Chapter Text
Their life have mostly gone back to normal. Yorozuya is open for business, waiting for customers to line the door. Edo is good, calm, and peaceful. As it used to be.
Kagura shoves the last bit of sukonbu in her mouth, relishing the taste. It truly has been so long since she last got to enjoy this. Them. Her home. Being with Gintoki and Shinpachi again, like old times. Though Shinpachi rarely visits anymore. She tries to move in the cramped space of the closet, but it no longer fits her like it used to. It has become far too cramped for her, but it's familiar. It's comfortable. It's hers.
"Kagura?" She ignores the call, busy finding a good nap position.
"Kagura!"
"What?" She responds, sliding the door open, revealing a familiar sight. The ugly, blue, twin couches and Gintoki's empty desk. And most importantly, Gintoki's messy face staring her down.
"What have you done?"
Kagura frowns back, waving him away. His accusations are not welcome this early morning. "Nothing anyone can prove."
Gintoki scoffs. "Prove? You threw a car into a building!"
Ah. Yes, she supposes she remembers doing that. "That is barely my fault."
"I don't care whose fault it was, the shinsengumi are here!"
Yelling first thing in the morning is not good for her beauty sleep. "Yeah, well, if Kamui hadn't moved outta the way, the car would've never hit the building, yes?"
Gintoki's jaw twitches. A part of him probably wants to scream into a void and throw her out on the street. Any fine she gets from this will be his problem. Kagura doesn't even have a legal citizenship.
He brings a hand through his hair, shaking his head. "Damn kid, always causing problems."
He throws her out of the bed and shoves her to the door, demanding she solve this. Having cops knocking on the door first time in the morning is also not very good for her beauty sleep. He leaves her alone to answer their call. Rude.
Kagura slides the front door open, revealing two familiar faces. A cop with black spiky hair, and his companion with that sandy hair and familiar eyes. How long has it been now? She struggles to remember.
Her cheeks heat, seeing him again. Okita Sougo, wearing his new Shinsengumi uniform and slicked back hair. His red eyes travel over her, taking note of her pink, oversized pajamas and messy hair. Unbrushed and tousled, falling down her back. She looks like an absolute mess, while he looks put together and more handsome than she remembers.
She can't believe her own thoughts. He, handsome? Kagura has been single for too long. And suddenly she remembers. She hasn't seen him since Utsuro died. Two years. It's been two years since she last saw him.
Kagura takes a deep breath and slides the door shut again.
"We know you're in there, China girl." His voice is as drowsy as she remembers. There is a teasing tone in his words, daring her to tease back. Kagura would rather die than open the door again.
"You caused a lot of property damage." She recognizes Hijikata's voice immediately. He doesn't sound angry, but he is clearly frustrated. Probably had an argument with Okita on his way here.
"Nothing I haven't done before." She yells over the door.
That sets Hijikata off, always quick to anger. "Still vandalism, you brat!"
Kagura rolls her eyes. "Whatever, I'm going back to bed, yes?"
The door immediately slides back open, Hijikata forcing his way inside. "We have direct orders to bring you back to the station. Don't make us use force." His voice carries authority. "This is serious. The building you hit was private property."
"Most buildings are private property," Okita adds.
Hijikata ignores him. "You need to come with us."
She looks back into the room for Gintoki, but he has gone back to bed, leaving her alone. Whatever, she doesn't need that useless idiot anyway. "Fine, I'm coming."
She steps out to the terrace, feeling Okita's hot breath on her neck as he leans down to whisper in her ear. "We're gonna have a lot of fun, you and I." His words are honeyed, sweet. It makes her hair stand on end.
This cannot be good.
The shinsengumi building looks just like she remembers, with a big, blooming garden and rows and rows of halls and sleeping quarters. She has always found the Shinsengumi building to be pretty. Not that she would ever admit it.
They lead her to the far depths of the building, into a room with a singular desk and two chairs. The room has no decorations, so it must not be used very often. Inside is a man she recognizes, whose name she cannot remember.
"Sit down, Kagura." His voice has a deep growl in it, one that most older men have. "We have something important to discuss. Okita and Hijikata leave her to be alone with him, closing the door behind her. The man's hair is grey, and he wears a nice pair of sunglasses.
She sits down, waiting for him to speak.
"The building you damaged belongs to a corporation, and not just any corporation." The man takes a deep inhale of his cigarette.
When she realizes he's not going to elaborate, Kagura speaks. "What corporation?"
"Not important."
Seriously? Kagura does her best not to throw the other chair at him. Calm yourself, Kagura. Do not attack a senior citizen. "Alright, then, what is important?" Her voice carries a bit more attitude than she intended.
The man smiles. "They want you to pay for the damages."
Well, that's about what she expected. Kagura nods. "Gintoki's number is-"
He puts his hand up, shaking his head. "No, no, little Kagura. They demand you pay for the damages." He takes another dramatically long draw of his cigarette. "However, I am aware of who your family is and of your financial status. I am also aware that this could cause us a political catastrophe."
Another draw of his cigarette. The smoke is starting to fill up the cramped room, forcing its way down her throat. It takes a lot out of her to remain indifferent. The smoke itches every part of her throat.
"I have a proposal to ensure everyone ends up happy. The shinsengumi will pay for all damages in your name, but you will have to work off your debt to us."
Kagura frowns. "And why would I do that?"
"Either you do that, or we will have no choice but to arrest you. If you cannot pay, you will be taken to court."
Kagura takes a moment to ponder. She could easily break out of prison, but that would make her a wanted criminal on Earth. She will be unable to live with Gintoki again, and she'd always be on the run. On the other hand, she would get to beat up cops every day.
If she accepts their proposal, she'll get to beat up criminals every day. That's also not too bad. Most importantly, she would get to keep living with Gintoki.
Whatever. "Fine, I'll work for you."
He smiles and reaches over the desk to shake her hand. "Glad to hear."
"What exactly will I be doing, working for the shinsengumi?"
He puts out his cigarette on an ashtray. "That's for Okita Sougo to decide. He's your captain from now on."
Well, shit.