Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Amber Horizons ❯ Chapter 2: The Raid ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: Any and all characters belong to Watsuki-sensei. We own nothing but the plot of this fic. We also do this not for profit, but to show my appreciation for the wonderful anime/manga that is Rurouni Kenshin. Please don't sue.

Chapter 2: The Raid

"Have a seat." Daiani offered, gesturing toward the spare chair to her right.

Misao gave her a slightly suspicious look and shook her head slightly. "No thanks, I think I'll stand."

Daiani frowned at this, but nodded anyway. "Very well, I take it you overheard part, if not all of mine and Sachi's conversation, did you not?"

"Yes," Misao replied without hesitation.

Daiani eyed the pack strung over the girl's shoulder. "And were you planning on leaving us?" Daiani asked, shaking her head. " And just when we were about to issue you an invitation to join our ranks too. Such a pity."

Misao shifted her weight to her other foot. "Of course I was leaving, I travel around, but that isn't the issue here. What's all this talk about invitations and ranks? Especially all this 'target' stuff, because I do not approve of senselessly killing people!"

Misao heard Sachi's soft gasp from beside her and saw when Daiani's eyes narrowed. *I knew it!* she thought. *They are up to no good! I just can't believe Sachi is in on it as well.*

Misao's body tensed when she saw Daiani move slightly toward her desk. She had never felt comfortable around this woman, and now she felt that her unease was justified. Miaso mentally readied herself for a fight not sure if that was what was coming, but when Daiani's hand dipped below the range of her sight she shifted suddenly, moving just quick enough to dodge the shuriken hurled at her.

The woman was quick. Dangerously so.

Misao leapt to her feet once she had rolled out of the way of the direct attack. She quickly withdrew her kunai, positioning them in her hand and turned to throw them in the direction that Daiani had just been. But the woman was no longer there. Instead, she was at the door, throwing it open and beckoning to someone out in the hallway. Misao tried not to panic as she realized others would be coming soon. She had to take out Daiani quick or she'd be overpowered.

Looking to her left, Misao hesitated only an instant before she darted toward the window, having to leap over Daiani's desk in doing so. The crash was deafening, and Misao felt little pin needles of pain pricking all over her arms, which she had thrown up to sheild her face from the broken glass. She landed with a jarring thud, additional pain from the impact adding to that of her already bleeding wounds. She rolled several feet before coming to a stop and unsteadily rising to her feet. She thought momentarily she might actually get away, but the thought was fleeting as Daiani appeared at the window. The woman motioned wildly to the girls outside training.

"Stop her! Now!"

Misao weighed her options, fight or run? Considering she was vastly outnumbered, she decided to run. She raced as fast as she could, hoping against hope that she could at least make it to the forest that lined the west side of the shrine. Once there she would have the safety of the trees in which to hide. She was only a few yards away, when she suddenly found herself boxed in. About eight women surrounded her, effectively cutting her off. She took up a defensive stance immediately, though she knew in her heart that it was hopeless. She had seen these women train for two months. They were way more advanced in fighting than she was. But Misao was determined....she would not go down without a fight.

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Saitou murmured under his breath, cursing all the way. He was seriously beginning to hate this aggrevating mission. Who the hell put a shrine in the middle of such thick brush? It didn't help the bugs were everywhere. The last one had gone straight in his eye and it still stung. His men were trudging along behind him, thankfully the shrine was close.

When they drew closer, Saitou gestured to the men flanking him, a silent order for them to move into position. The raid team moved stealthily through the shadows provided by the dense foilage, preparing to set up the equipment and weapons they would need when the signal was given. The shrine was, thankfully, in sight now. He had expected the sight of it, clear and open. He had not expected what he found. An all out female brawl in the middle of the courtyard.

There was a crowd of women, eight of whom where at that very moment ganging up on an individual female. The lone girl was holding her own for now, but Saitou could tell that she wouldn't for much longer. He crept closer - something felt familiar about this situation here. What was the feeling? He absently motioned his men to take closer positions sneaking up to the perimeter of the shrine. He tensed at the sound of a female shriek - realizing suddenly, almost painfully so, he knew what it was. This feeling - it was that weasel girl! The fact that the little weasel was here threw Saitou for a moment. What in hell was she doing here?! He couldn't make out physical appearances from his position, but he had a sinking feeling that the woman on the ground was indeed Shinomori's personal shadow.

He couldn't move to help her out either for risk of blowing the raid. All he could do was stay in his secluded spot and watch as the women decended upon the badly injured girl. Suddenly, there was a sharp cry that alerted Saitou, as well as the assaulting mob of women. They turned at the sound and found *another* young woman fighting her way to the downed girl's side. Finally reaching it, the slightly larger girl, helped the injured Misao to her feet. Misao lifted her head with great effort as she felt soft but strong arms encircle her. Pain-filled green eyes met sorrowful gray and Misao felt her head spin as recognition struck.

"Sachi?" Her voice cracking as she spoke her friend's name.

Sachi gave Misao an apologetic look. "I am so sorry about this Misao." She murmured, then turned defiantly to the other women who were staring in confusion at their "sister" as she assisted the "traitor". Saitou watched in interest as the women began backing away slightly. It seemed they were reluctant to attack one of their own. Intrigued and uncharacteristically worried about the weasel, Saitou crept closer than was safe for his mission so that he could listen in. Any closer however and he would be discovered for certain, the foliage was not being as accomodating as it could, he thought bitterly.

"Sachi!"

There were murmurs and gasps as the women all backed away from yet another female, larger and older than the others. The female in the center, he assumed to be 'Sachi' was supporting the weasel girl as she uneasily stood. He glanced over what he could see of her form, noting her battered body would need rest once he got her out of here. Damn girl always was trouble.

"Daiani." Sachi replied bitterly, as she stared into the enraged eyes of her leader.

"I am disappointed in you Sachi. You are supposed to be dedicated to us first and everything else second. Perhaps you were never really prime material for our group."

"You're a sick woman, and I really liked you too," Misao spoke, staring up into the eyes of a woman she'd once respected.

"Please save your strength Misao." Sachi urged.

Misao scoffed. "Please, this is nothing."

Daiani laughed. "Oh, she has spunk that one. It's unfortunate, you would have been a wonderful addition to our group, you just don't have the heart for our line of work."

"You would dare to call this work? Stealing people's lives? Robbing families of their fathers and brothers?" Misao spat angrily.

Saitou grinned. If nothing else the girl had honor in her - that was admirable.

"That's your problem entirely Misao. You're too idealistic. You as well Sachi. Your heart was weak before she came but now you're even worse off." Daiani paused. "No choice then... kill them both."

The woman's sudden declaration to kill them startled Saitou slightly. She had written them off so easily, it caused his heart to lurch uneasily. He detested those who had no respect for life. His mind settled on the fact that something had to be done, and soon, if the weasel and this 'Sachi' girl were to have any chance of surviving. Saitou decided right then and there. The raid wasn't supposed to take place for another 15 minutes. Unfortunately they didn't have time. The raid was going to have to go down now.

He gave the signal to his men, most of whom were caught offguard and therefore, not ready. He growled lowly, he would have a talk with them later about being unprepared when they were on a mission. Saitou watched as his men scrambled to compensate for the too early signal as the raid was set into motion. Even as Saitou and his men converged on the shrine, the mob of women had already begun their own assault....on Sachi and Misao. Despite being badly injured, Misao fought valiantly beside Sachi: obviously the only true friend she had made during her stay at the shrine.

They were back to back, their opponents surrounding them. The mass of women surged forward suddenly, and despite their struggles, Misao and Sachi found themselves falling victim to the brutal punches and kicks of women they had once thought friends. Misao felt the haziness of unconsciousness begin to overwhelm her. Then, Sachi's sudden pain-filled scream caused Misao to jerk back into awareness. She squirmed around as best she could, being curled into a fetal position to fend off the assault. Her eyes sought out and found Sachi's body only a few feet away. She was curled into much the same position as Misao only she wasn't moving.

His men rushed the field, but it was too late. The damage was already inflicted. The crowd of women was abruptly and forcefully scattered as they flew away from the young women they'd been abusing. Saitou took a glance around before turning his eyes to the scene in front of him. Misao was up, cradling her broken form as she crawled toward her fallen comrade. Her braid fell off one shoulder, face smudged, clothes torn, skin cut open, bruises already dotting her frame.

."Sachi..." he heard her whisper, lengthening his stride to approach faster. She reached the girl before he reached her, pulling her head up, cradling her head in her lap. "Sachi?"

He paused as he reached them, for once not sure what he should do about her. The girl was bloody and bruised. He repressed a shudder, an image flashing behind his eyeslids of a similiar scene from not so long ago. He swallowed hard staring down at the girl, but for a moment, seeing another's face. Unknowingly, he whispered. "Tokio." He'd never seen her cry before, and yet tears silently streaked down her face. He took one glance at the female and realized with sickening clarity she was already dead. He'd seen the look of death so many times he could not mistake it for anything else. She shifted suddenly, laying her friend gently to the ground and stood up.

She didn't seem to realize he was standing there, he noted as her eyes were far away, focusing on something else: His men engaged in subduing the women he realized. She glanced around, searching. He reached out tilting her chin to him, drawing her attention to him. She glared outright, silently telling him not to interfere.

"Saitou," she hissed.

"Thinking about death, weasel? You think you can kill that woman?"

She snatched her chin out of his grip. "What are you doing here?" she looked away. "And stop calling me that!"

Just then, Koji approached Saitou and Misao, Daiani in tow, shackled behind him. "Sir, we have the leader of the assassins, sir."

At Koji's words, Misao's eyes flashed angrily. Before he knew what was happening, Koji felt his sword, which was sheathed at his side, being withdrawn. He saw the girl who had been standing beside his commanding officer move toward his prisoner and made to intercept. But he needn't have bothered. Saitou's strong hand clamped down on Misao's left shoulder, yanking her backward while his other hand plucked the sword from her and tossed it back to its owner. Koji fumbled with the sword, managing to knick a couple of his fingers before getting hold of his weapon.

Saitou never even flinched as Misao's body collapsed backward against him, her back pressing intimately into his front. He felt her wince and heard a low moan at the impact as her body went limp, the only thing holding her upright was his arm, which had wrapped unconsciously around her waist. He knew she was badly injured--was lucky to be alive--though he doubted that the little weasel would feel lucky. Not when the girl who had obviously been a friend, was laid slain only a few feet away.

"Sir?" Koji's questioning voice brought Saitou back from his somber musings. "What are you going to do about her, sir?" the rookie continued, gesturing toward Misao, who still hung limply over his arm.

Sighing, Saitou bent slightly and hooked his arm behind the fainted girl's knees and whisked her up into his arms. He shot Koji a glare as he growled, "I'll take care of the brat, see to handling *her*," and he pointed to the shackeled woman.

He made to stalk off, but halted and spun on his heel calling back to the young man who was beginning to lead Daiani away.

"Oh, and Koji...?"

The man spun around immediately. "Yes, sir?"

"When I return from seeing the prisoners to their destination we *will* be discussing your carelessness today." With that, Saitou turned and walked away cradling Misao to his massive chest.

The girl was light, not surprising given her small frame, and despite her beating she seemed to be stirring a bit now and then, but only to mutter incoherently. It was amusing, he would have to note that when she woke up, perhaps tell her about how she was spouting her love for Shinomori just to watch her face turn red. He was so caught up imagining his scheme to embarass the little weasel that he didn't notice when her right hand, which was wrapped around his neck, began to caress the fine hairs at his nape.

He turned his gaze down to her, but her head was against his chest, a soft, low moan escaping her lips, not of pain as he'd expected, but of contentment. Frowning, Saitou wondered briefly what could possibly have caused it. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, drowsily. She blinked a few times, before turning her sleepy gaze to his face, her eyes--which were mysteriously void of any expression of pain--locking with his. He stilled in his steps, watching her carefully, waiting for her to do or say something. More than likely a demand that he put her down. But as he stared into her eyes, he was surprised to see not one bit of repulsion or hatred revealed in them. She looked serene. Maybe the girl was more injured than he thought.

Then he felt something soft and warm lightly touch his cheek. Amber eyes widening, he realized that it was her hand. He glanced back to see her biting her bottom lip, only to smooth her tongue over it a moment later.

"Saitou..." she whispered.

Saitou arched an eyebrow questioningly. Just what the hell was the little weasel up to?

Misao's eyes hazed over even more as she continued. "Do you know how beautiful your eyes are? They're like....." Her shocking words trailed off, leaving Saitou almost wishing her to finish her statement. Instead, she said, "You're too tense all the time, you know that? You should relax more often."

She moved, shifting her weight in his arms causing his grip to tighten so she didn't fall, although maybe it would knock her out of his little daze she was in. Nevermind, he was finding it interesting. Saitou just didn't know *how* interesting it was about to get. She ran her tongue across her lips again drawing his eye with the motion. How he'd love to know what was going through her head right now, he thought absently. She shifted again, closer this time, her face close enough for him to feel her breath against his cheek.

He tore his gaze from hers, ignoring how he'd somehow become all too aware of her body pressed against his. Apparently those women had hit her entirely too hard and damaged the poor girl. He tensed as her other hand wrapped up and started tracing down his earlobe.

"Always liked that hair of yours..." she murmured reaching up to delicately yank on a strand. "Always thought it was... hmm... what's that word Okon used... 'sexy'."

His jaw tensed, and he found himself stopped again. Maybe they'd both been damaged and he hadn't realized it? She wasn't supposed to be acting this way and he damn sure wasn't supposed to find it this distracting! He was beginning to think that maybe his earlier idea of dropping her hadn't been so bad after all. She had just called him 'sexy'. His mouth quirked up into a grin. The little weasel girl had a thing for him? Oh, this was *way* better than the Shinomori thing.

She would never live this one down.

For the moment however it was somewhat disturbing, especially given his reaction to her advances. His own quickening breath couldn't be a good sign. Or, at least a sign that he was in full control of his thought processes at the moment. Attempting his best scowl, Saitou tried to ignore the way the girl was wiggling, almost suggestively, in his arms. He direly hoped she remembered this later, otherwise teasing her wouldn't be half as fun. He'd have to remember to rub this in Shinomori's face too. Saitou chuckled in amusement at this thought.

"Saitou?"

He felt like biting his own lip if only to ease the tension she was causing him. Was the girl trying to seduce him? If so, she wasn't doing too bad of a job. Strangely enough it didn't sound so unpleasant. She had a nice voice, he realized, very senusal. He noticed she had gone quiet again and risked a glance down at her. Shinomori was completely insane, he thought suddenly. How the hell hadn't he noticed this before? She shifted again, drawing closer still, causing him to tense again as her breath fanned against his mouth, her nose brushing his.

He drew in a quick breath as her lips skimmed over his before pulling back slightly. The little tease! He thought heatedly. Just what the hell was she playing at?

Her hands shifted to rest on either of his shoulders, fisting the material she found there and then sliding her hands roughly across his shoulders. She pulled herself upward awkwardly leaning close, pressing her lips against his ear, gently nipping at his skin. Saitou gritted his teeth, wondering if the torture was ever going to end. It did. Just not in the way he was hoping. He felt her lips trail along his angular jaw, pausing to nip lightly every few inches, before finally making their way to his chin. Once there, she traced the tip of her tongue upward to lick the small area of flesh between his chin and lower lip.

Once her tongue had reached its destination, it began to move in slow sweeps over Saitou's bottom lip, not seeming in any way interested in entering his mouth. Instead, it seemed intent on teasing the tauntness from his lips, which he had drawn tight in an attempt to not give in. He felt his resolve crumbling, peice by peice, the longer her warm little tongue continued its inviting dance across his mouth.

He was just seconds from saying to hell with it all...Shinomori, Battousai, the Oniwabanshuu...All of them and just give in to what the little minx...for she certainly wasn't reminding him of a weasel at the moment....was offering. He tilted his head just slightly down, but the grip of her hands was loosening and her eyes were fluttering closed. He growled in frustrated at himself as well as the girl he was holding. The girl who he now found himself thorougly captivated by. The girl who had, only seconds before, been tempting him beyond reason. The girl who was now passed out cold in his arms.

Damn.

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