NOTE:
Hello, how are you? Welcome to another chapter, hehe. I'd love to hear some feedback on the story, if you could post a comment in the final notes, I'd be eternally grateful.
That's it, good reading everyone!
In the middle of a starry sky, a raven with a leather hat was watching the Kabukicho district intently. It flew from rooftop to rooftop until it landed in a dead end, where a sinister figure was waiting for it.
"Yami Karasu, you took your time." - Said a voice that was half hoarse and half thick. - "It's getting harder and harder to track you down."
"I'll take your word for it." - The raven spoke as he lit his luxury brand cigar. - "Regarding the meeting, your theory was correct. Shiroyasha has connections with the leader of Yoshiwara."
"The blonde woman?"
"Exactly. What's more, the plan went according to plan; he was believing the false evidence, except that an outside figure showed up and messed with the script." - He stared at an imaginary face and grudged it. - "Damned Damian!"
"Are they working together?"
"No. They're more like cat and mouse." - He took a drag. - "As far as I've noticed, leaking Damian's plans about territorial conquest in Yoshiwara and the expansion of Yohalo's drug sales has caused Shiroyasha to ignite an angry flame against Damian, leaving us on the sidelines."
"That's good. That way we can use it as a way of weakening him."
"How are you going to do that?"
" I won't say for now, I will just say that I will soon put the plan into practice." - With every step the sinister figure took, footsteps brushed against his ears. - "Ah Karasu, don't be fooled. I know you've been helping that damned silver samurai."
The crow felt a negative vibe coming from her voice, which made him tense up and his stomach churn, but he didn't let it show on his face.
"And if I find out about your betrayal again, I'll kill you."
"Right... Rey."
The figure, now Rey, plunged into the darkness caused by the lack of light in the city, leaving Karasu devastated. He didn't understand how Rey had found out about his brief "partnership" with the white demon, maybe there was a possible spy, but that was none of his business. Perhaps he saw it as possible entertainment during working hours, so much so that he smiled mischievously, revealing his eagerness to find out the outcome of the story.
-X-
The next morning, Tsukuyo was summoned by Fumiko to a private meeting at Yoshiwara. The place in question was inside the underground prison where the courtesan Kahena was being held captive.
The first moments Tsukuyo stepped inside the prison, she felt a chill followed by agonized cries begging her to get out. The blonde continued walking towards the cell, where she found Fumiko and the courtesan biting their nails in despair.
"What's going on here?" - The blonde asked in a firm voice, trying not to show fear in front of them.
"I don't know, she's been like this since last night." - Fumiko answered her in a worried tone. - "It's as if she's had contact with the drug again, but I checked beforehand to make sure. Fortunately, all the tests came back negative..."
"So, we're dealing with an endless cycle of addiction, huh?"
"Yes, that's why I called you here." - She cleared his throat. - "Tsukuyo, don't get me wrong, but you should be careful with Gintoki-dono... He's also had contact with the drug and..."
"I know." - She interrupted her. - "I'll take care of it soon, until then don't worry."
"Right..."
A little while later, Tsukuyo was walking towards the exit, only to be interrupted by the sound of heels colliding with the sandy ground.
"Boss, do you have a minute?" - Said a member of the east patrol group.
"Go ahead."
"It's about Fumiko-san..."
"Is there a problem?"
"None. But don't you think you're giving her too much confidence?"
"Don't get us wrong, boss." - Said the other girl. - "We're just afraid of Yoshiwara getting into the wrong hands."
"I understand your concern." - Said the blonde in a soft and more relaxing tone while swallowing her kiseru. - "Don't worry about it, I won't let anything like this happen."
"Boss..."
Although she hated to admit it, they were right; Tsukuyo had practically handed Yoshiwara over to someone who wasn't that close to her. She only knew Fumiko for her skills and achievements, but she didn't know her personality or her past, which was a huge oversight on her part that made her feel deeply angry with herself.
"Well, luckily nothing has happened so far... Maybe there's a chance that Fumiko really is someone you can trust." - he thought.
For a moment, he didn't recognize himself with that kind of thought. She wasn't the type to be cold, but she wasn't someone who gave away her trust right away either. Everything was strange. Everything was being put off until later and later, but why? The truth was that she was tired of all her problems and her noisy head only made things worse. As she walked along, her thoughts were cut off by the thick voice of a young man who was waiting for her outside the prison.
"I thought you'd take longer." - Said the ex-samurai.
"I didn't think you'd be here waiting for me."
"Well, I can't leave her alone and in danger."
"You know I can take care of myself!"
"Is that so?" - He held up his kunai holder. - "If you knew how to take care of yourself, you would have realized that I stole your kunai."
"WHAT? WHEN DID YOU ABLE TO CATCH HIM?"
He didn't answer her, just let out a sigh and gave her back all his kunai. He seemed more disappointed with her and perhaps, no, too concerned about her distraction with her thoughts. He was aware that it was all a side effect of the recent events that had taken place.
Normally, he would have invited her home, but he knew she was worried about spending a few days away from Yoshiwara. He didn't mind changing his plans to see her happy.
"Let's go for a walk." - He said, overtaking her. - "Are you coming?"
"Yes."
They barely started walking and suddenly Tsukuyo stopped about three steps away from their starting point, causing the albino to stop as well and turn back.
"Gintoki, I have something to tell you."
"Then talk."
"I... I want- I need to come back here. It's not bad living with you or anything, but I just... I can't stay away from this place."
"I know."
"Do you know?"
"That was quite obvious actually." - He sighed. - "You wouldn't leave this place for anything, would you?"
She nodded, letting her face show her dissatisfaction with the situation. Gintoki just lifted his face in complete silence, assuming that part of the blame lay with him, not knowing how to deal with it all very well.
"Let's change the plans."
"How?"
"You can stay here." - He said. - "As long as that child Alien doesn't come near you."
"That's not fair!" - She was annoyed. - "I can't leave Lucca behind."
"Don't worry about it, I've talked to Fumiko and she'll take care of Lucca." - He stared at her. - "Unlike you, I don't trust him blindly."
"..." - Tsukuyo lowered her guard for a moment, remaining silent for a few seconds as she looked away from him.
Although he hadn't meant to, he realized that the ice he had given her had left her heartbroken, but how would he get out of this situation? Indiscreetly he felt afraid that he would end up alienating her because of the things he thinks and does, but at the same time he felt the need to express his opinion.
"Come with me, I want to show you a place." - The albino invited her.
She just nodded, albeit confused and perhaps a little curious as to where he was taking her.
-X-
Fumiko was walking towards a house in the upper part of Yoshiwara where she was sheltering Lucca, carrying a bag containing some packaged food, such as cookies and snacks. As she walked, a female silhouette was waiting for her on a rooftop, ready to attack her.
The figure jumped with his wakizashi in hand, making Fumiko block his attack with her kunai, quickly dodging backwards. The silhouette, now revealed, wore the same uniform as the east patrol, but what really caught her eye was her exuberant beauty, with her black hair and eyes and a Chanel cut, well-shaped eyes with neutral makeup and pale skin with a mole on the top of her face.
"You took your time attacking me, Gai."
"I was just watching my opponent's steps."
Once again, Gai advanced towards her with several direct blows, focusing on Fumiko's vital points, who was now only on the defensive. After several exchanges of attacks, both retreated backwards, giving a distance of 3 feet, making Gai notice a small cut on his face made by Fumiko.
"Heh, you're fast." - The young albino said. - "Maybe I shouldn't hold back so much."
"I appreciate it." - She dried his throat. - "Tell me, why is that?"
"Let's see... Since Housen was defeated, Tsukuyo has taken over Hyakka of her own free will. Many of us didn't accept the position given to her, so we were exiled from Yoshiwara by our war sisters. After many years, I returned here again and begged to be accepted in Yoshiwara, dedicating myself to every second to get the position of leader that I had longed for."
"I remember you... You were one of the small group of rebels that was forming..."
"Exactly. The east patrol was my only way of reaching the upper echelons of Yoshiwara, but YOU not only stood in my way, you overshadowed my abilities! And guess what? Tsukuyo only had eyes for you!"
"And why didn't you challenge it?"
"Alas, alas, young Fumiko, how foolish you are... Don't you think I tried? Unfortunately, she was so busy with her new boyfriend that she ended up ignoring several of my requests."
"And that's why you intend to attack her?"
"No..." - She scoffed. - "Even killing her wouldn't be enough for me, but maybe making her suffer would be better, don't you think? Seeing your entire legacy destroyed by a former coworker..."
"The way you talk... It's not possible that you're working alone." - She stated precisely. - "Who else is involved?"
"Damian." - She crossed his arms. - "Although the plans are different, the objective is the same."
"I couldn't imagine that you would stoop to this level, Gai."
"I didn't lower myself, I just chose to make a deal."
"What would that be?"
"A free pass to kill anyone who stands in my way or hinders the invasion of Yoshiwara. In return, I'll be promoted to the top and have part of the district to myself - incredible, isn't it?"
"What are you saying?" - She growled. - "What about your fellow human beings? You'll bring back the bloody dictatorship."
"I don't mind."
"Damn you."
Fumiko launched three kunai at Gai, targeting his vital points. She dodged by jumping onto rooftops, mocking his attack.
"What's wrong, Fumiko? You look tense." - She smiled mischievously. - "Why don't you try running over to Tsukuyo and telling her what's going on?"
"It would be cowardly of me to run away from you."
"Oh, so you think you can outrun my blade?"
"I'll find out."
The rhythm of the place changed when they both drew their weapons. Although she was skilled, Fumiko found it difficult to face her opponent, and she knew she wasn't going to win easily. She reached a point where Gai's blade grazed her arm, signaling that she was reaching her limit.
In parts Gai was right, the best choice for Fumiko at that moment was to retreat and look for help, but where? She couldn't turn to Hyakka because she didn't know who was an ally or who was an enemy, she couldn't turn to Tsukuyo because she didn't know where she was and perhaps the best choice was to go in search of Yorozuya to help her.
She didn't run away immediately, but just started attacking her with quick blows in order to get her to back off a little. As soon as Gai retreated a little, Fumiko took advantage of the gap to throw a small smoke bomb and run as far as possible across the rooftops of Yoshiwara.
What he hadn't counted on was that one of his Kunais would be thrown in his direction, hitting his right leg, causing him to lose some of his mobility.
"That won't work on me." - The black-haired girl let out a laugh, clearly mocking her, as she pulled at her hair.
Before any final blows could be struck, a huge explosion occurred in the center of the city, leaving them both surprised by the attack. A fire quickly broke out, along with shouts from the citizens present, causing Gai to change his face to a malicious grin.
"Eh, so you really don't waste any time, do you Damian?" - His eyes lit up as he saw the fire. - "You see, Fumiko? Your last memory will be of the city you swore to protect being burned to the ground, just as you will burn in the fires of hell."
Fumiko didn't fight back or react; her body was shocked by the situation and the only thing that reacted was the tears on her face as she realized her failure. Her heart was beating frantically, causing inexplicable agony, tension and despair, and many thoughts were running through her head until everything went dark.
Gai plunged the blade into his chest and tossed it aside as if it were nothing. His eyes slowly closed and the tears stopped flowing down his face, which was now pale. She used what little strength he had left to mutter his last words as he watched Gai turn away and walk the other way.
"Forgive me, Tsukuyo..."
And so, it ended.
FINAL NOTE:
Hello again! Thank you so much for still following the story, you don't know how happy I am to know that there are people supporting my work on the platforms. I admit that it's taking me longer than usual to post, but it turns out that I'm suffering from the laziness syndrome haha. I already have the basic idea for the next chapters written down in the corner, but I'm not managing to write it in a way that I like. That's all for today! Thanks again for stopping by and I'll see you in the next chapter!