In which an act has a chance of becoming real.

"Calm down, Tsukki." Gin laughed nervously. "It's one time. You just have to pretend to be my date for one night."

Tsukuyo met the samurai's eyes and softened her glare a little.

"Don't worry. I have no anxieties about tonight; I threw away my right to being a woman years ago, so one date doesn't worry me."

Gin nodded and sweated silently. He knew the woman was likely to throw a kunai at him if he continued to "reassure" her- after all, he was really just comforting himself. Tsukuyo was beautiful but she, like most of the women on his life, had a violent tendency when he annoyed her.

The situation was like this: Gin had been invited to a party in Yoshiwara as thanks for being their savior. However, the catch was he needed a date. Hinowa had politely informed him that Tsukuyo wanted to be there as a protection to the women there but couldn't go without a date, also hinting that the guarded woman would be more then happy to join him.

So, faced with the prospect of a party in his honor with good food- free food- booze, and pretty women, he ignored his mental "Oh-my-God-she'll-kill-you" vibe and asked Tsukuyo to the dance formally (which, for him, meant awkwardly making excuses on why they should go and being stabbed at least once).

So there they were. Gin was dressed in his typical black-clothes-and-kimono (as well as an out of place flower crown courtesy of Kagura and a good luck charm- well, a figurine of Otsuu-chan- from Shinpachi).

Tsukuyo was wearing a slightly fancier version of her normal kimono and had small cresent moon earrings in.

Gin and Tsukuyo had met up at Hinowa's shop and walked a little ways to get to the party. They now stood outside waiting for the other to signal they were ready to go in.

Eventually Hinowa saw them and forcefully suggested they actually go into the building.

*****

Tsukuyo wore a facade of calm, but inside, she was nervous. She cursed Hinowa for having Gintoki ask her- the woman kept implying Tsukuyo wanted to do XXX with Gintoki (which was definitely not true!!) and it was messing with Tsukuyo's mind.

They walked into the party arm and arm. She could feel Gintoki shaking. He's probably nervous because Kagura and Shinpachi didn't want to go.

(This wasn't exactly true-- both would have went but Hinowa had pulled them to the side in secret and nicely commented it would be good to let Gin go without them. Nicely.)

Now came the real challange.

Dancing.

"So, uh, Tsukki, would you like to, you know, dance?" Gin stumbled over his words. Tsukuyo only nodded in consent and lead him to the dancing area- and lead him in the dance, too, because while he could dance he could not lead.

Calm down. You're being irrational. Nothing will happen between you, and besides, you don't even think of him like that! Tsukuyo admonished her racing heart.

It's not her fault. Gin had saved her from some pretty horrible stuff, so of course she admired and respected him. And he made her feel... special. He made her feel like she maybe wanted to be a woman again- no, that's not right... he made her feel like she never seemed to stopped being a woman.

And Gin was so amazing, doing so much to protect the ones he loved. It felt... really nice to know he includes her in that group of people he'd do anything to save.

And he was really attractive. Sure, his eyes looked like dead fish eyes most of the time, but when he was fighting, they came alive. The burned bright red, and seeing them gave her shivers.

Mentally Tsukuyo facepalmed; on the outside, she turned red.

"Are you feeling okay, Tsukuyo?" Gin asked, concerned. Simply hearing her name from his lips made her shiver again.

It was time to accept it. Hinowa was right- Tsukuyo had a ridiculous schoolgirl crush on the Savior of Yoshiwara.

*****

"You're sure you're okay?" Gin asked again.

After her realization, Tsukuyo has promptly whispered "Let's leave" to Gin, who (after grabbing a whole bunch of food and about 6 bottles of whiskey) followed her outside.

By this time it was almost midnight. They sat in silence on benches in a quiet part of town.

"I'm fine, the- the air was just a little... stuffy, is all. Sorry I interupted the party for you." Tsukuyo murmured.

"Nah, I was a bit intimidated anyway. If you're sure you're alright, though..." Gin shook his head.

Tsukuyo- embarrassed and frustrated by her own feelings- snapped back.

"I said I'm fine, Gintoki!" She said, annoyed.

His brows lowered. "Hey, I was just trying to be considerate! No need to flip."

"Fine, you want to know why I'm tense? It's your fault! You're an obvious asshole! Sure I didn't even notice my own feelings for you until tonight, but you're the main character! I wish you'd notice things, is all!" Tsukuyo ranted.

A moment of silence.

Another.

Tsukuyo turned bright red.

Gin matched her color and stuttered.

Tsukuyo threw a kunai at his forehead and crossed her arms.

"There. I s-said it. What, are you shocked that someone is actually in l-l... likes you?" Tsukuyo cursed her own awkwardness. She'd messed up and almost said she loved him.

Gin's mouth opened, then closed. Then a smirk spread across his face.

"You were about to say love weren't you, Tsukki?" He jeered. When she raised her arm to throw another knife he gestured surrender and apologized.

Silence again, agonizing silence.

"Does this mean we can finally go back to the party as a real couple?" Gin asked nonchalantly. Tsukuyo gaped at him.

"What? A beautiful woman whom I admire just confessed to me. You think I'm gonna reject you?" Gin joked. Then his expression turned serious. "I meant what I said back then. You're perfect the way you are, Tsukuyo. Now, let's go back to that party, Tsukki." He held out his arm.

Tsukuyo blushed profusely and took the proffered hand. "If you mention this to anyone I will make your life hell." She muttered.

Gin actually had the nerve to laugh. "That's what makes it interesting. Hey, now we actually are a couple of married thugs! I wonder how long until Dia and Block arrive-"

He was interupted by a kunai in his shoulder. "...Yeah I deserved that."

Tsukuyo snorted. "Damn right you did. Idiot saviour."

The two walked happily back to the party.

*****

Hinowa looked appreciatively at the video she had captured of the event. Perfect to blackmail either one with, she nodded decisively.

***The End***

Sorry it took me so long to update! I love this ship u-u

Deuces~