Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Amber Horizons ❯ Chapter 5: Saitou Strikes Again ( Chapter 5 )

Title: Amber Horizons

Authors: Buffybot76 and profiler120

Email: buffybot76@hotmail.com & profiler120@hotmail.com

Rating: R

Pairing: Saitou/Misao

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.

Summary: Leaving the Aoyia was a life changing event. Waking up at a shrine many months later after wandering was another. But encountering Saitou Hajime after several years would prove to be earth shattering.

Author's note: This is a collaboration between myself (Buffybot76) and my friend (profiler120). Please go easy on us and please, no flames.

Chapter 5: Saitou Strikes Again

Misao edged her way down the hall of the Aoyia stealthily as she could. She drew nearer to the door that Okina and Aoshi had entered earlier with Saitou. She had an idea of why he was here. He needed the Oniwabanshuu's help on another job or something. She frowned, slinking back to a small alcove and hedging herself in it waiting for something to happen. She couldn't get too close or they would sense her. Unfortunately that meant within hearing range so she was stuck back here, packed away like a little mouse. She didn't actually want to see Saitou in means of talking to him but she did want to see him in means of what he was doing here.

Work, obviously, since the man seemed too career obessed to do anything else. Still, she didn't doubt he had his moments of... distraction. He was certainly providing enough of them for her, she thought somewhat irritably. While she waited, her mind wandered back to the day she had awoke inside the jail cell with Saitou standing over her. All those emotions and all that confusion. Not even to mention her physcial reaction - especially when he'd touched her. Whenever he touched her, she corrected, somewhat annoyed she didn't seem to have the same affect on him.

Yet her mind drifted from such things... to her own words. The words that had caused them to separate so quickly - to be released from his grip as he held her against him so snuggly.

The words she'd spoke about his wife had immediately doused the moment.

Aren't you supposed to be married?!

She had gotten an answer to her question, oh yes. But not from Saitou. She had recieved an answer on her way back to the Aoyia. From Aoshi of all people. She remembered when she'd found out about Tokio's death from Aoshi. A rather non-descript event, she thought remembering his bland explanation.

*~*~Flashback~*~*

Just a couple days before she'd been brought back to the Aoiya by Aoshi. The walk had been quiet, and a bit tense. He'd kept glancing down at her while she'd been stiffly silent, more nervous than anything.

"Aoshi-sama, do you know anything about Saitou's wife?"

She wasn't sure why she was asking. Maybe... maybe their recent closeness had her wondering about what the woman he went home to was really like.

His gaze remained straightforward. "She's dead." He replied, voice a quiet murmur.

"D-dead?" Misao stuttered, her pace slowing, and she very quickly fell behind already having to walk twice as fast to keep up with Aoshi's long strides.

He stopped and looked back at her. "Why?"

"N-No reason. Just curious. How did she die?"

They resumed walking. "I do not know."

She was kept from asking anymore questions as they stepped past the Aoiya's gate she was pounced on by Jiya. It was almost as if he'd been waiting for her.

*~*~End Flashback~*~*

She recalled how....sad, she had felt at hearing about Saitou's wife's death. Her eyes had actually gone misty for a moment. Then they had reached the Aoyia and chaos had ensued. She hadn't had time to think much more about it after that. Now he was here. And he was causing nothing but distraction for her. She just had to know why he was here. Just as she was gathering her resolve to try to get closer the door slid open and he stepped out ahead of the others. The others being Jiya and Aoshi who followed him out. Er, correction, she thought. Jiya followed him out, Aoshi remained out of sight probably absently sipping his tea acting as though Saitou didn't exist. She wouldn't be surprised.

"I'm sure Misao would be delighted at the opportunity. She seems to be quite eager to get back into the Oniwabanshuu business. I leave her in your care then," Okina spoke to the man whose attention seemed to be momentarily elsewhere.

Saitou nodded and made a reply which she didn't catch. Rather, her mind was in a whirl. In his care? Saitou's? Saitou's care?!

Before she fully realized what she'd just done she stepped fully into the hall, stomping her way to them. Jiya just smiled politely, about to speak when she cut him off. "What is this 'in Saitou's care business'?!"

She failed to notice Saitou's lack of surprise at seeing her or the steady look he'd given her from the moment she stepped out of her little alcove. If she had, she would have realized hiding had been futile. "That means I'm going to be your... 'guardian'." A puff of smoke drifted from his mouth as he accented the word.

"Guardian?" She shot him a withering look. "You? What a minute here! I do not need a guardian!"

Jiya shook his head. "Saitou is in charge of the Blue Creek mission Misao, if you want to work on the case you'll need to abide by his word," Jiya replied patiently.

She felt like she were being patted on the head with words. Who were they to talk down to her? Saitou just stood there grinning like he'd just bested her for the tenth time in a row while Jiya just smiled. She couldn't see Aoshi from where she was standing because Jiya was blocking the doorway but she didn't need to. He would be expressionless.

Misao turned back to Saitou, her angry gaze locking his amused one. Misao felt the urge to pummel him. It would have been very satisfying to just wipe the smirk off of that handsome face. Feeling it would be immature of her however, she held back. The last thing she wanted was to give him another reason to tease her or look down at her. Knowing she would be in hell if she had to work with Saitou, Misao turned to Jiya in appeal.

"Jiya, isn't there anything else I can do?" Misao managed to keep the wine out of her voice to ask the older man.

Okina looked thoughtful for a moment as he stroked his beard a bit before answering. "Well....I suppose Okon and Omasu do need extra help in the kitchen.

Misao backed up a pace. "So, Saitou? What do you want me to do?"

His smirk widened and she immediately regretted her choice of words.

"It's fairly straight forward, no contact with the target involved. I'm sure you can handle that." The teasing reply came, just as she had known it would.

She tensed, biting off her reply as she noticied Aoshi come to stand in the doorway, towering over Jiya. His face wasn't as expressionless as it usually was, but it was still unreadable as he glanced at Misao first, then slid his emotionless eyes to Saitou. Misao opened her mouth to say something to diffuse this awkward situation brewing but Omasu floated around a corner and announced that dinner was ready. Knowing that she would have some explaining to do later, Misao grudgingly followed Omasu as she led them all to the dining room.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Saitou watched the two discreetly. He'd been wanting to see them together since he'd arrived. So far however the weasel hadn't done anything remotely clingly toward Shinomori and he, typically, didn't seem to notice anyone besides himself. He frowned. This was not how he last remembered things. Was the weasel really over Shinomori? It certainly appeared as though her obsession for him had dimmed. It would also explain perhaps why she was entertaining his flirtations toward her. She fit in well though, as though she hadn't just returned from a long absence, he noted. Conversation flowed naturally around the table and Misao seemed to be in the middle of it all. Dinner was a bit of a long affair, causing him some irritation as he wanted to talk to the weasel alone. Eventually things all wound down and Omasu and Okon took over clearing the table while the others shuffled out. Misao was just about to slink out the front door when a strong hand descended onto her shoulder, pulling her back into the Aoyia.

"Oh no you don't, weasel. We aren't done with our little conversation yet." Saitou's voice was filled with amusement.

"Oh really? I thought we had. I certainly don't have anything more to say to you, Saitou." Misao retorted hotly. She shrugged his hand off her shoulder. "Get off."

His lips quirked up. "Suddenly don't like my touch?"

"I've never liked your touch in the first place!" She insisted, though a soft voice in the back of her mind quietly whispered "liar".

He leaned down. "Didn't Shinomori teach you not to lie?"

A blush flushed across her cheeks as she felt his breath against her skin and she, accordingly, backed away, her eyes widened at his sudden nearness. She felt her heart pick up in its pace and couldn't stop the soft gasp that passed her lips as her eyes locked with his. Had he just read her mind? No, he couldn't have. But she couldn't deny that it was a lie. She had enjoyed his touch! How or why it had come to affect her so, she had no idea, but there was no way she could deny--at least to herself-- that his touch was indeed distracting. Silently she cursed him for being able to have this affect on her. How in the world had it happened? That she suddenly found herself attracted to Hajime Saitou?

"Aoshi-sama has nothing to do with this conversation." Misao stated vehemently.

"What is going on with you two anyway? Finally stop chasing him around, or did he send you packing?" He taunted.

She puffed up. "'Send me packing!?' Hardly, and that's none of your business!"

"Oh, you did get rejected then?"

She snarled. "No! I didn't, I left for other reasons. Stop meddling!"

Saitou frowned. He wasn't getting the information he wanted. He was still unsure just why it was important for him to know the relationship between Shinomori and the little weasel, but for some reason it was. He wasn't about to enter into any kind of competition with Shinomori for her attention. He wasn't sure he wanted that kind of trouble and he certainly didn't want to get more involved with Shinomori than necessary. Especially if Shinomori had a genuine interest in her.

Is there something between you and Shinomori? Yes or no?"

"What's it to you?" She scowled, crossing her arms defiantly.

He stepped closer trapping her against the door. "I do not like repeating myself."

"Well then......don't." she countered, although her voice trembled just a bit. "Why are you so interested? Jealous?"

He scowled. Jealous? Like hell he was jealous, he thought irritated. Even more annoying than the question was her smug little grin, like she'd won something over him. Asking Shinomori would be useless and not only that it would rouse the man's suspcions. He was fairly certain those of the Aoyia family here would not take kindly to his 'playing' with the weasel. That of course meant he had to get the answer from her, and he wanted it. Now. He wanted it directly from her lips and he'd have it. If she liked it or not. He leaned forward, bringing his hands up to rest palms against the door trapping her against it.

"What was that?" He asked, his voice low and sultry.

He could almost see the nervousness spring to life in her as her eyes widened and her breath quickened. She looked to be trying to think of a response and coming up short. A hint of a smirk tugged at his lips as he took in her reaction. He had done this to her. Him. Not Shinomori or anyone else. Only him. He suddenly decided. Screw Shinomori. If he couldn't keep her, it was his own fault. She looked like she'd moved on anyway. That didn't do away with his desire to hear her say it though.

He dropped a hand to her shoulder, sliding it slowly inward along the soft fabric of her uniform toward her neck. She flinched slightly the moment his fingers touched the bare skin of her neck. His eyes flickered to hers, just staring as he began caressing her as he had done just earlier that afternoon.

"Why are you doing this to me?" The innocently voiced whisper made his blood pulse.

Pulling back from her slightly, Saitou replied seriously. "You answer my question and I'll answer yours."

The questions took Misao by surprise and she struggled to find the right words. Should she tell him about her and Aoshi-sama's agreement? That they had come to terms with their relationship. Her decision made, Misao met Saitou's eyes and shrugged.

"It didn't work out." She said simply.

His eyes narrowed on her, lips widening into a feral grin. 'Didn't work out'. How much more of a perfect answer could she have given him? She and Shinomori were over, if 'over' was the word to describe what had never actually 'been'. There would be no interference on Shinomori's part caused by jealousy.

Satisfied that she had held up her end of the bargain, Misao said, "Well....are you going to answer my question?"

He stared down at her only too happy to provide her with an answer. "I like you, minx. Let's play."

She tensed at his words, staring up into his almost glowing eyes. He thought he could play this on her again, did he? She cocked a grin. Now was as good a time as any to exact her revenge. Stand up for herself. She would be the only one seducing around here. Who cared if it never worked on Aoshi - Saitou was more than willing, it seemed, to respond. Reaching up, Misao entwined her arms around Saitou's neck, ensuring that he could not pull away. As if he would, she thought. She doubted he would have made his comment if he were planning on backing down now. He didn't move a muscle. Not to move away or to move closer. He simple stood there, allowing her free reign to do what she wished. Feeling a thrill run down her spine at this realisation, Misao dared to press closer, coming to rest her body flush against his.

Determined to get a reaction out of him, she recalled the memories of what had taken place the day he had rescued her from the shrine. What she had done. The way she had acted. She felt her confidence grow as she remembered she had almost broken his resolve then. And if she wanted, she could do so now. What exactly was stopping her? Nothing. The others would have retreated to their rooms at this time or to private acitivities. No one would be going by the door where she and Saitou were concealed in the partial darkness.

"Okay," she whispered, dragging out her sexy voice. "Let's play."

One of his hands was still at her neck while the other was pressed against the wall. She pressed herself up, touching her nose to his teasingly. He let a small smile play at his lips as he pondered what she would do next. Wondering just how far the little minx would go in thier little game. He would wait though, he liked this little aggressive streak of hers. Tokio had been a traditional wife, dainty and demure always conceding to his whims. Misao, however, was proving to be more forward and it sent a rush of excitement through him.

Misao stared up, meeting those bright amber eyes. There was a strange look to him at that moment. Something, with the curve of his lips, seemed mocking. As though he was, without a word, saying she would never go through with it. That she would never dare touch him. She ground her teeth slightly. She would show him what she was made of....Makimachi Misao was no child. She would prove she was a woman now, she would! Hajime Saitou would have no doubts about it. For the moment, to hell with what everyone else thought.

Allowing the innocently seductive smile to slide back onto her lips, Misao rose again on tiptoe to allow her mouth to hover inches from Saitou's. He kept his eyes trained on her, watching his little minx's every move. She is really going to do it, he thought. She was actually taking him up on his invitation. Scant inches decreased to nothingness as Misao closed the distance between thier lips. Her lips were soft, but amazingly sure against his, pressing ardently against him shifting her body impossibly closer. He barely suppressed a moan as she wiggled closer still. She was not going to make this easy on him, he could tell. But who said he would make it any easier on her?

He dropped his hands to her waist, sliding down over her hips. Of all the days she would choose to wear a kimono, he thought, when he wanted the feel of her bare legs against his hands. He was sliding a hand inward around the curve of her leg intending to sweep inside the material to touch her bare skin when.....

"Ahem!"

The exaggerated clearing of a throat caused Saitou to stiffen, his hands stilling in their quest for heated flesh. Misao gasped as she pulled away from him quickly, practically flattening herself against the wall to put as much distance between them as possible. They both turned surprised eyes toward their guest. Misao was clearly embarrassed, a bright flush tinting her cheeks, heart pounding fast as her chest heaved, almost panting.

"H-hi, Aoshi-sama." Misao mumbled nervously, her eyes darted anywhere but in the direction of either Saitou or Aoshi, who stood to the right of them.

Aoshi's gaze was stationary on Saitou however, never once turning toward her.

"Go to bed, Misao."

Saitou wondered, momentarily, if she would protest, but she just slipped past him and ran off, disappearing futher into the Aoyia. He watched her go before turning his gaze on the man who had interrupted. Untimely, certainly, but he wasn't grieving the disturbance. This was an inevitable meeting anyway. He reached into a pocket, fishing out a cigarette and making quick work of lighting it. He put it to his lips, inhaling deeply and releasing a long, wispy trail of smoke.

"So, Shinomori...You gonna scold me and send me to bed too, or are we gonna talk?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

TBC....