Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Amber Horizons ❯ Chapter 6: Confrontations and the Journey Begins ( Chapter 6 )

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.

Author's Note: Hello loyal readers. Thank you for your support and comments. We are glad that you are enjoying the story so far. We ask that you please excuse any similiarites, if any, to the fanfic "Charmed" written by Churiken and Rurouni Angel. They were not done purposefully and we assure you the stories vary greatly in plot. If there are any similarities then we credit them to Chiruken and Rurouni Angel since "Charmed" was written first.

Chapter 6: Confrontations and the Journey Begins

"What do you think you are doing with Misao?" Aoshi asked, approaching the man standing by the Aoyia's doorway.

"What's it matter to you for? Weasel told me she was done with you." Saitou smirked, lazily taking a draw of his cigarette as he watched Aoshi draw near. He then exhaled the smoke in the other man's direction.

Aoshi's mouth turned down into a definite frown. "Perhaps Misao has given up her obsession with me, that does not mean you can redirect her attention to you. You are far too old for Misao."

"Someone told me once age was nothing but a number," Saitou replied turning his head slightly away. "She doesn't seem to mind."

Aoshi's eyes narrowed dangerously as he spoke. "Yes, that is precisely the problem."

Saitou returned the look coolly. "She is unattached, and unmarried. She has not shunned my attention, as you so clearly saw." He grinned at the younger male, as though daring him to challenge.

"Perhaps Misao's working with you is not such a good idea. Especially given how... distracted you seem to be around her. How can Misao's safety be guaranteed?"

"Oh, don't you worry about the little weasel Shinomori. I'll take real good care of her." Saitou couldn't help but smirk.

Aoshi frowned. "Exactly the problem. She doesn't need *that* much care."

Saitou allowed his smirk to fade. "Misao's safety while under my care is naturally a concern, I've already thought over the matter. I've decided to assign her an escort for her own protection. Koji Tsuji, he's one of my junior officers but capable enough to handle Misao."

Aoshi stepped back, looking as though he might end the discussion, but then suddenly stepped closer to Saitou than before. They were almost nose to nose as Aoshi stared down the former Shinsengumi captain. "You'd better hope, Saitou, that this Tsuji will be able to keep Misao safe. Because if he doesn't, you *will* be sorry."

Saitou merely raised his cigarette to his mouth again, ignoring the comment altogether. "I got ya, no need to grow fangs and pointy tail. The girl will be fine. She's not a kid, you know."

Aoshi's eyebrow twitched slightly, but other than that there was no other reaction from him. Backing up a step, he turned quickly on his heel and disappeared up the stairs of the Aoyia.

Saitou released a slow breath, glad the confrontation was over. His mouth twitched when he realized things had gone better than he'd expeccted. Come tomorrow morning he'd collect the weasel, brief her on the details of what she'd be doing and maybe they could play a little more too. He released the last wispy trail of smoke from his mouth and chucked the cigrette out the door. He turned and made his way to the stairs, on his way to his borrowed room. He sighed heavily, looking forward to the rest.

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

Misao paced the length of her room restlessly. Go to bed, he'd said. As if she could go to sleep while there could possibly be a killing happening downstairs at that very moment! Why, oh why hadn't she stayed her ground and tried to explain. But no... she'd just backed off like some scared little kitten just because she was embarrassed. How dare he order her around? She wasn't a child anymore. And just what was she doing, getting all hot and steamy with Saitou anyway? When had Saitou become so appealing? When had she started desiring the touch of his hands?

She turned her gaze upward in a hopeless gesture. Probably when he started taking her seriously. The first man to show her a bit of attention, and what does she do? She practically swoons at his feet, she thought to herself bitterly. She only looked up from her self-loathing when a knock came at the door.

She knew before the door even opened that it was Aoshi. She had known he would come to speak with her on the incident. To scold her, or so he thought. she mused. Not this time though, she'd had enough. Makimachi Misao would *not* stand for it anymore!

"Come in." she stated, keeping her voice as confident as she could.

The shoji slid open almost noiselessly, allowing Aoshi to step into Misao's room. After sliding it back, he stood there, back turned to her for a moment. As if he couldn't quite bring himself to look at her. Was he....ashamed of her? No! she reminded herself. She hadn't done anything wrong....except maybe to kiss Saitou...and allow him to taunt her into that silly "game". But that wasn't the point. The point was that Aoshi wasn't looking at her! She held herself firm although she was just itching to speak. Wait, she told herself. Wait for him to speak. She urged herself to be mature and stay quiet. It seemed slow as he turned to face her. His eyes fell upon her and she shifted nervously. Their eyes met and the tension in the room seemed to coil even tighter.

"What were you doing with Saitou?"

She felt her mouth drop into a frown. Of all the obvious answered questions for him to ask. He knew *exactly* what she was doing with Saitou, he'd stood right there and - !

She crossed her arms defiantly. "I'm not a little girl anymore, and that is a very private question which you have no right to ask."

His jaw seemed to set in a matter that betrayed his displeasure at her answer.

"If it is what you want..." he conceded, but his eyes told that he was unhappy with her.

"I don't know what I want. Saitou is just..."

Maybe he sensed she was in turmoil, bucause he reachedin a rare moment, pressing a comforting hand to her shoulder. "Saitou's physical needs are much stronger than your's Misao. Be careful what you are getting yourself involvedin before it's too late to go back."

With that, he quietly swept out the door and she collapsed onto her futon. She sighed heavily and asked herself if things could possibly get any worse.

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

The break of dawn brought business back to the Aoyia. Misao came downstairs, masterfully twirling her long hair into a secure braid, failing to notice she was being observed. A short mistake soon rectified when the observer placed himself strategically in her path, capitalizing on the opportunity to touch her. She walked straight into him, causing her footing to stumble slightly, not as much as he'd hoped, but he gripped her securely around the waist anyway.

"Walk much, weasel?"

She grumbled slightly and attempted to step back from him. He was reluctant to let her go. At his hesitation, she spoke.

"Don't you think you've caused me enough trouble?"

He immediately released her, eyes narrowing slightly. He turned, placing his hold back.

"Eat. You have fifteen minutes, I'll be waiting out front."

Misao watched as he turned and walked off. She hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should call him back and aplogize, but didn't. She wasn't sorry. Not really. He had caused her a bit of trouble, more confusion perhaps than anything else though. She followed the path to the small dining room lost in thought. The others bustled around and she tried to pretend everything was normal. Even when Aoshi made his way inside and sat down, not a word to anyone, although that was quite common. She sighed heavily, picking meagerly at her food drawing the conerned gazes of the others.

"Misao?" Omasu called gently.

Misao stood, flashing them a smile. "I'm going to help Saitou on a case. I haven't done anything for the Oniwabanshuu in a while, I'm just a little worried."

They all stared.

She smiled again, waving a hand absently. "Don't worry about it, everything's fine. I'll be back."

She turned leaving them to stare after her. She was too distracted, she needed to clear her mind. Maybe that meditation that Aoshi did really worked? She contemplated it a moment, but ultimately decided against it. If she tried she'd only think about him more. She couldn't explain her irritablity. She'd felt that way since the sun had splashed her face that morning waking her earlier than she'd wanted and then keeping her awake. She'd tossed and turned in the early daylight hours but could not fall back asleep. She'd just been in a sour mood since then, and she doubted it would get any better. She stepped out the door finding Saitou leaning against the side of the building, once again a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth.

"Well?" She said as she placed her hands on her hips and hoped she looked irritated.

Saitou allowed a puff of smoke to escape his lips and raised an eyebrow at her. "You're late, weasel."

Misao's eyebrow twitched slightly. Growling, she opened her mouth to protest but was cut off by Saitou. "We leave for Tokyo in 30 minutes, weasel. I suggest you use the time to gather your stuff and say your goodbyes." He stated as he pushed off from the wall and brushed past her as he walked out into the yard. Calling over his shoulder he continued, "And don't take so long this time, will ya?"

Misao stood motionless for all of five seconds before Satiou's words actually sank in. "Why you...you...OOOOH!!" Fists clenched at her side, Misao proceeded to shoot imaginary kunai at Saitou's retreating back with her eyes as she continued her rant. "Who do you think you are giving me orders?! Hey! *Hey*! Don't just walk away! I'm talking to you!"

Saitou, pausing in his step, glanced back over his shoulder at the red-faced woman. With a smirk he said, "You're wastin' time, weasel, better get a move on." then continued to saunter out the gate.

"GAHHH!" Misao screamed her frustration into the air before quickly turning and marching back into the Aoyia and stomping up the stairs to her room.

Misao glanced around her room quickly gathering the essentials. She was quite familiar with travel packing at this point, she thought, somewhat amused, letting her irritation with Saitou momentarily pass. She made her way downstairs more slowly than usual, reluctant to tell them she was again leaving although they should already realize that sending her to work again would require her going out.

She met them in the main room where everyone was conspicously gathered, apparently waiting for her. Tearful goodbyes followed, but she was sent off with smiling faces. With the notable exception of Aoshi whose gaze seemed more intent upon her than usual, as though he were already silently reproving her.

She found Saitou waiting outside the gate of the Aoyia this time. Turning her nose up, Misao didn't even acknowlege him as she walked through the gate and proceeded on toward the path. She would not let him get to her again. Saitou leaned against the gate, left foot propped up against one of the slates, and watched her march determinedly down the path for a moment, his eyes observing the way her hips swayed in an unconciously hypnotic way. Flicking away the smouldering cigarette stub, Saitou smirked as he pushed away from the gate and followed his little minx's lead.

His eyes scarcely wandered from her form as they walked. He was tempted to tease her about being so quiet, and then again about being lost but ultimately said nothing. Yet after several more minutes he was finding her silence to be disconcerting. As though it were an unnatural thing and that such silences did not belong anywhere in the vicinity of such a vibrant female.

"Hey." He called out, but she did not respond. "Weasel."

Again, she ignored him. He grinned, admiring her determination.

"Minx..." He called, allowing his voice to drop, hoping to catch her interest.

To his satisfaction she did turn, but was frowning. Marching back up to Saitou, despite the fact that she only came up to his chest, Misao proceeded to raise herself up on tiptoe so she could glare into his eyes. She then began ranting again, all the while poking a finger in his chest. "You listen here Saitou! *poke* Who the hell do you think you are? *poke* ordering me around like one of your officers? *I'm* not on your payroll, buddy, *poke* so you can just back *poke* off!" *poke*

He stared down at the petite hand that was poking at his chest. He doubted she had any idea just how amusing she was. He reached down his fingers wrapping completely around her thin wrist.

"Payroll?" he mused. "Not of the currency type, but payment could be arranged."

Gasping, Misao jerked her hand back, holding it to her chest as if he had burnt her. Her eyes immediately narrowed dangerously. "Just what does *that* suppose to mean?"

When Saitou didn't reply immediately, Misao threw up her hands. "Never mind! I don't wanna know what your sick mind is thinking up."

He frowned a bit, staring down at her, his amusement fading. "Really, have you suddenly found me to be lacking? Or is this a result of something that pest Shinomori said?"

Misao gave him a sharp look. "Huh? Aoshi-sama doesn't have anything to do with this."

"Oh no?" He reached out slipping a hand beneath her chin and curling his fingers up around it. He leaned down a bit as he pulled, she stumbled slightly at the awkwardness of the movement, stumbling forward to avoid an impact with his body.

Forcing herself to meet his gaze, Misao replied. "No." though it came out a bit weak.

"Why do I remain unconvinced?" He was almost growling at her now, eyes narrowed.

Misao's mouth opened to reply, then snapped closed again when she floundered for a comeback. She had no idea how to answer him. Not to mention the fact that she found herself not very convinced in her performance either. That fact irked her. Alot.

His amusement returned at the perplexed look that appeared on her face and he released her, his sudden spurt of anger just as suddenly gone. He would have, perhaps, enough time with her away from Shinomori so that whatever the other man had said, wouldn't matter so much to her anymore. He stepped past her on the path and continued walking. Misao stood in confusion of what had just happened. Saitou Hajime had just backed down? He'd dropped his taunting game?

Finally snapping back to herself, Misao whirled around in time to hear Saitou call over his shoulder. "You comin' weasel, or am I gonna have to pack you all the way back to Tokyo?"

Cringing, Misao frowned as the thought of "I spoke too soon" flitted through her mind. Ahead of her Saitou sighed, this was going to be a long trip.

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

They continued on throughout the first day of travel without anymore confrontations. As the sun began to sink in the sky, Saitou suggested that they begin to set up camp. He then went to gather wood as Misao laid collected stones and dug a hole for the fire. Once that was done, she began to situate her bedding. Then there was the matter of food. She reached around digging through her bag searching for the parcels she'd caught Omasu stuffing into her pack before she left. She found them and dug them out, unwrapping the unexpected gift just as Saitou reappeared.

After setting out the preserved portions of food, Misao secretly watched through lowered lashes as Saitou knelt down and began to build a fire. The sun was beginning to disappear over the horizon, casting a redish hue to the sky and the surrounding area began to grow darker. Despite that, Misao could still see the way the muscles of Saitou's back and arms flexed under his shirt as he twisted and moved. They looked so nice and solid. So strong. They were practically begging for someone to reach out and just run a hand over them. Misao quickly beat back that urge, though a shiver caused her body to shake slightly, drawing Saitou's attention.

"You cold already weasel?" his voice lacked the teasing tone, but Misao was sure that was what he was doing.

"I'm fine." she huffed, as she crossed her arms over her chest.

He kept an eye on her as he continued to shuffle around, busying himself with this and that. Her shivering however seemed to have stopped. He sat down some time later, yawning a bit. He obviously needed to eat or he'd be falling asleep within the next half hour, he thought absently reaching for the food she'd set out. He noticed the way her eyes were following him, as though she didn't want him to notice she was staring. He hid his grin.

Wanting to test his theory, Saitou let out a long drawn out groan and stretched his arms above his head, carefully watching her as he did so. Yep, she's definitely looking. He thought as he saw her eyes grow a bit wider when his shirt stretched taunt across his broad chest. Distracted as he was watching her he barely registered the sound of the wildlife around them. It had grown dark during this time, and with nightfall came the roaming of certain nocturnal creatures. One such creature chose that precise moment to let loose a lone echoing howl.

"Aaarrooooo."

"Kyaaa!"

"Mfffph!"

>Thud<

Saitou groaned as he impacted with the ground, striking a small, but sizable rock causing his back to throb painfully. Atop him, she sat, eyes wide, looking around nervously. He paused to consider. Was this good, or bad? He wasn't even sure. He reached up resting his hands on her hips drawing her attention.

"Hey weasel, I thought you weren't so happy about me touching you anymore? You suddenly change your mind?" His voice sounded more serious than he'd wanted it to, he realized as he stared up at her.

"I never said I wasn't happy about you touching me." she stated calmly, bending down to look at him from where she sat straddle of him. He had expected her to become embarassed and scramble to remove herself from her position atop him. He hadn't thought she would take on this serious expression she now wore.

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

TBC...