Gintama; Takasugi X Reader (part 2) [Save Me]

Chapter 19 {Y/N}

     We land in the property of an abandoned shrine. The place is huge with the building of the shrine itself and some dead trees I see from the window.

     "We're here," Komu says as he comes to stand beside me.

I give him a side nod. With the realization that I reached my destination twists my core like a punch. I take out a piece of cloth from my sleeve. The fabric smooth and dark identical to my attire...which is The Crows 'leader' uniform. I fight an urge to reprimand about it and shakily lift the fabric to my face, then tie it behind my head.

The smell of the cloth immediately reminds me of the dead coldness back in Utsuro's headquarter. His words to have me come to Kyoto and find Shinsuke create a chill down my spine. He told me tonight's festival is being purposely held all under the motive to wipe out all the opposing rebels. And that the Kiheitai leader would never let a chance like this to go by.

Descending down the ship's bridge, a current of cold breeze sweeps through the blackened sky. The hair on my arms stands up despite my thick outfit.

We leave the ship behind with a dozen men following behind me. Their shakujou staffs clinking in the air, while Komu and I go with swords in our hands. Twice of the amount of men are instructed to guard the vessel. They will be the ones who'll alert us if they spot the enemy on air.

Walking in the cold night proves to be uncomfortable enough. Especially with the sensation of being watched by my own men, including my impassive vice-leader. His gaze burns holes at my back.

Although Utsuro plans for me to lead his members, which they know no sign of any restrained disapproval or disdain towards me, it occurs to me that this position that Komu so much craves for is a mere distraction. By being the leader, I'm always followed, always watched. He wants to make sure that I don't run away.

How very considerable of him.

We approach an alley and I halt my steps not sure if to take it or continue down the one we're currently at. I hear the others' steps also fade to a stop. Before I can turn around, Komu is beside me. He looks straight into the alley, his pale eyes almost glowing. Then I realize it is just the reflection of what he's seeing. I squint into the alley and lights are visible at the end of it. The sound of conversation faint in the distance.

Without casting a side glance, Komu strides into the narrow way. I quicken my pace to match his predator-like strides.

It's so dark I can barely make out the ground I'm stepping on. I crane my neck to see the others. The first two march up behind me though their eyes never acknowledging my existence. They stay fixed on their vice-captain ahead. The alley is so long that being in between these men feels like I'm in a moving cage.

Not long after, Komu's back averts from my sight and is replaced by hundreds of blinding lights. When my gaze adjusts, the lights belong to stalls and shops of various goods and services. The street crowded with people gathering around a palanquin that's like a potable shrine.

I guess the festival is about to begin. And this is the Main Street where it'll be held. Music pours from all direction but all with the same melody and rhythm.

We earn some curious glances from the people as we proceed along. Some even eye us warily. I try to remind myself that they can't see who I really am because of the cloth-veil on my face.

When I look further, I spot a store that's a contradict to all others around it. While others are buzzing with customers, that store seems like a broken bulb among a line of lights. Although it's open, but it is as if the owner is ignorant to all of the occurring celebration.

I'm now a dozen feet away from that store. When I'm about to read the sign of what it's selling, something catches my attention.

My eyes travel to whoever is coming out from the store. With just the slightest peek at that person, my blood turns cold as the air. I abruptly stop walking and stare at the figure as he turns and walks away. The sound of the conversation around me goes silent. The only thing I'm able to hear is the sharp thud of my sword hitting the ground before the throbbing my pulse overwhelms.

The person disappears within the thick crowd ahead with a swish of his kimono.

His purple kimono.

I force myself to stay in place and clench my hands. The pain of my nails digging into my palms a constant reminder that I must keep my composure. I must not panic.

Besides the screaming thoughts in my head, I still manage to hear when Komu steps up.

     "Something wrong?" He eyes me with disinterest.

     "N-" My voice catches. I pretend to bend down and pick up the sword while shakily clear my throat. "No." I manage to sound less wavering thanks to the commotion around us.

Komu barely flickers another glance at me before walking pass with his men proudly following. I stumblingly follow, heart hammering in my chest. I shield my eyes by adjusting the straw hat downward and notice I'm trembling. Trying to keep the thoughts in line, I hope things wouldn't turn out as Utsuro planned.

The longer I walk, the more I'm convinced that he's gone. Out of sight.

Or so I wish.

We walk pass another alley down the street. I spare no attention to it, keeping my gaze straight. I no longer know the purpose behind all of this. My mind crumbles and I can't get a clear thought.

That is, until Komu footsteps behind me suddenly stop. I turn around to see him squinting through the dark alley again. And it's seconds before his bored expression turns into one of malice.

His cold eyes now land on me. "I suppose you weren't wrong," he says.

I blink. "What?"

     "Something wasn't wrong." My heart somehow skips a beat at his next words. "It just couldn't get any more right."

Without breaking contact, I slowly walk back to where he is. Breath held, I mimic his gesture and peer though the alley.

Air rushes out of my lungs despite the otherwise overflowing breeze. I stumble away as the figure's form comes alight when he moves out of the alley. Beneath the straw hat reveals the familiar carve of a face I thought I had forget. The very same appearance I just now saw.

Shinsuke.

A strangle gasp escapes from my throat. The look Komu gives me churns my stomach like volcano. It's after his twisted smile that I understand what he's meaning.

What this is all now meaning.

I shake my head and back away. But before I can get further, Komu's hand finds my wrist and stops my movement.

     "Don't think you can get away with it," he says when I frantically attempt to shove him away. "Pathetic little girl."

     "Let go of me." But my voice is swept away.

     "You think you can help him get away?" His vicious looks deepens as he looks behind him. "You," he says to the nearest guy. "Follow him. The rest of us will head back to the ship. And once you spot where he's hiding, we'll be there to wipe them all out."

     "Yes,sir," the guy obeys and immediately leaves the group and vanishes down the alley.

I frantically scramble for any kind of a plan but Komu's haunting reminder echoes in the dark.

     "Be ready," he whispers close to my ear. "This is your chance to finally meet your beloved ideal."

I shudder at the danger emerging from his tone. Before I can protest, he grips my wrist and yanks me behind him as we make our way back to the ship.