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

Chapter 17 {Y/N}

The way he moves a blur before I see his sword dropping down to my height. I hold up my weapon but his outrageous strength sends me to my knees. I scramble away before getting sliced in half.

From the corner of my eyes, I see him launching at me. But when I turn, only a brush of cold air rushes by before something pierces through my lower back. I sink to the floor, trying to catch my breath.

Utsuro stands behind me while Komu stays frozen in place. He hasn't move since his leader interrupted our spar.

     "Is this all you've learned from all the passed time?" A sheet of rage washes over my body at Utsuro demands. An unwelcomed feeling consumes my mind, and I don't suppress it anymore.

     "Let's see," I say and leap to him.

The Crow's leader effortlessly dodged my blows. And when I finally see his movement, my blade can't seem to reach him at all. Fighting with him only forces me to be on the defensive line.

I speed up and grasp the hilt harder. At the corner of my eye, I see Komu is moving to retreat his sword before Utsuro clashes with me. The smug look still on his face as he pushes me further. When I manage to dodge away, I realize that Komu is just a few feet from us, weapon regained.

Utsuro disappears when I get close enough to attack him. I stop abruptly as he reappears and he takes the chance to send my weapon across the opposite direction of Komu.

I have nothing else to defend. And bare hands won't work fruitfully with metal blades. I race to regain my weapon. But before I manage to reach out and grab it, I feel a murderous presence behind my back. I bolt out of the blade's way. Another second, a sword comes flying to my direction and I catch it, using to block a dead swing of the leader.

I barely have time to think that Komu helped me against his master. I block attacks a few more time before I'm beat to the ground. My pulses throb in my ears as Utsuro disarms me again.

I can't summon enough strength to stand. His sword raised above my head, I turn away and wait for it to split me in half.

Except...

It never comes.

Lifting my gaze up to Utsuro, a sword peers dangerously beside his neck. And behind him stands Komu with an expression I've never seen on him before. He looks as if...satisfied.

     "I see you have made each other a friend," Utsuro says, stepping back. Komu lowers his weapon but says nothing. My head is still ringing with metal clanking with metal even though Utsuro is now walking away.

Before I can speak, he says over his back, "Meet me in the command room. I shall inform you of further plans for the mission." And the door shuts behind him. I stare at the door for a long time before realizing what he said.

     "Why did you stop back then?" I turn to Komu's voice, almost forgetting that I'm not alone.

     "I have no reason not to," I say, getting up. "I'd ask the same of you too. You helped me." When I look to his pale blue eyes, they show confusion which quickly recovers.

     "I guess we have one reason in common." I actually smile at his remark. But he makes it clear that he expects no humor in any of this. "I don't think smiling will do us any good."

The slight smile falters. "Us?"

     "I was supposed to train you, not make up for your pretty little mistakes by putting a sword at my master's throat." He releases a shuddering sigh.

     "But isn't that the same as training me? I mean, it's your job to watch after you pupil."

He gives me a disdainful look which I imply ignore. "You're lucky to even survive sparring with him," he says instead.

I shrug and proceed to retrieve the sword at the far side. "But I did."

     "Thank his blood." My steps falter at his mention.

Picking up the sword, I throw and Komu catches it. "Believe me, I don't." The words come from the heart. Never once had I use this absurdity to thank as a savior for my life. I shake away the sensation that crept into me when I was fighting with Utsuro. I'd do anything to not let it surface again. That feeling...

     "But I'm able to stand here now is also because of it. So I'll take the chance," I quietly add.

Komu sheathes our weapons and throws me mine. I reminded of how miserably I failed against the immortal.

     "Why did he let me pass?" I say when Komu turns to leave.

     "What do you think?" he asks.

I remember Utsuro's expression when I sparred with Komu. And compare to how he effortlessly moved and I barely dodged, there should be no way I'm accepted. But the time when Komu held the blade to his throat...

Finding it hard to believe, I reply, breathless. "Don't tell me that it's...teamwork?"

I manage to catch a small twitch of his lips before he turns away. "Only he knows what he's thinking."