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

Chapter 24 {Y/N}

     That hurt.

I shake my head a few times before impressing on how I don't ended up to find myself scatter all over the ground. And thanks to this gigantic tree beside me, it helped to lessen my weight from the fall.

Since I think dawn still stretches far with the sky being pitch-black, I can barely see my surrounding. All I'm certain of it that there are no shelters or houses anywhere around, and with the over growing of greens, this place looks deserted.

I attempt to stand up despite the heavy gravity that pulls me to the dirt ground. The world seems unbalance at first but the tree beside me acts as strong support. By staying at this level, I can see beyond the rows of trees to the place inside.

Suppose I fell into the right place. Nobody would expect a graveyard to be lively at night. Certainly nobody would even come to check to see if it's lively.

I try to look for a way back to the Main Street, since I'm not entirely familiar with this place, but that might not be the best choice. Although I managed to get rid of the weapon Komu gave me, there's no guarantee that he wouldn't send someone to look for me. So I decide to take alleys instead. The ones that might somehow be parallel to the main streets.

My journey is long from over. I'll have to get help to find a way back to the so-far-away Yamanashi.

Which is why I'm currently running to get back in time and warn Senya. If I fail to stop Komu, then I'll beg the village coward if I have to, to make him search for a way to prevent Komu from doing anything insane. The thought of the villagers along with Senya being slaughtered by that unearthly beast embeds needles to the my head.

Running along the side street of the enormous graveyard, I soon realize the constant sting in my chest is from the wound I receive from Matako. I cover the bloodied part, feeling the skin slowly stitching together. I'd snatch my hand away from the sickening sensation, but the frequentation of receiving wound lessens the the repulsion.

I turn into an alley, hoping that at the end of it might have someone who could help me maybe find a port. Just by doing so, I'm instantly reminded of how I saw him.

So much time has passed, yet still I want to lose my senses into that cold, distant gaze. But the sadness that stays hidden behind twists my already aching heart.

I never thought we would meet again this way. Maybe when this is all over, maybe I'll allow myself to fantasize about him. Maybe I should save the bittersweet cake for later.

My attention jolts back when I bump into something hard, causing me to stagger back. Four hostile eyes peer down at me after I regain balance.

     "What's this?" says the man before me.

     "Seems like a rat is scurrying for shelter," another says behind.

If I'm a rat then what makes you? Instead, I politely apologize. "I'm sorry. I was in a hurry and didn't see you."

The guy behind suddenly steps up. "Huh? What ya mean ya didn't see us?"

     "Are you tryin' to mock us?"

I watch them, both twice my size, with a leveled gaze. "No, I'm not."

     "Hmm..." The one I bumped into muses. Despite the darkness, I can feel his sickening gaze sweeping over my body and I clench my chest. "What are you doing out here alone in this hour?"

     "That's entirely my own business."

     "Hey, hey, is this how talk with the person you bumped into?" the left one speaks.

     "I said I'm sorry. And may you kindly step aside for me to quickly pass?" I fail go hide the annoyance.

They give each other a glance before saying, "What ya say we take ya t' wherever ya tryin' t' go? And in turn, ya'll give us a nice pay."

     "Then would you mind telling me where the closest port is? I was abandoned here for some unknown reasons, and I want to get back to my homeland." I might as well use anyway possible to find out more.

     "The closest port? Oh yes we know. We can take you there," the right guy says. "So are we in deal?"

I catch his look of uncertainty at his companion. "I appreciate your kindness, but as I said, I was abandoned here with nothing but my clothing."

     "Huh? So you're saying you don't have money?" An edge of disappointment audible in his tone. Then quickly after, my hands itch to fly to his nose at the look he's giving me. "If you don't have money, then maybe you can pay us with something else." 

They walk closer, but I remain in my spot.

     "So what ya say? Want us t' keep ya company tonight?"

     "We'll make you forget that you're being abandoned if you let us-"

My fist finds his nose before the right guy finishes. He lets out a cry of pain and stagger away, hands holding up to his nose.

     "Why ya little!" The other one comes at me, and I send a kick at his crotch before he can strangle me. A satisfying pained grunt escapes from him just in time for the broken-nose guy to launch at me.

Using the knowledge to strike where it hurts most, it takes me a few minutes to before the two slump down the wall.

     "You're a monster! No wonder you smell like blood!" They shout before scurrying away like rats with tail between their legs. I look down at my bloody clothes and breathe out the iron-like smell.

This is the first time someone actually called me that. Of course, I take no offense. You wouldn't consider someone who received two bullets to the heart, fell from a ship and is still alive to be normal.

The night feels awfully long. Just when I'm about to carry on my steps, something flies across my face and covers it. Air immediately cuts from my lungs.

I struggle to free from whoever is behind me, pressing me harder to his body. The pounding of my heart slows as it becomes suffocating and my version blurs. 

     "I'm sorry."

Before I can figure out who does the familiar voice belongs to, the world around slips to complete darkness.