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

Chapter 33 {Y/N}

     Along my way to discard of the bloodied yukata, I meet one of the crew who took the risk and stood up for me back in the cell.

A flood of relief clouds his dark eyes as he approaches closer to me. This is the first time that I actually take in his picture. Young and lean with about the same height as me. So young yet already got himself involve in this place...

     "You're alright," he says. A small smile stretches across his lips despite the wary glances we receive from the others who are passing by.

     "Thank you," I gently say. Then remember the flash of anger that burned in his eyes when he left the cell. "After the other day..." I look up and see the pleasant expression still on. "I can't thank you enough for how you stood up for me. But, I never want anyone to have any suspicion on you for trying to do so."

He shakes his head once. "No, don't bother. I said what I feel I must. Because," his eyes read my face and stay, "you don't seem dangerous to me."

A lump raises high in my throat as I try to keep the smile on my face. And I nod. "I'm glad you understand."

Then the question I held to myself since that day now surfaces. And I can't help but ask.

     "After you left, were you the one who informed the captain?"

No surprise expression lights up as he simply admits, "Yes, it was me."

     "Why would you do that?" I ask, surprised.

     "I thought he was the only one who could stop her."

I repress an unladylike snort and regard him with newly earned respect and gratitude. "Again, thank you for what you've done. Who knows what more I'd have to suffer at her hands if it hadn't been for you." Dimly lit rage and disgust arise from the thought of her.

     "No need, miss..."

     "Y/N. You may call me that."

     "I am Ayano Yokade. Pleased to know you."

A genuine smile eventually blooms on my face as it chases away all the tightness of grimness. "A pleasure." 

Yokade glances pass me down the corridor and slides his gaze back to me. "Well then, I'll proceed to my work. Please don't hesitate to call me if you need anything."

I offer him a nod and watch him stride down the corridor and disappears to the right. The lightness of his words help me repress the constant sting of the other crew's inspecting eyes as I head to my room.

Sliding the door into the room, I head for the bookshelf but realize it's unusually quiet. I lift my gaze up the wall to the small, round clock and see that it stopped moving. Its thin hands pointing nine past six.

I gently remove it from the hanger and run my fingers behind it to find where the batteries are kept. But then it falls from my grip, the outer layer glass shatters to the floor as I feel my heart suddenly pulls at a suffocating beat. Dizziness immediately knocks my head downward and the entire ship becomes unbalanced.

I drop to the floor clenching my chest feeling as if someone has strings around my heart and is constantly twisting it. My version darkens for a second longer before it turns back to its usual state. And just like that, I can normally breathe again.

I stay still for a moment, hand to my head as I try to figure out what was the sudden pain. My other hand touches the glass shards on the floor then I quickly straighten myself and clean up.

Lifting up the clock, I soon realize it is now beyond fixing. After carefully gathering all the shards, along with the broken clock, I put them into the small bin at the corner next to the door.