Dwa Światy- Two Worlds (Gintama)

Chapter IV (Okita) - You know what I meant

Days passed and nothing became any more clear than before. Kagura felt as if she was living in a dream. Everything came to her in slow motion, she didn't hear the words said towards her, she reacted in delay, a lot of things became blurry. She wasn't useful and she couldn't function normally so they gave her an apartment and delivered food regularly. Sometimes someone she knew came around to check if everything was alright.

Kagura spent all days on watching television, sleeping or going for a walk at night. She barely ate which should be a sign for some people that there is something wrong with her but nobody had time for that. Everyone was too busy rebuilding the city to paid her enough attention, although in reality, it didn't matter. Kagura knew that if she didn't help herself, nobody would do it, even if they wanted and tried.

Sougo knocked at the simple wood door with number twenty-six on it. It led to one of the small apartments which were in the big building. The building was old but solid so it was probably the reason why it hadn't crushed during the fight with Utsuro and his people.

"China girl, it's me!" he yelled, still knocking. No one answered. He sighed, slightly annoyed and pulled the door handle. The door was open so without hesitation, he pushed it.

The apartment was smaller than he thought it was. Kagura has been living there for three months but it was his first time visiting her. In a manner of speaking, Hijikata had made him to do it because he had decided that if Sougo didn't want to be helpful during the rebuilding Edo, he could make his existence useful and take care of Kagura. Hijikata had used some stronger words which had offended even Kondou. Isao had revolted against this openly uncultured vocabulary, even for Toshirou, but he had backed Hijikata up, although he was still disgusted. Sougo had procrastinated and had waited two months. After all of this time of boredom and doing nothing, he had decided to come.

The apartment was dark. No sun beams were welcomed inside, the window was drawn by curtains and every lamp was turned off. The only source of light was the TV playing the One Piece episode. There was a sofa in front of the device. Kagura was lying under blanket on the couch. Sougo went into the kitchet to put away things he had bought earlier. They were supposed to be something like a gift or maybe a compensation for his lack of interest in her condition.

The fridge was full. It could make him aware of how bad it was but unfortunately, that didn't happen. Okita shrugged and took the first bottle of juice he saw to quench his thirst. Then he came over to the sofa and looked at Kagura. Her eyes were closed and she laid with her back towards the TV.

"Get up, move your lazy ass up" he said, taking a sip of a juice. He didn't get any answer though. He pulled some armchair and sat on it, getting silent for a moment to look around the apartment.

It wasn't extravagant but very basic. He guessed that there was no bedroom because clothes were lying in the corner, unfolded. There was no typical or Japanese table. The small coffee table was next to the couch, swamped with ditry cups and plates.

"I know you're not sleeping" he said. The silence was accompaniment by Luffy's monologues about friendship. Okita was annoyed and after few minutes he grabbed the remote control and turned the TV off. "It's shit. Manga is way better" he mumbled under his breath.

Kagura was listening to his words with some kind of pleasure. It's been a long time since someone had been here, the last visit was a week ago. Shinchpachi had come saying comforting words and she didn't know what to do with them. She had just got angry. Kagura didn't want advice, she needed to find a way to escape from her overwhelming thoughts. She had to took her mind off of it, forget. Watching anime hadn't helped her, although she had thought it would.

"It's slightly depressing in here. And you're watching pathetic things. It's a shame talking to you."

She was silent. She felt that if she said something she'd destroy everything, he'd leave and she would be alone again. Being passive was the thing she was best at recently and she felt good. Indifference. Lack of reaction. She didn't want to leave her safe zone.