The moonlight began to illuminate the place for the newly refugees. It was a dark alleyway with a rustic feel, stone walls and floor with a long corridor that wasn't that narrow, but wasn't that spacious either, so the group managed to settle in with difficulty so that they could finally rest.
Kagura was placed in the corner next to a small staircase that led to an abandoned bar, with Hijikata smoking next to her, which made her look uncomfortable. The rest were scattered, except for the albino, who was isolated, standing on the corner to try to fix his arm, where he had torn part of the sleeve of his yukata and made a "disguise" to hide his wound.
"Look, we seem to have a lone wolf here." - Karasu said, stepping out of the shadows. - "Looks like you're the type who prefers to work alone."
"What made you come to that conclusion?"
"Let's just say that your style of fighting is unlike any other I've seen in all these years. It's as if you play the saxophone very well without ever having heard jazz before, it's a different but pleasant sound."
"What a terrible analogy."
"If you say so."
The albino paused for a moment to reflect, as he realized that he was still facing another enemy with his guard down and now that the deal had been concluded, he could attack him at any moment. He took out the small dagger from his pocket and handed it back.
"Take this back." - The crow took the gun and stowed it inside his black overcoat. When he looked at the albino again, his arm was outstretched. - "You can capture me now."
"Forget it."
"Hmm?" - He was confused.
"I heard your partner is pregnant. Get her out of there and to a safe place." - He lit a cigar. - "I'll tell Rey that you managed to escape thanks to Damian. Use this opportunity as a... retribution."
"You're being very nice, aren't you?"
"I'm just a crow with a soft heart when it comes to these things." - He stared into the moonlight. - "... Like a soft note in a melancholy blues."
"..." - The albino stared at him in confusion. Karasu turned away, but before he walked, he left a dialog behind.
"Ah, your friend will be fine, the darts only paralyze the target, they don't poison them... The fever is just a consequence of having something in your body that doesn't belong to you." - She started walking, leaving him behind with a nod. - "See ya, Shiroyasha."
"What a weird guy."
The albino returned to the others who were talking to each other, going straight to the little redhead, placing his hand directly on her forehead in order to see her current situation.
"The fever has gone down, that's good. If I were your father right now, I'd give you a big pot of porridge to get better soon." - He joked.
"If you were my father, I'd say you were a terrible father."
It hurt the albino's soul, like a stitch in his chest. The sharp words hurt him deeply, but he tried to cover it up with a false smile after a short break in silence. Fumiko realized the situation, but just watched.
"Yeah, you're right... I'm sorry for being like this." - He said, taking off his yukata and covering her. - "Well... I think it's time to go."
"To Kabukicho? I think you'd better stop by Yoshiwara." - Fumiko shifted her gaze to the gray-haired boy as she spoke. - "It's closer to here, if you know what I mean."
"..." - The albino watched the two members before coming to his conclusion. - "Maybe you're right, but we're only spending the night there."
"Perfect! Hinowa-san will be happy to know!"
The group dispersed; the policemen returned to the barracks while the quartet made their way quickly back to Yoshiwara. It didn't take long for them to arrive, heading straight for Hinowa's house, where they were greeted by her and Lucca. Hinowa put Kagura to sleep in Seita's room with a damp cloth over her forehead, while Shinpachi chatted in the kitchen. Gintoki was waiting for Tsukuyo on the balcony of her room, who quickly came out of the shower wearing a black nightgown with lace details. He was in a state of reflection about the previous conversation he'd had with Kagura.
The redhead's words stuck like chewing gum in his mind, making him upset and unable to come to an agreement with himself. He knew he wasn't a good person to be called "dad", but to hear it from a person he considered his daughter was a real shock of reality. Now a new fear developed, like a chill in his stomach, of not being enough for his son.
He knew the importance of being a father more than anyone, even though he never had a father figure to show him the right way. And what about Shouyou-sensei? He wasn't really a father, at least he didn't see him that way. He was one level above teacher and student and one level below father and son.
Tsukuyo saw him standing there, but backed away and leaned on the door that separated the room from the balcony. She recognized that look in the albino's eyes better than anyone and already knew that he seemed tense about something. After a short while, he broke the silence with a tone of seriousness.
"From the time I've been standing here and the worried look on your face, I suspect something has happened." - She started walking towards the albino, putting her hand on his shoulder. - "Do you want to tell me?"
"To be quite honest, no." - He said. - "It's just a silly fear of a guy who's not at all prepared to take on his own responsibilities."
"And you think I am?"
"Yes. You're always prepared, Tsukuyo."
"You are the biggest bootlicker in the world." - She mocked. - "Come on, I'll take care of your injuries."
The albino didn't refuse. He took off his shirt and sat down on his bed with a bottle of beer in his hands. She picked up a small first-aid kit and knelt behind him, putting bandages over some small cuts on his back. Talking to her was becoming a therapy for his tired mind, her voice wasn't angelic, but it reassured him like one, and her hands running over his body helped him even more, letting go of some of the tension and just enjoying the little moment.
"I hate it when that happens." - She said, after putting the bandage on, resting her forehead and keeping her hand on the bandage.
"What exactly?"
"When you hurt yourself like that. You should worry a bit more about yourself."
"I know..."
"I'm afraid of losing you. I don't want you to..." - She sighed. - " I don't want the baby to be left without knowing his own father." - She said embarrassed.
At first, only the albino raised his eyebrows, but the realization dawned on him that he now had a serious commitment. He put the bottle on the dresser and turned back to look at the face of the woman he loved so much.
"I'm also afraid of losing you both, so take care of yourself."
"You can leave it; I'll take care of myself."
The blonde just let a slight smile escape. He pushed her down on the bed and they began to kiss for long minutes. They had definitely discovered what longing really was, pouring all their energy into their kisses.
After a while, Gintoki was lying on her lap with a "lighter" look on his face. She stroked his silver hair, noticing how he had changed in such a short time. In a way, she also felt a little lighter as she watched him relax. He turned his head upwards and began a short conversation, staring at her face.
"I was just thinking..."
"About?"
"Us. I think it's past time to tell you about... us." - He said with a slightly worried expression. - "How do you think they reacted?"
"To be honest, I don't know. Hinowa would be excited, but Shinpachi and Kagura..."
"...I think they'd kill me." - He laughed softly. - "And the old woman too." - He stood up. - "And what do you think about that?"
"I don't see a problem with that. Maybe I'm keeping this secret so well that I'm lying to myself."
"I feel the same, ironic, isn't it?"
"Too much."
A new cycle of silence began in the room. Gintoki stared at the floor, going into reflection mode while Tsukuyo watched.
"What if..." - He said out loud, quite embarrassed. - "We lived together?"
"W-WHAT?" - She asked, even more embarrassed. - "Me and you? As a couple?!"
"It's just that... you know... we're in the middle of a battle... and you could end up getting hurt... Besides... I wanted to be close to the baby, you know?" - His voice gradually lowered as she spoke, hiding his flushed face by leaving it lowered.
"Wait..." - She looked at him in confusion. - "Are you serious?"
"Um... yes." - He nodded. - "I can't take you away from Yoshiwara, but I can't leave her either. So, if it's possible..."
"I don't see a problem with that." - She murmured quietly, pouting with her mouth, avoiding eye contact.
"Oh?!" - He looked surprised and frightened.
"Is there a problem?"
"No, none! I just didn't think it would be so easy to convince you."
"It's just that I've thought a bit about what you said that day. I really was being foolish and acting without thinking. I'm agreeing for the baby's sake..." - She said in a sad tone. - "But I can't leave Yoshiwara behind either."
"So that means you didn't agree to move in, but to spend a few days here and there so as not to disappoint me. Am I right?"
"Yes, how did you guess?"
"Because if I were you, I'd do the same."
She raised an eyebrow as if this speech had revived, for a moment, a conversation she'd had with Hinowa. The blonde let out a laugh that left the albino confused.
"It's funny, when Hinowa said we were the same I didn't believe her, but during this conversation I realized she was right." - She leaned his arms on the bed. - "It's no longer just a coincidence."
" It would be better to say that picking up the same habits as you."
"Habits, huh? I didn't even know I had any."
"Whenever you has his kiseru in his mouth, you tries to keep a serious expression. Is it to convey sovereignty? Or do you want to look respectable?" - He scoffed. - "Either way, both options suit you."
"Really? You seem to have read me like a book." - She laughed shyly. - "You're the complete opposite... You have the ability to be a powerful leader, but you prefer to hide behind a Jump, why is that?"
"Nah, those things aren't for me."
"There's another reason, isn't there?"
"No, I really don't like these things."
"If you say so..." - She spoke in a disappointed tone. - "But I feel there's something more."
He didn't answer or react, just stared at her in silence, causing her to raise an eyebrow when she realized she was right.
"When the time is right, I'll tell you."
"I understand, I'll be waiting until then."
-X-
"Aargh!" - Kondou grumbled. - "These guys are weird."
"Why do you say that, Kondou-san?" - Sougo asked
"Who in their right mind would hand over evidence and destroy it straight away?" - He put his hand over his face, then looked at the black-haired policeman, as he used his cell phone while holding his jacket behind his back. - "All our clues are gone! What do you think, Toshi?"
"I think..., No." - He closed the lid of his cell phone. - "I'm sure the guys who destroyed it aren't the same ones who would hand over the evidence. While one wants to be found out, the other wants to stop it, but why?"
"Maybe Yorozuya knows something." - The gorilla said.
"No, he doesn't know anything."
"Oh, you're defending Yorozuya, Hijikata-san? I thought you were mortal enemies." - Sougo spoke with a sarcastic tone.
"I'm far from defending him. I'm just trying to solve this case." - He lit a cigarette. - "Although I don't know where else to turn."
-X-
Early in the morning, the birds whistled and the branches rattled, making the morning noisy and causing the blue-eyed redhead to wake up extremely irritated. She was grumbling a lot about having had a bad night's sleep and this noise was only making matters worse. A knock from outside the room made her stop complaining and temporarily freeze in place. Then the knock was repeated and the doorknob turned, slowly opening the door.
"Kagura? Are you awake?" - The albino entered the room with a large bowl in his hands.
He was the last person she wanted to see at the moment, but she wouldn't have turned down a breakfast served by him for anything.
"Uh... Yes."
"Angry again?"
"Never, I'm better than ever." - She ironized.
"Oh, that's a shame. I brought you some porridge, but since you're feeling better, I don't think you'll need it anymore."
"I- I'm not better!" - She said quickly, trying to make the scene melodramatic. - "My fever hasn't gone down enough! And I can't feel my body! Cof! Cof!"
He didn't say anything, just let out a small laugh and handed the bowl to her, who in turn devoured it as if she hadn't eaten for several days.
"Oh yes, if you're saying..." - He held out his arm. His tone of voice seemed to become increasingly bitter. - "Here it is."
There was something he wanted to say. His face looked disappointed about something, so much so that the redhead noticed it easily. He sighed and took the form of a more serious person, trying to hide his emotions.
"Is something wrong, Gin-chan?"
"No, I was just distracted." - He tried to avoid eye contact. - "Have your porridge before it gets cold."
"Okay..."
Kagura's voice gradually diminished as she watched the albino get up and walk towards the door, but he didn't turn the handle to leave, he just rested his hand on it and looked back with that previously serious face.
"About last night..." - He fixed his eyes on the redhead's face. - "... Do you really think I'd be a bad father?"
"I don't know. I said that because I was angry with you, but I never imagined you would be like a father."
"Oh, I see." - I said, avoiding eye contact again. - "Thank you for your reply."
Gintoki left the room disappointed with the answer. He had expected a more precise answer from someone close to him, and knowing that he had a history of being a "terrible person to live with" made him increasingly disappointed. Kagura felt the atmosphere in the room grow heavy, even losing the desire to taste the porridge he had made. Her chest tightened more and more as she reflected on her relationship with him. He was the only one who had really welcomed her when she first arrived on earth, taught her tricks and quirks and even led her astray a few times, but whenever she had problems he helped her, helped her to the point of going to another planet after her. But in that split second, it seemed irrelevant, but why? She wasn't sure, perhaps she had never stopped and noticed these things, even though she always claimed that they were a family without delving into his relationships with each member, it was like a great mixture of fallacies and truths.