Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Amber Horizons ❯ Chapter 7: Ambushed on the Trail to Tokyo ( Chapter 7 )

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 Aoiya was a life changing event. Waking up at a shrine many months later after wandering was another. But encountering Hajime Saitou 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 7: Ambushed On the Trail to Tokyo

Misao looked down at the man beneath her, eyebrows drawn together in frustration. Damn him, she thought angrily. Damn him for making me lose my concentration like that. It's all his fautl that I was distracted. If not for him, that little wolf howl wouldn't have phazed me at all. And what's all this nonsense about me not caring for his touch anymore? When had she ever said that?

"I never said I wasn't happy about you touching me."

Saitou stared up from where he lay sprawled beneath Misao, an eyebrow arched at her comment. Had she really meant what she'd said? Did she still crave his touch? He hoped so, because despite all of Shinomori's warnings, he still craved hers.

They stared intensely at one another until Misao broke it by looking away uneasily. Saitou's deep chuckle caused her even more discomfort as she finally took in her actual position... straddling his hips

"Little wildlife got you jittery, minx?" Saitou smirked, a hint of teasing in his voice.

Misao's gaze sharpened at the use of the nickname. It hadn't escaped her notice he switched from 'weasel' to 'minx' when things got a little... serious between them. Did that mean he was going to... Would they kiss again? She had to admit, the thought made her a bit giddy.

She struggled to keep her wits about her. "Why do you keep calling me that?" She tried to look annoyed but worried she wasn't pulling it off well enough.

Saitou's smirk grew wider. "Do you really want to know?" He asked as he slid his hands up from her thighs to grasp her hips lightly.

Misao stiffened slightly as she felt his hands move higher, causing an odd sensation within her. Her heart sped up as a tingling sensation spread throughout her body. He sat up slowly, the motion causing her nerves to fray just slightly. Does he have to move like a tiger about to pounce? she wondered, watching him with careful eyes. He raised one hand from her hip to the back of her head, fingers falling around the braid slightly as he pulled her unexpectedly forward. Misao gasped softly and her eyes widened in surprise at the sudden closeness.

"Wh-what are you doing?" She sputtered, bringing her hands up to brace against his chest, though she didn't push him away.

He chuckled lowly. "You sound worried."

This seemed to snap her back slightly as she blinked, the uncertainty vanishing under a tide of determination. What she was determined about, he couldn't begin to imagine, but he wasn't all that interested at the moment. He leaned close, his nose brushing against hers.

"You enjoy spending time with me, minx?" He asked, voice low and senusal, ignoring her previous question.

Misao noticed his attempt to evade answering her. She didn't really know what possessed her. Perhaps it was her likening him to one in her mind earlier. Whatever the reason, Misao couldn't stop a mischievious glint from appearing in her eyes as she leaned close. Brushing her nose against his in return, she said, "I'll answer your question if you answer mine, Tiger."

'Tiger'? A grin quirked at the corner of his lips. Tiger? Did she mean to tame him? He was tempted to ask but put the matter aside for now. Besides, he wasn't exactly sure himself as to why he had bestowed her with a second nickname. Granted, they were basically the same thing, but somehow the word 'minx' just suited her far better at times than 'weasel' did. Even if he didn't know how to explain it, she still demanded an answer. He met her stare evenly. He didn't have answers, he had needs. Needs he wouldn't necessarily have wanted Makimachi Misao waking in him again after he'd put them cruelly to rest, but it was too late now. Nor was he sorry for it.

Yet.

He wasn't sure what the future held in that respect. He had very little control over his new, sudden attraction to the young girl. Her name was a breath on his lips before he leaned, touching them to hers. She trembled, melting against him and into his kiss. They remained locked together in the heated embrace for several moments, causing all questions--all thoughts in fact--to vanish from Misao's mind. Saitou grasped Misao's chin tenderly, tilting her head to the side slightly, as he deepened the kiss. His tongue teased her lips, silently urging them to open and allow him entrance.

A soft moan escaped as Misao's lips submitted to Saitou's will, allowing his tongue to enter her mouth. Immediately it began taunting her own, enticing it to come and play. Misao wrapped her arms around Saitou's neck, pulling him even closer as thier tongues dueled for dominance. Saitou's own hands were now aimlessly wandering from Misao's hips, up the trail of her backbone to squeeze her slender shoulders slightly before retracing the path back to her hips once more.

Suddenly, Saitou drew back, breaking the intense kiss. Turning his gaze immediately from her he scanned the treeline around them. Had he sensed someone watching them just now? He continued to glance a few moments longer until Misao slipped from his grasp, stood and quietly moved away from him. Convinced he had been mistaken, he turned back to Misao. She was now staring into the fire, absorbed in thought. He wondered what was happening with them. He had never felt this way before with her and he was certain she had not either. Yet, somehow, a fire had lit within them, pulling them closer and closer.

Saitou quietly observed Misao as she continued to stare into the fire, purposefully ignoring him. He was beginning to get tired of that. She'd done it to him before they had left the Aoyia that morning, and she was doing it now, despite the fact that they had been kissing passionately only moments before. No, she hadn't seem to have minded his attention at all. He recalled Shinomori's words, as he blatantly pointed out thier age difference. Yet, when she responded to him like she had, her age hadn't matter so much. He was beginning to feel that he might be able to put everything, including Tokio's ghost in the past. To move on. But with Misao? That question stood out above all else in his mind at the moment.

"What is this?"

The sound of MIsao's voice, brought Saitou back from the depth of his thoughts and he looked up. She was still standing before the crackling fire, gazing into it as it's light bathed her body in an orange glow that accented her form against the shadows of the darkened forest around them.

Arching a brow, Saitou looked at her questioningly. "What is what, minx."

Misao cut her eyes to glance at him for a moment, then refocused on the fire.

"This." She gestured between Saitou and herself. "What is it? There's something going on between us and it's....confusing. Almost frightening at times. I don't know what it is and I want to know." she replied.

"Whatever it is." He replied, patting down his clothes searching for his cigarettes. "It is."

Her lips quirked into a frown. "What kind of answer is that? I was trying to be serious."

He looked up to meet her gaze. "I'm perfectly serious." He decided to speak up again when she continued to look displeased. "Is it a bad thing?"

"Huh?" she asked, a bit confused by the question.

"Do you think it's a bad thing?"

Misao quickly opened her mouth to respond, then just as quickly closed it again, a look of uncertainty in her eyes. Was it a bad thing? she thought. Her mind immediately told her the obvious answer was yes. But there was something else--a feeling somewhere deep within her-- telling her that perhaps it wasn't so bad.

"No." she whispered softly. Looking toward the fire once more she refused to look at him directly as she added. "No, it's not a bad thing."

He shrugged his shoulders, drawing her attention. "Then, what's the problem?"

She sighed, narrowing her eyes. "Why do I bother talking to you?"

He grinned. "Something else you'd like to do?"

Misao scowled darkly, despite the blush that spread across her cheeks. Damn him. How does he do that? You would think that as much 'contact' as we've been having recently, a comment like that from him wouldn't phaze me. Right? She released a low growl as she turned her back on him.

"You wish." she muttered.

She heard him chuckle, but still refused to turn. Instead she concentrated on searching the expanse of darkened forest before her. What she was searching for exactly, she hadn't a clue, but it kept her occupied so as not to be tempted to look back in Saitou's direction. That was too dangerous a move to even contemplate at this point.

"Matter aside, I might as well tell you about your assignment now rather than later." Saitou broke the silence suddenly. "You'll be working with Koji, another officer of mine. Your assignment specifically is to monitor an old mill out on Blue Creek."

"An old mill?" She looked back, having forgotten she was avoiding his gaze, but his mind had clearly turned to work. "Hey, wait a minute! I thought I was supposed to be helping *you* in this mission. What will you be doing while I'm with this Koji person?" Misao glared, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Other things." His gaze turned away from her. "You'll be monitoring for shipping times specifically. I suspect that it's a sub-group of a massive drug ring that seems to have moved here from somewhere else."

"Huh?"

He shot her an impatient look. "A group with heavy foreign ties. I've been investigating it for a while now while I worked on other things. They seem to have been in connection with foreign criminal agents and are using them to expand the trade here in Japan."

A look of understanding took over the look of confusion on Misao's face and she nodded. "Right. Don't worry, Saitou, I won't let you down."

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

The next morning dawned, the sun rising to crest over the treetops and shine down on the campsite. Saitou roused, amber eyes opening slightly as he rolled over on his blanket. He took note of the smouldering ashes where the fire had burned out during the night. He then turned his gaze to the opposite side of their camp where Misao had slept, only to find an empty, crumpled blanket. He bolted upright from his own pallet immediately and scanned the surrounding area, but not a trace of the young ninja was to be seen. He listened, straightening, for some sign of her, but heard nothing but wildlife. It could be completely innocuous - she could've gone looking for food, or some water. Perhaps she'd just needed a few minutes alone, any number of possiblities assaulted him, so he waited.

Impatiently, he waited.

Several minutes passed and she did not arrive. Pushing off from the tree where he'd been leaning, he walked off toward where he suspected a river was. He'd traveled this area before, but it had been a long time. He rounded some shrubbery halting his feet when he heard the tell tale signs of water movement, and peered over a bush conspiratorially. The sight he beheld caused his eyes to widen. Misao had found water alright....a hotspring. A mischievious smirk played across Saitou's lips as he watched, unable to tear his eyes away from the tempting scene.

The little minx was currently standing hip-deep in a steamy water hole, dipping some into cupped hands, and bringing the naturally heated water up to let it cascade through her fingers and onto her chest. The rivulets of water ran over the mounds of her breasts, through the valley between to continue down her taut stomach to disappear back into the pool. Misao's hands followed the water, running an unconciously seductive trail down her chest and stomach as she reveled in her refreshing bath.

He shouldn't be watching her. He knew he shouldn't and after a moment he tore his eyes away and retreated to camp. He would wait for her there, but the image of her wouldn't fade in his mind. That, he suspected, he would have for a very long time. He sat, waiting for her, his mind continuously assaulted with flashes of smooth, wet skin. He shook the images away immediately as she finally emerged several minutes later. Dressed and clean, her hands were tangled in her long raven strands. He immediately scowled at her.

"Where were you?" He demanded, as though he didn't already know. As though he didn't have the image of her swimming in his head already.

He watched as her green eyes narrowed in frustration. "None of your business." She stated flatly, moving to sit on a nearby rock and proceeding to rebraid her damp hair.

A frown twisted onto his lips at the response. First thing in the morning and he was feeling sour and not even sure what exactly caused it. He turned his mind away from the matter. They needed to get moving. Maybe a little breakfast and they were off, the sooner the better. He just couldn't put off the restless feeling he had.

After eating, Saitou and Misao gathered their bedding and supplies before once again setting off for Tokyo. After they had walked a few miles however, Misao began to grow a bit edgy. A prickely sensation travelled up and down her spine, as if she were being watched, and she knew for a fact that it wasn't because Saitou was walking slightly behind her. She wondered briefly if Saitou had the same suspicions as herself, and decided to fall back a bit and find out. She unconspiciously slowed her steps so that Saitou eventually moved to walk beside her instead of behind. When she was close enough to talk to him without actually appearing to, she whispered her concern. Saitou didn't reply, only nodded his head slightly in order to tell her that he too had felt another presence.

She tensed, trying to mentally prepare herself for a battle. Who would be following them? She turned, her eyes darting in one direction as she heard an obvious rustle. She realized too late it was merely a diversion as a handful of darts suddenly rained upon them from the opposite direction. She barely had time to cough as she was suddenly knocked flat to the ground, air forced from her lungs as Saitou landed hard on top of her. She sputtered, trying to figure out what was going on, only to ascertain they were under attack.

"Watch it weasel." He scolded, voice hard as he rolled away, pulling up to his feet and darting into the foliage.

She heard the sounds of battle but it was an odd sound in her ear. What was she doing laying on the ground? She scolded herself and stood, reaching for her kunai. There was another behind her, stalking her in the bushes and probably more elsewhere, hidden away. Tracking the movement, Misao focused on where and when to throw her kunai. When she felt the time was right, Misao spun around, hurling her kunai into the shrubbery behind her. There was a sharp scream of pain and she knew her aim had been true. It was while she was congratulating herself that she felt a pair of arms encircle her from behind, effectively pinning her arms to her side and lifting her up so that her feet completely left the ground.

Damn it!

Misao immediately began struggling with her captor, bringing her legs back to collide with shins which brought forth pained male grunts near her ear. When she did not feel the hold loosen, she changed tactics. Bringing her head forward a bit, Misao then snapped it back sharply, allowing it to connect with the man's face. She quickly got the reaction she had wanted. The arms let go of her abruptly as they rose to cradle a now bleeding and possibly broken nose. Misao scrambled away the moment her feet touched the ground and spun to face her opponent, another set of kunai at the ready.

She leaned into a slight crouch wondering what to do as she stared at the man, holding his face. He was a scruffy creature, she noted. A bandit, she realized as she gazed over his haphazard apperance. Nothing new to her given her travels although she had usually managed to escape being surrounded by them like this. Of course, there was also Saitou although he was out of sight at the moment.

"Ah, you little bitch," he growled, reaching toward his waist drawing forth a sword. "You'll pay for that one."

He charged, huge feet stamping toward her and she narrowed her eyes. She was contemplating where to throw her kunai when the man gasped and through his chest she watched a blade thrust through his flesh. Blood ran down the tip of the blade, spattering to the ground. The bandit seemed to gurgle as though liquid were in his throat and moments later blood flowed from his mouth as he lurched forward, sword clattering to the ground. Behind him, Saitou came into view as he yanked his sword back.

Misao's eyes followed the strange man's body as it slipped to the ground, then snapped back up to stare incredulously at Saitou. Her eyes narrowed dangerously when, after Saitou had assured himself that there weren't anymore attackers, a slight smirk found its way onto his lips.

"You know weasel, it seems saving your rear end is beginning to become a habit."

Misao snorted at his words, "Oh sure! Well for your information Saitou, I could have taken care of that guy by myself!"

His wolfish eyes shone with a look that clearly said, "Yeah right".

Saitou chuckled lightly at her protests, wincing ever so slightly. Though he tried to cover it up, Misao noticed and she felt her annoyance fall away as another emotion filled her. Concern. She moved toward him, stepping over the body that lay sprawled between them. Reaching up she placed a hand on his left arm. He winced again and let out a sharp hiss. That was when she noticed that the blue uniform jacket was torn and bloody. He was hurt.

She moved her hands, sliding down to his wrists and attempted to pry the sword from his hands. He allowed his fingers to be opened and she dropped the sword carelessly to the ground and he stiffened as she did so, eyeing his fallen blade. She paid no mind to the sword however and instead set about pulling off his jacket. In another set of circumstances this would have been endlessly amusing but his arm was throbbing in pain and her jerky movements were only worsening things.

He growled at her and proceeded to attempt pulling the jacket off himself. Irritated, she grabbed the material and yanked hard pulling it off his uninjured limb and then her vehemence vanished as she carefully eased the material from the other arm. She pulled him down as he allowed himself to me momentarily fussed over. She paused a second to dig through her bag only to come up with a tattered piece of material he could only describe as a rag. What it was, he knew not.

"What is-"

"I keep it for wounds in my pack. I have a little tendency for getting into little scrapes so...that's why I kept this."

She took the material and paused. Water. She needed water. Rummaging through her pack once again, Misao withdrew a water pouch and proceeded to douse the rag with its contents. Setting aside the pouch, Misao then scooted back over and began dabbing at Saitou's injured arm, carefully wiping away the accumulated blood. Misao's attention was centered on doctoring Saitou's arm, Saitou however, was busy contemplating on who the band of men where that had attacked them and why. Intending for him not to horde all his thoughts to himself, Misao asked what she thought he was thinking, the identity of their attackers. He didn't immediately reply and for several minutes of silence while she tenderly cared for his wound she wondered if he'd even heard. Just as she was making way to wrap the cloth around the wound and bind it tight, he shifted.

"They appear the ordinary type for areas like these." He turned his gaze toward her nimble fingers wrapping the cloth around his arm. He still couldn't believe his luck. Some nameless thug had actually gotten a hit on him. He mentally shrugged it off, even worthless thieves had good days, he mused.

Sighing, Misao sat back to examine her handy work. It wasn't the best patch up job, she thought off-handedly, but it wasn't like she was Megumi or anything. Still kneeling in front of him, Misao looked up to find his gaze had settled back on her for the moment, an almost tender expression present.

"Thanks, weasel."

Misao's eyes widened as her jaw dropped slightly in surprise. Did Hajime Saitou just thank her? It was strange hearing the words directed at her, coming from a man that she had basically despised up until a few weeks ealier. She rather like the notion, a grateful Saitou, however foreign the idea seemed. She could almost imagine him smiling at her, but then realized she was taking her silly fantasy a bit far and drew back. Maybe... maybe just one of those sexy grins? Oh yeah...

She only realized her thoughts were carrying her away when she caught Saitou casting her a quizzical glance. Did he know what she was thinking? Just as she thought a blush was creeping it's way over her features he stood.

"We need to get this taken care of and move on. We're burning daylight. Stop sitting around, let's move."

Misao bristled where she sat, resisting the urge to glare. Maybe grateful wasn't the word she needed, she thought moodily, quickly packing away her things and rising to assist him.

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

TBC.....