Afternoon, folks.

I'm new to writing Gintama, but I hope you enjoy this piece. It is born from being idle too long today, but I think I like how it came out. I try to keep people in character as much as possible, but Gintama makes serious tones within this genre a bit more difficult to handle. Anyway, I don't own the series. You know this. I know this. We know this together.

Anyways, I want this to be the first part of a series of snapshots following the relationship between Tae and Gintoki, but it may possibly end up as a one shot. I'm more inclined to write if you review though, so... y'know... fuel this fire. Give me feedback so I can improve my writing too!


Kondo Isao was not an unappealing man. He was steadfast and loyal to his friends. He was the charismatic leader of the famed Shinsengumi, in which he acted as the heart that bound the many fiery souls of the unit together. And while he did have many "quirks," he was still a reliable person who could be trusted to always do the right thing. With his new scar, it can even be said that he was handsome.

And yet, Tae thought as she looked down from the sliding door of her home at the man formally bowed before her, she could not deny what was in her heart. She could not lie to this man, who with honesty and love, had come before her door this December day to spills his soul before her.

The situation tugged at her heart strings. Hot tears gathered behind her eyes but refused to fall.

"I'm sorry, Kondo-san."

The man looked up from his bow. The heartbreak behind his gaze was transparent. There were no gags or jokes to escape this moment. This was his greatest chance, and his most earnest effort.

Though she wanted to look away from his crushed expression, she would not dishonor him that way.

"I… err.. I understand, Otae-san," he said, rising to his feet. "I wanted to do things right this time, but I guess I'm just not the right guy, huh?" He forced a pained smile. Tae did her best to smile gently back.

"Someday, a woman will be very lucky to have you. I'm sorry, but it just won't be me."

He released a shaky exhale. A man this passionate had trouble holding back his emotions, but Tae thought he was doing a wonderful job.

"You know," she said softly, "you will always be welcome to come visit for tea, and to see how the dojo is doing."

Kondo's grin was genuine this time. "I'll definitely come back to take you up on that. And… I'll come in through the front door this time," he said, referencing his years of stalking.

"I'd like that."

A rush of wind blew by, jingling the chimes hanging nearby. The two stood in the silence of the moment, trying to ease the stress of the situation in their minds.

Kondo turned to leave, but before he stepped away, he paused.

"Otae-san. Is it… do you maybe like someone else?"

Tae looked to the side as someone immediately sprang to mind. She hoped to the gods that she didn't look as obvious as she felt, especially in this situation.

Kondo chuckled. "I thought so. I hope that he realizes it soon, and that he treats you well. If not, you can always call on me. I'll be down there in a heartbeat to arrest him and beat his ass."

Tae giggled. "I'm sure that if it ever came to that, I could handle him."

"Yeah… Yeah, I'm sure you could."

With that, the leader of the Shinsengumi walked away, with only the crunching sound of his geta on the sand of the dojo's front yard accompanying him.

The young Shimura sister sighed as she heard the sliding door leading to the hallway open behind her. "It's not polite to eavesdrop, Shin-chan."

"I'm sorry, aneue. I just wanted to make sure he behaved himself," the younger sibling said as he stepped into the room. His words lacked the usual fire when referring to Kondo. Shinpachi understood the gravity of the meeting.

Tae smiled at his protectiveness. "I don't think his stalking will be an issue anymore."

Shinpachi forced a smile, knowing that his older sister just went through something difficult. "I'm glad. I guess things will be a little different around here from now on. No more having to replace the walls after you throw his body through them. That'll definitely save us some money on renovations," he glanced around at all the patch jobs in the house.

"I did what was necessary."

He hummed in agreement. Shinpachi stood looking like he wanted to say more. If he had heard the whole conversation, Tae could guess what it was, but couldn't bring herself to mention it.

"Is it who I think it is?" Shinpachi asked.

Tae said nothing, opting for her trademark smile. "I think you know."

A dozen thoughts rushed into the younger brother's mind.

He's lazy!

He's cheap!

He's unreliable!

I don't want him as an older brother!

I don't want you to be with him!

I don't want him to take you away from our family!

His feet stink!

And yet, as all these familiar counters overtook his thoughts, he couldn't bring a voice to speak them.

Because deep down, Shinpachi didn't mind it. He didn't mind the man he's spent nearly every day with joining his family. He didn't mind that the person who effectively acted as a father figure to him would be in his life even more. He didn't mind that his sister had fallen in love with the person that he secretly respected more than almost anyone else.

The rising dissent died on his tongue. His fists clenched and unclenched as he searched for the right words to say.

Tae looked at her brother curiously. He hadn't exploded or began one of his usual long-winded rants.

"You know… I don't know what he thinks most of the time. That man is both completely predictable and unpredictable at the same time. If you were to tell him, I don't really know how he would react. I mean, it's not like you're Sa-chan or anything. I don't think he'd be mad, but…" he looked at his sister seriously "I know that he's a bit of a coward when it comes to this kind of stuff. Affection and love… I don't even know if he knows what these things really are. Regardless… I think you should tell him."

Tae wasn't prepared for this. She didn't know if Shinpachi's approval made her feel better or just all the more strange today. He knew what this meant, right? What this would do to the group dynamic?

And yet, a few minutes ago, she had brought a change in their group dynamic as she rejected Kondo.

If he could have the courage to formally ask out the woman who had constantly rejected him for years, what excuse did she have for hesitating now? Would she be content to leave things as they are forever, always looking on at him and wondering what could happen? She knew there were other women after him. Sa-chan and Tsukuyo immediately sprang to mind. Would she be okay if they got to him before her?

She shook her head, clearing her thoughts.

"You're right, Shin-chan. If Kondo-san can do it, so can I." She strode past him, grabbing her naginata on the way.

"W-wait! Now? You're going now? I didn't mean for you to go now! What's the weapon for?!" Shinpachi sputtered.

"In case he needs some 'persuasion'," she said with a smile. "And if not now, then when?"

"I meant like, in a few hundred years or so! Don't go aneue!" he screeched.

But she had already stepped out into the late-afternoon sun.

Even as Shinpachi protested, he could not take a single step after her. He sighed, wondering what tomorrow was going to be like in a confused mixture of hope and dread.


The setting sun made even a run-down business like Yorozuya Gin-chan's look like an art piece. The mix of reds, oranges, and purples made her envious of the sunset they must get to see from their balcony every day. Would she one day be standing there watching the sun with them every evening? The two story building never felt as intimidating as it did in that moment.

The sliding door to the business opened up, and a loud vermillion-haired girl bounded outside, umbrella in hand. A deep, familiar voice called out from behind her.

"Don't forget! It's this week's issue! Not last week's! Don't fail me again, Kagura!"

The girl blew a raspberry at him. "I'll get it if I remember, Gin-chan! Come on Sadaharu!"

A massive white dog leaped out over the railing and landed beside Tae. The girl soon followed.

"Anego!" She yelled in delight, immediately embracing her while taking no note of the naginata strapped to her back.

"Good evening Kagura-chan. Out for a walk?" Tae smiled affectionately.

"Something like that. Just running to the corner store for some groceries. Wanna come?"

The brunette shook her head. "Sorry Kagura-chan. I need to talk to your lazy boss. Is he available?"

The girl pouted childishly. "Yeah, he's in there being a shaggy loaf. Head on up! I'll see you in a bit!" She said while mounting the great white Sadaharu beside her. The dog barked in friendly greeting before storming off down the road.

Tae smiled after her "younger-sister," feeling the warmth of someone who was always genuinely glad to see her.

That warmth soon turned to apprehension as she began climbing the creaky wooden steps of the building. It was just him inside now.

Just her and Sakata Gintoki.


Kagura had characteristically left the door wide open. The familiar hallway of Yorozuya Gin-chan lay before her. The light in the main room was on, and she could hear a familiar yawn echoing off the wooden walls. She wondered what, if anything, she'd be interrupting before realizing that that was a particular thought she had never had. Interrupting Gin-san? What was there to interrupt?

She removed her geta, setting it to the side as she silently crept down the hallway. Internally, she wondered why she was being silent at all. Did she really think she could sneak up on one of the most powerful samurai in Edo? Still, she padded along the hallway in her socks, listening carefully for sounds of the idle man in the next room. Surely, he'd heard her by now. Her heart began to beat faster as her nerves began to get the better of her.

She turned to corner to see him leaning in his chair, facing away from the entrance with an issue of JUMP in his hand.

"Good evening Gin-sa-"

"Huh?! OUAGH!" The man yelped in surprise as he toppled over in his chair, dropping his book and knocking over several things on his desk.

"Gin-san!" Tae ran over to him, partially surprised that she snuck up on him, and partially surprised that he flailed like a shocked toddler on Halloween.

Gin peeked over his desk with a half-lidded glare. "Oi! What's your problem?! Who sneaks up on someone in their own home?!" His eyes widened in shock at the weapon on her back.

"Otae-san! What's wrong? Is there trouble?" His eyes darted to his wooden sword propped against the wall.

She giggled, unstrapping her own weapon and placing it beside it. "There's no trouble, Gin-san. Kagura-chan left the door open, and I just let myself in. I hope you don't mind." The sheer normalcy of his reaction set her racing heart more at ease.

"Huh… I've told her a thousand times to keep the door closed! What if mosquitos get in? They are always after my sweet blood." The white haired samurai said with a frown as he righted his chair and walked over to the couch.

Tae followed and sat down next to him, carefully gauging her space. The last thing she wanted was to freak him out or intimidate him. That would come later.

Gin took a relaxed position, watching her body language carefully.

Otae-san looks a bit nervous. Did something happen? He thought seriously.

The brunette had differing thoughts as she took in the man beside her. His dark red eyes were looking at her from head to toe, assessing her. There was no look of lecherousness in his gaze, but there was definitely concern. Still, he sat on the couch in a slack manner, completely at ease with his surroundings and her presence.

Tae once thought that his lax demeanor and aloof personality were just the signs of a lazy, out-of-work samurai. Having him here next to her reminded her of just how far that had come over the years, from his time rescuing her from loan sharks, to the days she spent nursing him to health after major fights. This wasn't the demeanor of some deadbeat who just happens to be good with a sword. This was the look of a man who was completely at ease with who he was. A man whose soul burned bright enough to effect those around him.

"Umm.. Not that I don't mind your visit this evening, Otae-san, but is there something you wanted? What's with the naginata anyway?" He asked, showing nervousness for the first time under her scrutiny.

Tae uncharacteristically "Eeped!" as she was caught staring at him. "U-Um, n-nothing much Gin-san. I don't have a request or anything today." She blushed and looked away, purposefully avoiding mention of her weapon.

As much as Gin strived to avoid the thought, he had always thought that Tae Shimura was very cute. Seeing her earnestly frazzled like this was somewhat new to him, and his reaction made it hard to keep redness off of his own cheeks.

"A-ah... I uh… I see… I didn't think you were really the type to stop in unexpectedly. Shinpachi got home okay, right?" He scratched his own head nervously. Something was different about Tae today, and he wasn't quite sure what it was.

"Hm? Oh, yes. Shin-chan got home today just fine."

"Ah. That's good. Right? That's good." Gin scrambled for words.

Her hesitancy was becoming more apparent, and he wasn't sure how to deal with it.. There was something big on her mind.

What's with this atmosphere?! Why is she so subdued? She's normally straight to the point! She hasn't even beat me or anything yet! Did something happen? Should I be worried? Kagura! Come home soon and rescue me!

Gin cleared his throat and reached across the table, grabbing two cups and a bottle of sake. "C-care for a drink?"

The girl smiled and nodded. "I'd love one, thank you."

But despite her outward calm, she was starting to panic as well.

Tae! What are you doing?! You came here to tell him something right? He's getting uncomfortable! Maybe I should hit him? No! Wait! He doesn't like that! That's the opposite of what I should do! Gin-san! Pour the sake and help me gain some confidence!

She held out her cup with shaky hand as an equally shaky Gin poured her drink.

They both quickly downed their drinks and sighed. Gin wordlessly filled their glasses again as they gradually relaxed into their drinks.

This… isn't too bad.

They both thought simultaneously.

Tae set her cup down and turned her body to face Gin. Her eyes were closed and her hands were clenched, he noted. The subtle nervousness began to creep back into him.

"Kondo-san stopped by today," She said, looking at him.

Gin raised a brow as he took a sip. "Sounds normal, right? That gorilla stalker is there every chance he gets. Where was he this time? Under the house? Wearing your track suit again?"

She shook her head.

"He came in through the door this time. He wanted to talk to me directly."

"Oh?" For a reason he couldn't quite place, this knowledge made him uneasy.

"H-he confessed his love for me, and asked me to be his girlfriend."

Gin broke eye contact with his companion and looked down at his drink. Conflicting emotions swirled within him, none of which he was familiar with. He took another drink and forced them down.

"W-well that's good right? That's new. I'm glad he's being direct now. His stalking was a real pain, wasn't it? Wow, I bet Shinpachi is relieved."

He avoided asking about her response. He wasn't sure he wanted to know.

Tae hummed in agreement. "I'm glad he did it too. It's about time he put an end to that chapter of stalking." She purposefully didn't mention her response. She wanted to see how the silver haired samurai would react.

Gin still didn't look back at her. He swirled a fresh drink in his left hand while his right automatically poured Tae a new cup. Maybe if he drank a little more, he would know what to say next.

"His visit made certain things clear to me, Gin-san. I-it made me understand a little more about who I am, and what my heart wants."

Something tugged at him inside his chest, but he ignored it. This conversation was making him uncomfortable, and Gin was becoming more certain he did not want to hear what happened next.

Despite this, he looked into her deep chocolate eyes, and silently urged her to continue.

"I turned him down."

"E-Eh?"

They looked at each other, one with confusion and the other with newfound determination.

"Gin-san." His name on her lips shook him.

She set her cup down and reached to take his own from him. His hands, completely relaxed as she did so, felt electricity as their fingers brushed. His face heated up and he prayed that she didn't notice.

She covered his hand with her smaller ones and looked straight into his eyes.

With a large inhale, she sighed. Gin could smell the sake they shared on her breath, and found himself feeling more flustered than ever before.

"Gin-san, I think- No… I know that I like you."

In that moment, he could hear his heart beating in his ears. He opened his mouth to reply, but was completely overwhelmed by this petite girl in front him. How could he possibly say everything that was on his mind at that moment?

No one has ever approached the Shiroyasha like this. These weren't the sweet nothings of a back alley prostitute or the childish declarations of love from a stranger. This was Shimura Tae. The woman who has been beside him, supporting him and the Yorozuya from the sidelines for years. The fiery cabaret girl who could break steal with her fists, and who would do anything to protect her loved ones. The beautiful sister of his pseudo-kid-brother who would make him (an admittedly inedible) breakfast in one minute and then punch him through the floor the next.

What would happen if he turned her down?

…what would happen if he didn't?

Tears began to form in the corner of Tae's eyes. Her lip began to quiver at his silence.

As Gin saw this, he knew his answer.

Slowly, he turned his hand upwards to take her smaller ones in his palm. He covered both with his other hand and breathed in deeply, inhaling her scent, the sake, and the moment.

"Otae-san… Otae…"

Sakata Gintoki leaned in and kissed her cheek gently, removing the sole tear that managed to escape her eye.

He wasn't a brave enough man to kiss her on the lips yet. He had no knowledge of what it meant to kiss someone on the lips with genuine love or affection, having never had that in his life. This was the only thing he could think to do.

He pulled away, seeing her cheeks flared and her eyes reddened with unshed tears.

"Otae. I don't… I don't really know how to do this. How to really be in a relationship, or how to show someone what I feel. For all the words and speeches I've given about life, I feel like this is something I'm completely new to."

He guided one of her hands to his chest, pressing it against his pounding heart.

"What I do know is you make me feel something different. Something special."

Tae gasped.

"…t-then?"

"I-If you'll have me. This good for nothing, lazy samurai… Then I-" Gin stumbled over his words.

She reached up and cupped his cheek.

In that moment, Gintoki saw her smile more happily than he ever had. It was like seeing the sun. None of her fake smiles could ever compare.

He couldn't help but smile back.


BONUSU EPILOGURU!

It took over an hour thanks to Sadaharu getting distracted by a female dog on the way to the market, but Kagura saw the familiar shape of her home illuminated by the streetlight. The lights of the small shop were all off already, even though it was only 9:00 PM.

"Mou, Sadaharu. You cost us too much time. It looks like Gin-chan is already asleep. Now he's gonna wake up complaining that we didn't bring him JUMP on time. We might not get breakfast!"

The dog simply gave an unapologetic bark.

"Well, I guess you don't care, but tomorrow was bacon day, and that only comes once every 3 months."

She trudged up the steps, uncaring that the loose bags were banging loudly against them with every motion.

"Gin-chan! I'm home!" She shouted, flinging the door open. "Gin-chan?"

Kagura didn't care if she woke him up at this point. "9 is too early to sleep Gin-chan! Let's watch Boruto and make fun of the new characters!"

The girl ran down the hall, ready to pounce on the Yorozuya leader.

"Gin-ch-"

Sadaharu stood in the doorway looking at his favorite master curiously. With a straight face, Kagura dropped the bags, turned, and walked back toward the exit.

"Come on boy. I think we're at the wrong house."

Sadaharu tilted his head curiously as she brushed past him and walked down the stairs. He padded up to the main room and peered inside.

There on the couch was a fully-clothed Shimura Tae sprawled out on an equally-clothed Sakata Gintoki. Both completely passed out and surrounded by empty sake bottles.

Sadaharu's face turned as stony as Kagura's as he calmly followed her out the door, determined to find the portal back to their own dimension.


Remember at the very beginning when I said to review? REVIEW!