bubbling champagne and leaned on a pillar. His gaze flitted over the surrounding guests, trying to subtly catch their conversation.
Not that any of them were trying to act the same.
"Hah! Does that fool think bringing back the deity will put him in our good graces?" One of them, an extravagant pudgy man, loudly said as he stared in disdain at the man across the podium.
Tatsuma's eyes flickered to the other side of the ballroom, where the one being gossiped about stood silently and coldly as always. He was surrounded by his knights, but not because other guests didn't try to come his way. On the contrary, many have tried to get closer, only to be rejected by the Imperial Prince's sharp glare.
The only ones spared such treatment were Princess Soyo and her companions, but Tatsuma could feel the tension from across the room.
"Do not worry", another, wearing the same thick silver chain with a moon around his neck as everyone in his entourage, calmed the reddened man. "His time is over. The Imperial Prince is no more. It is the Emperor's reign now. No… our reign."
"No more relying on those measly energy supplies… We'll have the infinite energy - "
"Khm." A lanky but imposing man coughed, interrupting the discussion. "Let us leave these crude talks for some other time and enjoy the party in Ren's honor."
The rest of the moon-wearing clique begrudgingly agreed and the conversation immediately moved onto the mundane. As it stood, the thin man wielded the most influence among them.
Tatsuma kept himself from rolling his eyes as he moved away from the clamoring group.
Divided they fall.
The root of the infesting weed that was the Empire was the person he's been after for months; these were merely its withering leaves. Since there was no way they could come to an agreement, he had to destroy them all. For Earth's sake.
For Gintoki's sake.
And as soon as he thought of him, he felt the air shift in the ballroom. All eyes simultaneously fixated on one place, silence descending upon the party that was in full swing only moments before. The powerful shine of gold adorning the ballroom dimmed as his eyes finally caught onto the figure standing on top of the regal flight of stairs.
And as always, Gintoki's silver hair was the first thing he noticed. How it burned against the gold, just as mesmerizing as the first time he saw him on that shore all those years ago.
The thing was, everyone's eye would always firstly catch on his hair. Even Gintoki himself bemoaned that fact. But what he wasn't aware of, what he wouldn't know even in one hundred years, was that the eyes attracted to the gleaming silver of his locks would further linger and stay on him, forever trapped and captivated by his presence.
He was always the center of attention, everywhere he went.
And this time was no exception.
Gintoki's gaze briefly passed over him and their eyes met.
He smiled, smugly even.
Tatsuma wished he didn't.
He'll forever stay like that, won't he? After all this time, it turns out that nothing has changed. Neither him nor I.
Gintoki stepped forward, descending the staircase as his fingers gracefully glided across the balustrade. Unlike his performance outfit, which was brimming with sparkling jewels and airy fabric, the snow dyed dress that adorned his strapping frame heavily fell over his shoulders in a simple, but regal manner. It rounded his neck in a high collar and braided silver thread across his chest, which was then hidden under the overlaying fabric fastened by a silver belt circling his slender waist. It slit under the metal clasp and showed his panted legs each time he shifted before pooling around his feet. The intricate ivory thread created mesmerizing moon embroidery along his chest and down his heavy falling sleeves, which were cut on the inside to reveal his lithe arms encased in close-fitting fabric that almost covered his fingers.
The crown atop his head peeked through his silvery locks, like the tops of a snowy mountain. Its silver glow contrasted the gleaming gold of Ren's crown, but it also strangely suited it.
At the bottom of the staircase, the Imperial Prince clad in a black royal uniform waited for Gintoki to descend the stairs. He outstretched his hand and held it out, probably wanting to hold Gintoki's hand, but all Gintoki did was shake it in a westernized way. Ren wasn't swayed, however, as he turned Gintoki's hand and flipped it to touch his forehead.
As Tatsuma looked away from the sight, he noticed peculiar flickers of silver all around him. They weren't tiny camera flashes; they were all eyes, eyes boring into Gintoki as he laughed and talked with the Imperial Prince.
He found the scene eerie. Those eyes looked like they belonged to hungry wolves staring at a wounded deer.
Tatsuma's heartbeat quickened. His fingers twitched and he wanted nothing more than to just pull Gintoki away from them, the Imperial Prince, this ship. From everything.
"Tch. What are they gawking at? It's like they've never seen a human before."
A familiar husky voice reached his ears. Tatsuma turned and to his right stood the one and only Demon Vice-Commander. He had to stifle his laughter. While Hijikata's voice sounded aloof and disinterested, his face was anything but. He could practically hear his teeth grate against one another in his mouth as he drunk in Gintoki's enchanting demeanor.
Is it your first time seeing a human, too?
But Tatsuma couldn't blame him. After all, they were not all that different.
Which was why he couldn't help but tease him a little.
"They are probably happy their prince is gettin' along so well with humans", he probed, studying Hijikata's face. "Not everyone gets the honor of havin' thousands of flowers delivered to their doorstep, hahaha!"
Hijikata's face froze and he whipped his head towards Tatsuma. "What…?"
He looked almost devastated, as if all his ships have sunk. He was practically an open book. Right. He doesn't have the years of experience like…
Tatsuma smiled, but humorlessly so. Teasing Hijikata wasn't as fun as he thought it would be. He turned away and gazed at Gintoki and Ren Selene parting the enamored crowd.
"Lotus flowers. Do you know what they represent?" Tatsuma asked but didn't wait for an answer. He knew one all too well. "Bein' far away from a loved one. Longing, the love you feel for someone you are separated from."
Hijikata stayed silent by his side. Maybe he didn't even hear him; his eyes were glued to the center of everyone's attention.
"But", he continued as he watched Ren introduce Gintoki to his order of knights, who almost toppled Gintoki over in their excitement, "he doesn't care all that much for flowers."
By that point, Tatsuma was convinced Hijikata wasn't paying attention to his words. He most certainly stopped bothering to be heard, too.
"Ah", Tatsuma added, the memory of a sunny and warm day blooming in his mind. The day he first felt a treacherous tug at his heart. "There is one."
"One?" he heard Hijikata say hurriedly.
"Hmmm", Tatsuma nodded, pleased to find out that Hijikata was, in fact, hanging onto his every word. "A flower that is so ordinary you wouldn't even think it has any meaning, hahaha. It symbolizes hope and wishes, and when you look at it, it kind of resembles him – "
"Which is?"
"Dandelions. He likes dandelions."
It felt like yesterday for Tatsuma. The day he discovered Gintoki really liked dandelions, everything had begun to change.
Hijikata snickered as he crossed his hands. "Figures. A guy like that has no taste whatsoever."
Tatsuma suppressed a laugh at Hijikata's self-inflicted insult. While he didn't know him very well, Tatsuma could tell that underneath Hijikata's prickly personality was a caring and dutiful person.
It didn't make any of this easier, however.
They didn't say anything after, perhaps trying not to let their eyes wander to a certain corner of the ballroom. As the music slowly picked up again, dazzling dancers filled the podium, turning in the rhythm of a waltz but still stealing glances at Gintoki.
Dance.
Tatsuma had never found the activity amusing. During the performances held at lavish banquets back home at the Sakamoto estate, as a child, he would sneak out and read about turbulent seas and ferocious beasts that ruled over them, or faraway lands filled with golden sand, or advanced machinery and weaponry. His father's disapproval was always etched into his hardened face, but Tatsuma paid him no mind. He could not imagine why people would watch other people move rather than learn about the exciting new things.
Until he met Gintoki.
The way Gintoki moved didn't resemble anything close to the dancers he had seen before. It wasn't pretty and entertaining; it was raw, pure and harrowing. Gintoki didn't dance; he mercilessly cleaved his way into Tatsuma's mind, into his heart.
And when he gazed at Gintoki's figure moving on the TV screen a week ago, he felt like he went back in time to a night on a small meadow with a vicious fire searing his right forearm.
Gintoki broke his heart and collected the pieces at the same time.
A commotion broke out on the other side of the ballroom, jolting Tatsuma out of distant memories. He caught sight of Gintoki leaning onto the Imperial Prince and a bitter weight settled in his stomach.
He clenched the champagne glass in his hand.
"I can't take this anymore."
And just like that, Hijikata stomped off to the other side, pushing through the waltzing crowd.
Tatsuma guessed they weren't so similar after all.
Gintoki's heart sank when he saw the shuttle pad for the short trip to the Imperial spaceship and the horde of people gathered in front of it.
All eyes followed them as they boarded the state-of-the-art shuttle provided by Ren. While it usually felt great skipping the line, Gintoki only felt the knot in his stomach tighten itself further into a mess.
What is this? Am I nervous?
His heart sunk the second time in the shuttle.
"Did you check your gear?"
"Affirmative."
"Do you have your introductions prepared?"
"Of course. Khm. The name is Kagura. Kagura Kagura."
"The name's Shimura. Shinpachi Shi – "
"OI!" The shuttle took off from the ground with barely a tremor, rising with the speed of Gintoki's blood pressure. "What the hell are you idiots doing!?"
Aya, Kagura and Shinpachi all exchanged confused looks. "Preparing for the mission", Shinpachi said, as if the answer was obvious.
Kagura added. "Mission Impossi – "
"You were marathoning movies, huh? While I was staying up late, rehearsing jokes, remembering stories, you were having fun, huh? Must be nice. I want to have a sleepover with friends. Can we go back?"
Shinpachi quickly moved to his side, gently tapping his back. "Gin-san is broken, we have to abort the mission."
"No", Aya declared, passion burning in their eyes as they took both of Gintoki's hands into theirs. "You are not broken. You have prepared for this wholeheartedly. Why should your valiant effort go to waste? And while you valiantly distract, we shall valiantly spy and hang off ceilings – "
Gintoki ripped his hand out of Aya's grasp and squished their cheeks. "You get all the fun parts of this espionage act, no? You wanna trade? Really, I traded with you for the Lunar Aria performance, you can trade with me for this."
"Nuo", Aya mumbled. "I cwan't… I wuould rwaise suspiscioun…"
"Well", Gintoki's face contorted into a sinister smile, "what better distraction is there than that?"
Before Aya had the chance to mumble something out again, Kagura pushed Gintoki's face away and he crashed back into his seat. "Don't put all of this on Aya-chan, Gin-chan! Sure, it was their idea to spend a whole day watching movies, but we learned a lot! Like… Uh… The name is Bond… Ah, no, the name is Kagura, Kagura Kagura!"
"And you didn't even learn that!"
He'll cut them off. When this thing inevitably goes wrong, he'll cut all ties with them and pretend he doesn't know anything.
However…
"Aya. Keep them out of trouble."
"…I will."
The shuttle docked with a shudder and the doors slid open. Gintoki decided to disembark first, before he could change his mind and crash back down on Earth.
When Aya had initially shot him with the bazooka, he felt better than he had in… months.
But something changed today. He wasn't tormented by nightmares nor frightening images of others around him like he usually was. However, there was a sense of urgency taking root within him that made his heart ram against his ribcage.
Only when he had a chance to pet Sadaharu did that feeling subside.
I miss him.
"You have arrived!"
The man waiting outside the shuttle hurriedly bowed and offered his hand to help Gintoki disembark. However, his hand went unnoticed as Gintoki stared onwards at the majestic gate above them, opening like a menacing mouth ready to swallow them all.
"Please, let me lead the way."
The man said as he stared at Gintoki, his eyes flashing silver; that flickering reminded him of a person from what felt was a long time ago. One he thought was a helpless victim, who then turned out to be Ren's spy.
A chill went through his body. For the first time that day, Gintoki felt completely calm.
He smiled at the man. "I'm in your care", he said sweetly, imagining that he just ate a dango.
The man jolted and reddened as he quickly turned around towards the exit, almost running away from Gintoki.
And as he allowed himself to be led away, the rest of the team silently slipped away.
Oi… is this the wrong party?
Gintoki's heart sunk for the third time that evening.
He probably should have guessed, judging by the sheer amount of people waiting to even get on the spaceship, but this was far from a small celebration that Ren had described.
Standing on top of the massive staircase gave him a good vantage point over the thousands of people gathered in the hall. He briefly saw Tatsuma in the crowd and without meaning to, smiled in relief.
Did I leave the stove on? I should probably go back and check, right?
But as soon as he noticed Ren at the bottom of the stair, all uneasiness flew out of his mind. The familiar sense of appreciation he usually felt in the man's presence grounded him. If it helps me distract him, guess I'd better use it.
He didn't want to be connected to him in a way full of deceit and secrecy any longer. After getting the scroll, he would remove both Ren and this strange feeling that kept overtaking him out of his life once and for all.
But for now, he would embrace it.
He shook Ren's hand and in return, Ren repeated his Imperial greeting. "In place of the thousands of burning stars, I'll embrace your silver moonlight."
"So", Gintoki interrupted, his hand flimsily hanging in Ren's grasp, and looked around. "Is this your idea of a small gathering? What's a big one for you? A planet?"
Ren held Gintoki's hand as he descended the last of the steps. "I apologize", he charmingly said, a charming smile bubbling on his charming face. Stop! "I truly did not anticipate a party in my honor would attract so many people."
"Huh", Gintoki said, not entirely convinced. "What, being a prince isn't enough for some folks?"
They passed by so many people dressed up in fancy clothes that they had all started to become a blur to him. He lost sight of Tatsuma a while ago.
"I would say it is too much."
Gintoki looked up at Ren. For some reason, his tall frame appeared oddly vulnerable. The golden crown on his head looked like it could fall off at any moment. Ren was looking forward, but his gaze was cloudy and its usual silver a dim gray.
Their fingers brushed against each other and Gintoki's hand jolted in response. Ren glanced down at him and his eyes widened in surprise, the silver in his irises igniting.
Gintoki wanted to tell Ren to continue and to stop being enigmatic, but before he could do so, a familiar figure jumped out in front of them, jolting them out of their reverie.
"Blank-kun?"
Blank-kun's face lit up in joy. "See, I told you he knows me!" he turned towards the rest of his group.
Actually, I'm calling you Blank-kun because I don't know you!
Gintoki was suddenly surrounded by a black wall of Celestial Order uniforms, regal and extravagantly threaded with gold. Except Blank-kun, he recognized a few of the knights from the hellish morning a couple of days ago, when they flooded the Kabukicho streets with flowers. The rest, however, he hadn't seen before.
Everyone was staring at him like he just did an amazing backflip.
Should I start with a story? Or a joke?
Gintoki hoped the smile he forced didn't look lopsided. "So… Nice ship you have here… Looks real sturdy…" Shinpachi, Kagura, Aya… I pray you found the scroll.
A stylish knight with wavy blonde hair stepped forward with a tray of bubbling pink champagne. "Yes, it is the Empire's most advanced spaceship and its crowning achievement. Equipped with everything a person could wish for, isn't that correct, my Lord?"
Gintoki reached for the glass, but as his fingers closed around its body, an unsettling sensation washed over him. His gaze turned upwards and he met the blonde knight's eyes. They flickered silver, as Gintoki had noticed each knights' eyes have been doing for a while now, but something else made his skin crawl. There was something deeper in the knight's gaze, beyond the silver light.
"Have we met before?" Gintoki asked without thinking.
The knight's eyes widened, but only for a split second. Gintoki thought he imagined the whole thing as the knight smiled in apology. "I do not think so. I would surely remember someone like you."
"Right", Gintoki said and quickly took a sip of champagne before doing a double take. "Strawberry?" he asked and looked up at Ren.
He caught a brief scowl on Ren's face as he glared at the other knight, but it quickly vanished when he looked downwards at Gintoki. "I hope you find it enjoyable."
It seemed like Ren's thing was giving away strawberry-flavored things, and Gintoki couldn't complain one bit.
He finished the glass and took another from the tray still held by the blond knight. "So, who wants to hear the story about a time I had to fight off a lady controlling ghosts… ah no, Stands at a Stand resort?"
There was a brief pause before dozens of hands flew up in the air.
The strawberry champagne made Gintoki feel fuzzy and warm inside as he continued to joke around and laugh with the Celestial Order knights. Contrary to what he expected of them, they turned out to be awfully friendly. He even found the way they bent over laughing at his jokes or getting invested in his stories nice.
I could get used to this.
And just as everything was going smooth and dandy, Ren looked around, his expression gloomy. "I apologize, I haven't greeted your family yet. Do you happen to know where they went?"
Oh, they're just busy robbing your ship.
Gintoki had to act quick. His eyes zeroed in on the champagne glass in his hand and the plan in his head formed at lightning speed.
"Aaaaah", Gintoki moaned and dramatically put a hand on his forehead. He then pretended to stumble and feebly leaned on Ren. He looked upwards at the Imperial Prince through his eyelashes and slowly fluttered them, turning the whole act up a notch. "I must've drunk too much… What were you saying?"
Take this, Yamazaki Kento.
Ren was frozen, staring wide-eyed down at him as his arms stiffened in midair around him.
"I…" Ren said hesitantly. "Are you alright? You can rest… I have a bed… I shall take you there…" He struggled with getting the words out and he paled as the last ones left his mouth. "Of course, I will leave you there… But certainly not unattended, I meant – "
"Please, lean on me!" A knight stepped forward and gripped his shoulder.
Another one grabbed his hand. "Let me escort you somewhere quieter."
And soon enough, they all swarmed him, each with their own suggestion as it suddenly became a competition of who would be the loudest.
What is this…
Gintoki truly stumbled this time, caused by all the pushing, and he would have fallen were it not for Ren pressing his hand against the small of his back. Gintoki glanced up at him and Ren stared back, the weight on his back getting hotter by the second.
"I apologize for their discomposure. Will you allow me to escort you someplace quiet?"
Mission complete!
"Okay – "
"Sweets frea… Gintoki."
Gintoki stiffened; he heard a voice he knew all too well. He wanted to abort the mission, find the nearest shuttle and fly to the next planet. The last time he saw Hijikata was four days ago after that disastrous… whatever that was. When Hijikata was out of sight, Gintoki could try to pretend he felt nothing for the gruff police officer. But as soon as he turned around, the fragile pretense crumbled and his heart treacherously skipped a beat.
Why did that gorilla have to make Hijikata handsome? He was supposed to be the main character, is that it?
"What is it?" he dismissively asked.
Gintoki was on a mission. He would not be distracted by Hijikata's steely blue eyes nor his V-shaped bangs nor his formal uniform that made his shoulders look huge –
Hijikata lightly bowed and offered his hand.
"May I have this dance?"
Before he even had the time to mull over the absurd question, Gintoki answered in a shocked voice.
"…No?"
Just remembering the phone call earlier in the day made Hijikata's blood boil.
"Oi, just calling you to let you know we'll go to Ren's party today. And take something. Okay, bye."
"WAIT!"
The Shinsengumi headquarters was teeming with members in a hurry, trying to grab their gear and head out as soon as humanly possible. Their task for the day was to provide backup protection on the Imperial spaceship.
"Hold on – Sasaki, stop dragging your feet and get a move on!" Hijikata was overseeing the ruckus in the courtyard as he waited for the members to assemble. However, the indifferent voice coming from the phone didn't wait.
"I told you in advance, so you can't complain later, capische?"
In advance!? The party starts in an hour, you idiot!
"Wait – "
But Gintoki ignored his pleas and hung up on him. The beeping noise of the ended call seemed to mock Hijikata and he turned around to find a victim to release his pent-up anger on.
"Oi, Yamazaki! Get back in there and grab a box from my desk!"
Yamazaki froze like a deer stuck in the headlights. "The one with the red bow? Were you talking to danna just now? Is that for him?"
"Just. Get. The. Box."
"Yes, Vice-Commander!"
Yamazaki escaped inside as most of the Shinsengumi members filed outside. He said they'll take something? Do I even want to know what those morons are planning?
"Kondou-san", Sougo drawled, materializing by Hijikata's side. Hijikata was so distracted by the conversation with Gintoki that the sadist probably had plenty of time to assassinate him. "Hijikata-bastard is breaking the Kyokuchuu Hatto by talking on the phone, can I execute him?"
"You little…"
"Hahaha, well, we can forgive him this time if he talked to Yorozuya, right?"
Hijikata's head started to pound. He wasn't even on the job, yet it felt like he was done with a fifteen-hour shift. He only hoped that whatever Gintoki and the gang had in store wouldn't cause him even more of a headache.
Yet there he was, three hours later, disbelief crashing into him with the force of a tsunami as he saw Gintoki appear in the ballroom.
Even from afar, Gintoki wrenched his breath away. The crowd, the music, the gold, it all faded away as the sound of his heartbeat thundered in his ears. Hijikata thought he would be somewhat used to Gintoki's appearance by now, but he could not have been more wrong.
Hijikata adored him.
Adored the way Gintoki moved with a sword in hand, adored his voice when they bickered, adored his unruly hair bouncing around his face. He adored his maroon eyes that mischievously bent when he was up to no good, or how they gently curved as he silently watched over Kagura and Shinpachi and that humongous dog.
And as the music sluggishly trickled in his ears and the party guests came into view, he again noticed that the people around him were staring at Gintoki like he was a museum piece, the same way they were ogling him a week ago at the festival. They didn't know about all these little things, about what made Gintoki truly special.
And that made Hijikata feel… troubled.
He noticed a familiar figure in the crowd and he pushed forward. Sakamoto Tatsuma. A brilliant tradesman that played a pivotal role in the Joui War with a smile rarely leaving his face.
He still couldn't shake off the image of Gintoki and him embracing each other on the night of the festival, burning in his mind like dying embers.
"Tch. What are they gawking at? It's like they've never seen a human before."
He felt strangely better voicing his complaints to someone. Even if that person was his rival.
But the feeling didn't last long.
The more Tatsuma talked, the more apparent it became that Hijikata didn't know everything about Gintoki. He didn't know his favorite flowers were dandelions. Hell, he didn't even know he liked flowers. It felt as if he was unearthing sparkling gems, knowing that some were buried so deep he would never reach them.
But Tatsuma knew all these things.
Didn't Hijikata decide to give up on Gintoki once and for all? What was this irritation about, bubbling up inside him over others being closer to Gintoki than him?
However, that bubbling soon turned into a maelstrom as he caught sight of Gintoki being groped all over by the Celestial Order knights.
"I can't take this anymore."
Without a second more to waste, he rushed towards the other side of the podium, dodging the twirling dance pairs as he struggled to keep Gintoki in his sight.
Quietly pining, my ass.
Shirking his duties was Sougo's thing and not Hijikata's, but in that moment he truly did not care. All he wanted to do was be at Gintoki's side.
The Imperial Prince's hand on Gintoki's back and the way they stared at each other loomed in front of him like a doomful avalanche and before he could stop himself, Hijikata called out to Gintoki.
"Sweets frea… Gintoki."
Gintoki slowly turned around.
He looked even more stunning up close. His skin was glowing like burning amber and his full eyelashes reminded him of the fluttering wings of a white butterfly. His eyes gleamed like vibrant garnets and his lips looked as soft as the petals of a scarlet rose.
"May I have this dance?" Hijikata struggled to keep his voice steady as he lightly bowed. His heart pounded, almost thumping in his throat, as he waited for Gintoki's answer with an outstretched hand.
"…No?"
"No?" Hijikata incredulously repeated. "Why not?"
Gintoki stared down at him like he was a gum stuck on the sole of his shoe. "Because I'm busy", he hissed.
Hijikata glanced behind Gintoki. The knights were staring daggers at him, but he didn't want to give up. He wanted to give Gintoki a way out of that situation.
That, and…
No. He only came here to help Gintoki out. I'll ask just one more time. He straightened his upper body, his hand still outstretched towards Gintoki. "One song."
Gintoki looked ready to drill a hole in his head with his glare. He briefly glanced towards Ren, as if his decision had everything to do with the man, before stepping forward and placing his hand in Hijikata's.
"One song."
Hijikata's heart fluttered.
The music abruptly stopped and the podium started clearing out as they strode to its center, but Gintoki didn't seem to notice as he kept looking back at Ren's group.
"They were all over you."
Gintoki distractedly looked at him. "Huh? Oh, yeah."
"Are you okay?"
The music started once more, but the melody was different. It had a higher tempo and a more dramatic flair than the toned-down tune of the previous waltzes.
Gintoki was still looking back.
Hijikata stepped forward and circled Gintoki's waist, nudging him towards his body, and Gintoki gasped in surprise. Hijikata's left palm rested on Gintoki's back as his right hand held Gintoki's fingers in his own.
The deep strokes of the cello introduced the high and intense strings of the violin as they glared at each other and twirled in rhythm.
"So, is the Shinsengumi here to party? Color me surprised", Gintoki said cheekily and smirked. "Our tax money is sinking into mud."
Hijikata rolled his eyes. "At least we're not here to mess things up as usual like you do. What the hell are you up to?"
"I told you already."
The music abruptly stopped.
Hijikata tightened his grip on Gintoki's waist as he stepped forward and bent him backwards. Gintoki grabbed the back of Hijikata's neck for support, bringing their faces dangerously close.
The orchestra continued in a more urgent and carnal rhythm.
"You're here to take what?" Hijikata whispered against Gintoki's ear. He felt a dull throb in his abdomen where their bodies touched.
"… None of your business."
He held Gintoki a bit longer in the tilt, admiring his furrowed brow and parted lips, before lifting Gintoki up and separating his muscled body from his own.
The music became more powerful as they circled each other, only their fingertips brushing against one another in feather-light touches. Hijikata couldn't see nor hear anything else besides Gintoki and the electrifying melody moving their bodies.
He didn't need to.
Hijikata noticed a shift in Gintoki's behavior as he once again held him in his arms.
"Fine", Gintoki said in defeat as he moved closer to whisper against Hijikata's lips. "We're here for a scroll. Something that can put the Emperor three feet under. And I'm supposed to be here to distract Ren, but I can't do that while you're distracting me from distracting Ren!"
Hijikata looked over Gintoki's shoulder and met the Imperial Prince's frigid eyes. "Oh, he's distracted alright", he mumbled.
"What?"
"Nothing. Anyways, I got you something. Since you keep getting yourself in trouble, I thought you might need it."
While he wanted to give Gintoki the box wrapped with the bow, he decided to be more conspicuous and just put the phone he finally bought him in the pocket of his jacket.
"It's a phone. Just give me a call right away if you need something. Or text." He hoped Gintoki wouldn't get the bright idea again of calling him at the last minute before doing something extreme.
Or not call at all.
"Couldn't it wait? And I don't need it. If you get me one, then Kagura will complain about hers, and then I'll have to buy Shinpachi one…"
Hijikata sighed. "I'll buy them phones as well, alright? And take it now, just in case. It's in my pocket. The ship has coverage, so it'll work. Call the number in it."
Gintoki's hand slipped from his shoulder and slid down his chest, his fingers caressing the front of his uniform as he stealthily searched for the phone.
Hijikata thought he was going to go crazy.
Gintoki's hand finally stilled over the outline of the phone. "I can name my contacts, right? Heh", he mischievously chuckled as he looked down, "I'll put Mayo Freak for your number."
Hijikata struggled to keep the smile of his face, but he failed spectacularly.
"You look really creepy now, you know that?"
I put you in my phone as Sweets Freak. We'll match.
He didn't say it out loud, of course.
The orchestra started slowing down to prepare for the final movement of their piece. They didn't have a lot of time left.
"Just take it", Hijikata urged Gintoki.
Gintoki gave him a blank stare. "And put it where, Hijikata-kun? Did you really ask me to dance to give me the phone? Why do we have to do this…"
No. "Do you think I could've gotten time alone with you? Especially with your… mission. Besides, we danced that one time when we pretended we were siblings and our parents were dancers in episode 166, so we have experience - "
"This is different", Gintoki interrupted him, his gaze following his fingers that traced the outline of the phone.
The music picked up its tempo as it started to unravel into a beautiful chaos.
"Different how?"
"We were handcuffed back then! And I didn't…"
"Didn't what?"
The orchestra reached the climax of the piece. The rich notes of the instruments entrapped each other as they threatened to escape the constraints of the composition.
Gintoki looked up. His eyes burned and Hijikata could only let himself be consumed by their blaze.
"… I didn't like you back then. And I'm not as childish as you to keep pretending that I don't."
"I'm more childish than you? Ha! In what universe?"
"You idiot… Did you even hear what I said?"
The tips of Gintoki's ears reddened, contrasting the silver of his hair beautifully. The blush spread over his cheeks as Hijikata continued to stare at him in shock.
"What…"
Oh.
But before Hijikata could compose himself, Gintoki used the last notes of the musical piece to skillfully switch their positions. Hijikata felt his body falling backwards, only to be caught by Gintoki's firm hand on his back.
The melody came to an end and silence descended on the podium. Gintoki's eyes curved as he devilishly smirked down at him.
"I like you, Hijikata Toushirou."
Hijikata wanted this moment to last forever; to bottle it up and seal it for all eternity to cherish. Without thinking, he raised his hand to caress Gintoki's cheek, but Gintoki pulled him up as the thunderous applause of the surrounding guests echoed through the ballroom.
Gintoki gave him one last wink and after mouthing a little thank you, he turned around and went back to the Imperial Prince.
Hijikata gripped his chest as he tried to calm the erratic beating of his heart. In that moment, he realized that the pocket of his jacket was empty.
I like you, too, Sakata Gintoki.
"Hijikata-san is a brave and strapping man."
Gintoki had barely heard Ren. His mind was racing with the scenes of what happened just moments before. He said it.
Gintoki finally said it.
And he was so smooth about it.
"Yeah, he…" Gintoki stopped himself in time and coughed to hide his embarassment. "I mean, if he could curb his mayo obsession a bit, he'd be alright."
While he was gone, a group of newcomers joined the knights. Gintoki could sense the tension building up between the two sides as they barely concealed their disdain for each other.
A tall and gangly man wearing an eye-catching moon locket stepped forward. "I must say, seeing you in the flesh is terribly different than on a meager screen."
His eyes flickered silver as he beamed at Gintoki. He resembled a cat that had just eaten a canary.
"Yeah, you know how it is. TV makes reality seem absolutely shitty. That's why you watch even more TV to drown your sorrows."
The man's smile twitched a bit. "No, you misunderstand. I did not - "
"Well", Ren interrupted, his lips trembling for some reason, "I thought you and Hijikata-san danced most excellently."
The rest of Ren's knights jumped in with colorful praises of their own, all while giving dirty looks to the reddening group across them.
"You were the brightest stars of the evening!"
"How could anyone think you were anything short of spectacular?"
The other side started to respond. "You don't know what Lord Canus meant!"
As both their and the opposing groups' voices started to raise, Gintoki leaned over to whisper at Ren. "Who's the old man?"
"That is Lord Canus. The patriarch of one of the noble families of the Empire and head of the Imperial religion", Ren whispered back and subtly pointed to the moon locket hanging on Lord Canus' chest. "They worship… used to worship the Moon God."
"Used to? What happened?"
Ren stayed silent for a moment, a shadow passing over his face. "They…", he started, but hesitated before turning towards him. "Would you like me to show you?"
Ten minutes later, they stood in front of a giant statue.
After silently slipping away from the quarreling group, Ren led Gintoki through secluded hallways, each decked with majestic glass panels spanning from the floor to the colossal ceilings. Gintoki would sometimes slow down to admire the brilliance of the stars and each time he got the craving to share sake with Tatsuma once more.
At first, Gintoki could see nothing in the dark, but as he followed Ren's back, he soon made out a faint glow in the distance.
It was the statue of a man, no more than three meters tall, who held a lush tree in the palm of his hand, gently staring down at it.
"This is our Moon God, the deity we worship."
Gintoki looked back at Ren. He was peering up at the statue, his eyes filled with wonder and devotion. In that moment, the expression on his face was the most natural one Gintoki had ever seen him don.
As if influenced by Ren's bliss, Gintoki felt a warmth settle in his chest as he studied the statue's face.
His mind wandered to two days ago, when Katsura said the most absurd thing Gintoki had ever heard come out of his mouth.
"I am against this, Gintoki."
Katsura leaned against the wooden railing in front of the Yorozuya office, his arms crossed and his face stern. The night was unusually cold for spring, and his arms trembled a little. Gintoki almost thought he looked pitiful.
Almost.
"Against what, Zura?" Gintoki asked. His voice was as languid as ever, but that didn't mean he wasn't annoyed. "Against me helping? Is that why you and Tatsuma were working alone all this time?"
Katsura sighed as if he was dealing with a tantrum-throwing child. "I'm not against you helping. In fact, I'm glad we have you on our side. But why do you have to be the one getting aboard that ship?"
Gintoki gave him an incredulous look. "…To help?"
"There are so many other things you can do, Gintoki. We need to have a man on the ground to coordinate the mission."
"Isn't that the perfect job for you?"
"You could command your men better from headquarters."
"My men… Shinpachi, Kagura and Sadaharu?"
"Or better yet - "
"Zura!"
It had only been a few hours since Aya shot him again with the bazooka, but he felt infinitely better, as if some mountainous pressure compressing his brain and lungs lifted after the everlasting torment. He breathed easier, his thoughts flowed undisturbed and his heart beat with a renewed vigor.
It was as if he was cast under a spell. He recalled a similar feeling when Aya first put the makeup on before the performance in the candlelit tent, however the effects this time were much stronger.
Even his irritation with this back-and-forth game with Katsura didn't ruin this newfound, liberating sensation.
"Stop spewing useless things and just say it. Why is it a bad idea for me to go?"
Katsura stayed silent for a moment. He moved from the railing and straightened his back, looking over the balcony into the moonlit night. His eyes seemed clouded and strangely far away, as if he wasn't gazing at the rooftops of the Kabukicho, but at a distant, buried memory.
"Gintoki. The Empire's ambition isn't focused on Earth. It's merely a side goal. The reason they came here is… because of you."
Gintoki first thought he heard him wrong. He couldn't help but laugh at the words Katsura gravely uttered. "Me? Ha… I swear, if you heard that at the amusement park or somewhere - "
"I'm sure of it, Gintoki. After seeing you perform, I…" he weakly trailed off. He wearily rubbed his forehead. "I've been gathering evidence. Records. Everything I could get my hands on. Their religion, no, their whole empire is connected to you. I swear I'll explain as soon as I find the last piece, but – "
"Isn't that all the more reason for me to go?"
Katsura stopped and turned his head towards Gintoki. He was staring at him like he grew another head.
Ugh.
He's got your back in more ways than you can imagine, Tatsuma's words rang in his head. More like he's hanging onto my back like a ghost.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Zura?" It's like we're kids again. Seriously. "I'll go to their ship and get that final piece for you. Then we'll debunk your dumb theory and focus on what really matters."
"Gintoki – "
"Don't take everything on by yourself. You can at least go all out with me around, right?"
Gintoki turned his head to the starry sky, avoiding looking at Katsura and his frowning face. The Empire, Aya's brother… It all faded away as the bustle of the Kabukicho underneath them overpowered those looming threats. It grounded him in the moment, and with a start, Gintoki realized that he hadn't felt like this in a long time.
"Fine." Katsura conceded, his arms falling at his sides as he turned towards the door. "Do what you want."
Before he could go in, however, Gintoki grabbed a fistful of his hair, a vein on his forehead threatening to pop. "And where do you think you're going, Zura? I hope you're not gonna spout some bullshit about knitting and wearing?"
"Ah, it's weaving and wearing. Wait, you're pulling it out – "
"If you do that, I'll make you a Zura for real", Gintoki smiled, his voice sinister.
"AAAAGH!"
His shrill scream rang out in the air before seamlessly blending in the ruckus of the Kabukicho night.
Ren's voice yanked him out of the memory.
"Gintoki?"
"Huh?" Gintoki said distractedly, his gaze shifting to focus on Ren. "Oh, I was just thinking about why your god is, you know, hidden away like a…" Porn mag. Gintoki coughed and waved his arm around the shadowy hallway. "Like this."
Ren stayed silent, only staring back at him. It seemed as if his mind was racing, his brow tense in regret, only to be furrowed the next moment in defiance.
"I do not wish to speak of it. After all, I only have but a day's time before I must leave for the Empire. And I wish to spend it all on you, Gintoki."
Gintoki almost laughed in disbelief. It was a childish response, coming from someone like the Imperial Prince, and especially since Ren brought him all the way out here to tell him about the Moon God.
"Hoo, I'm honored. Am I to interpret your words as me being more important than your god, Prince Ren?" Gintoki jokingly asked, craning his neck to look up at the statue.
"Yes."
The ship's motion brought the sapphire glow of the Earth into view, illuminating the dark corridor.
"Day and night", Ren said, his voice shaking with anguish, "you are all I think about. When I see you, I desire for the moment to last forever, yet when I do not, I wish for time to disappear altogether until I am with you once again."
Ren stepped towards Gintoki and Gintoki moved back, holding a hand up to keep him away. His heart stuttered in his chest, but it felt wrong. When he danced with Hijikata, it leapt in his chest like a bird in flight, however in this moment, those now trapped feathers only painfully scraped against his ribcage.
"I think you just got too attached to a new friend, Ren", Gintoki dismissed what he'd just heard. "And I don't feel the same way." I don't.
"No."
Gintoki's heart burned as Ren got closer to him. His eyes were glinting silver in adoration, only he wasn't looking at the statue. Ren was gazing down at Gintoki, half of his face glowing blue. Ren brought his hand up to Gintoki's cheek, but he didn't touch him as his fingertips lingered over his skin.
"It is all your fault. Why did you have to be so loveable? Why is your soul so blinding to gaze upon? Even as I feel myself going blind, I have no desire to turn away. I thought I knew beforehand what I was getting myself into, but I could not have been more wrong."
Gintoki put his palm on Ren's chest and pushed him away. It was weak. His mind was all muddled. "You're talking nonsense. What did you think you were getting into?"
"I've been looking for you for the longest time", Ren said. He took Gintoki's hand on his chest into his and bent down on one knee in front of him. "I can make everything right with you by my side, Gintoki."
"Me? Make what right?"
Shit. Zura was right.
Ren's nonsense was starting to get to him. Gintoki felt a dull thud in his head as he barely held onto Ren's words.
"Return with me to the Empire."
You're crazy. Ren's eyes were desperate, almost begging as he looked up at Gintoki.
"…No."
"Gintoki…" Ren pleaded.
BOOM.
A thunderous shock rippled through the spaceship's hull. The shockwave jerked Ren and Gintoki's bodies as they struggled to stay upright, followed by a deafening sound of an explosion.
Gintoki yanked his hand out of Ren's and ran towards the source of the blast.
"Gintoki!"
He didn't stop. And he didn't look back.
Shinpachi. Kagura...
His mind cleared as his body followed only one order.
...Aya.
Find them.
Once again, Beliyar found himself next to the obsidian throne.
"What do you see?"
The listless voice came from his left side. She wasn't looking at him as she spoke. The Emperor eyed the arena below them, yet again holding a goblet full of strong-smelling alcohol.
Beliyar turned his head downwards, his gaze indifferently passing over the frenzied audience and focusing on the center of the blood-stained podium. Two enormous monsters fought for dominance, ripping into each other as their every strike caused a wave of euphoria to ripple through the crowd.
"Two mindless beasts", Beliyar haughtily responded, trying not to show the excitement he felt looking at them wrestle to death.
No response came from the Emperor. Beliyar whipped his head downwards, only to find himself frozen under her coal-black, menacing eye. He felt like a bug studied under a magnifying glass of a curious child.
"…Mindless." The Emperor smirked, as if he'd told some kind of a joke. She amusedly continued. "Then, out of these two mindless beasts, which do you think will prevail?"
Beliyar nervously gulped and looked back on the battleground. The monster that caught his eye from the start had a feline-type body, with razor-sharp fangs and lightning-fast claws. "The catlike one."
"Kama? Hmmm…" The Emperor hummed.
Beliyar tried his best not to stare at the metal mask covering the right side of her face, almost down to her lips. Who could do something like that to the Emperor?
"Alright. Let us make a bet; if Kama wins, you can ask anything of me. And vice versa; if Dolga wins, I have the right to ask anything of you."
While it didn't sound like a question, Beliyar nodded in agreement and watched the fight, biting his nails in apprehension. Why bother even naming these senseless monsters?
"It has been done."
Beliyar heard an unfamiliar voice join the dais on which they stood, but he ignored it as he watched the cat pounce on the other monster's back, sinking its claws into the flesh.
"Finally. The beginning of the end has come."
The panther's fangs wound around the monster's neck, and it snapped with a deafening crunch. Beliyar gazed into the eyes of the defeated monster, their light snuffed out like the flame of a candle. He felt conflicted; he was satisfied with Kama's victory, yet something in his mind screamed in warning.
The Emperor offered him the goblet filled with a dark liquid. "Drink and ask."
Beliyar's nose scrunched up in protest as he obeyed and took a sip. The liquor scorched his esophagus and split through his head as he coughed in panic. He dropped the goblet and it clanged down the stairs, spilling the blood-red liquid as he went on all fours to heave and vomit. How could anyone drink this!?
"Ask."
He stared up the throne through teary eyes at her, sniveling beneath her feet. "Water… I need water…"
"Is that your request?"
"…Yes…" he rasped.
The Emperor chuckled. "That truly is humble for someone of your stature, Prince Beliyar. However", her gaze turned sharp and her tone ice-cold, "consider this my final warning; mind your tongue."
Beliyar's vision blurred as he struggled to get up.
"And be careful what you wish for."
That was the last thing he heard before everything went dark.
Thank you so much for reading!
ViVi, I'm so glad you like the story! :DDD