Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Amber Horizons ❯ Chapter 9: To Face the Truth ( Chapter 9 )

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.

Distribution: Fanfiction.net, Mediaminer.org and my Yahoo group For the Love of Misao, a group for alternate Misao pairings!

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

Chapter 9: To Face the Truth

The following morning, Misao awoke to a pleasant aroma wafting into her room. Smiling to herself, she rose from her futon and dressed quickly before allowing her nose to lead her to the origin of the delicious smell -- the kitchen.

That is where she found Kenshin, who was occupied as he busily prepared breakfast. It appeared that he had not yet noticed her presence and so Misao watched him for a moment before a mischevious glint appeared in her eyes. She smiled to herself as she carefully began to creep up behind the rurouni who was at the moment adding the daikon radishes he'd just chopped to the concoction he was preparing.

Kenshin couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from twitching as he fought the smile threatening to emerge. Even as busy as he was preparing breakfast, he could not miss the bold, and sneaky ki that was presently creeping up behind him. He patiently waited...silently counting to himself...

Three....two.....one.

"What'cha cooking, Himura?!"

Following along, so as not to disappoint his friend, Kenshin feigned surprise as he spun around to face a happily grinning Misao.

"Oh, Misao-dono, you startled me, that you did." He smiled. "I trust you slept well last night?"

Misao's smile faded a bit. She had slept nicely enough, though she had to admit she had missed Saitou's presence. She had become accustomed to hearing the sounds from across the campfire of Saitou as he shifted on his bed roll. It wasn't together all that explainable, just the very fact that Saitou had been there when they were camping out. He had such a... tangible presence. It was beyond words, she thought, but blinked herself awake as she realized Himura was giving her a concerned look.

"Did you sleep well, Misao-dono?" the rurouni repeated his question.

"Ano...fine. I slept very well, Himura. Thank you." Misao covered, then quickly changed the subject. "Mmm, is that Miso soup? It smells really good."

Kenshin gave Misao one last look of concern before turning back to the simmering pot, nodding. "That it is, Misao-dono. I know how much you like it and thought you would appreciate some this morning, that I did."

Misao smiled brightly, though the rurouni could not see it with his back turned to her as it was. "That's so sweet, Himura. Thanks!"

Kenshin looked over his shoulder and returned Misao's smile with one of his own. "You are quite welcome, Misao-dono. Now please, won't you sit down? The soup is nearly done, that it is."

Misao's happy squeal was almost child-like as she spun around and practically skipped over to the dining table, sitting down at one of the places Kenshin had already set. A few moments later, the two were sharing the meal as well as pleasant conversation. More like Misao talked while Kenshin alternated between listening to her tales of adventure and wondering just *what* it was that Misao wasn't telling him about herself and Saitou.

It bothered him. Worse still, it bothered him that it bothered him. Of course, Misao was his friend and he worried for her, though he didn't particularly care for Saitou. And then there was the tension that was so thick between the two of them yesterday that he could have cut it with the dull edge of his sakabatou. Yes, there was definitely something there....the question was, what?

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

Saitou stared down at his desk, trying to recall where he had placed the file on that last case when the door opened abruptly.

"You called for me, Sir?"

Saitou's eyes snapped up, quickly taking in the draped figure in the doorway. What was it about this kid? He was never... kempt. He frowned, regarding the circles under Koji's eyes and wrinkled uniform. Undisciplined kids, probably drank himself under the table, Saitou thought bitterly.

"You're late," he growled, returning his mind to the task of finding the folder.

Koji stepped inside, closing the door quietly then stood in front of the desk awkwardly, not bothering to repress a lazy yawn.

"Sit." Saitou ordered, tempting to make the kid stand but he was wavering slightly from side to side as though he were dizzy or half asleep and it was annoying him.

Koji gratefully fell into a western style chair behind him, staving off another yawn, but having the sense to look shameful about it.

"Things with the Blue Creek mission are intensifying." Saitou began. "You're being assigned to stake out duty of the old building up on the Blue Creek - sunrise to sunset. At dusk you'll be relieved."

"That it?"

Saitou glowered, not liking that clipped tone. "No... Because you're incompetent you're being assigned a partner. You'll be meeting Makimachi Misao - one of my agents - in the morning at the site. You will both remain there and file separate reports."

Koji's eyes seemed to come alive then as the young man sat up straight in his chair.

"Really? I mean...that's great, sir. Er, what I meant to say was..."

"Can it, Koji. Just be prepared to go in the morning and pay attention. Do not fail, you got me?" Saitou's eyes narrowed dangerously. This case was extremely important to the department....to him.

The young man stood up immediately and snapped to attention. "Yes, sir." He replied.

Saitou nodded to the young man, indicating that he was dismissed and the rookie left the office quickly, leaving Saitou to his work. It was sometime later, after everything had been signed or filed away, that Saitou decided he needed to check up on his "agent". After all, he *had* promised Shinomori he'd keep an eye on her. Honestly, how was he expected to do that when she was holed up in that dojo with the Battousai? Shaking his head, Saitou lit up a cigarette before rising from his desk and exiting his office.

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

The walk wasn't a long one and it was good to get out of his office. He had always thought fresh air did people good and the Kamiya dojo was relatively near so he reached it remarkably quickly. The gate was open and so he stepped through with all the confidence of ownership and peered around. Nothing but stony silence greeted him. Where was that girl?

Saitou did not bother to knock for he didn't want to alert them he was there just yet. Stepping in, he finally heard sounds of life - and immediately frowned at just what sounds they were. Laughter. Misao's no less.

He headed toward her tinkling voice as she exclaimed. "Oh, I'll get you for that!"

He headed around a corner, exiting into the backyard just in time to get clobbered by a sopping wet... cloth? He glanced down at the front of his uniform which had taken a direct hit and now had a large wet spot darkening the material. His golden eyes then trailed down to look at the soaked fabric lying innocently at his feet before looking back up at the two figures who had come to the abrupt awareness of his presence. Kenshin merely smiled while Misao looked thoroughly embarassed.

Saitou's jaw clenched as he took in the sight before him. There stood Battousai in the middle of the dojo's back yard, hakama thoroughly drenched and wet, strands of red hair clinging to his cheeks. His right arm, which had been drawn back in preparation to launch another soaked cloth, lowered as he turned to look at Saitou. However, that wasn't what had Saitou's attention. His attention was actually on the blushing woman standing a few feet from Kenshin, her normal ninja apparel soaked, the heaviness of the water causing the material to cling to her body in an even more indecent way.

Forcing a frown to replace the embarassed look on her face, Misao shifted uncomfortably under Saitou's gaze. She placed her hands behind her back and bit her bottom lip worryingly as she cast glances between the still smiling rurouni and the glowering Saitou. Kenshin didn't move, though he had an extremely amused expression on his face.

Not amused in the least, Saitou merely continued to glare at them. At least, he did until he heard Misao's ineffectually stifled giggles. Turning his glare from the Battousai back to the little minx who had thrown the wet cloth--albeit not intentionally--at him, he gave her a sour look. Saitou could not see the humor in the least and continued to glare.

Kenshin, on the other hand, could see the humor plainly and was trying his hardest not to laugh; his whole body practically shook with the mirth he was concealing. Seeing that the one time hitokiri was actually enjoying this debacle at his expense, Saitou practically growled as he turned back to the red-haired man.

"I do not see what is so funny about this, Battousai."

As if his words were the trigger, both Kenshin and Misao broke into all out laughter, causing Saitou to once again growl in frustration. This seemed to sober the giggling pair up, for they both quit laughing and Misao immediately began to apologize. Kenshin looked from the stammering Misao to the still fuming Saitou.

"Ano.....you wanted something, Saitou?" Kenshin asked, interrupting Misao as she continued to stammer.

Saitou gave them one last, hard look and turned away without a word. He left them staring, wondering at his sudden appearance and then departure. To think he was expecting to find something mundane. Sipping soup or the Battousai doing laundry - yet he walks in on a water fight and Misao barely decent. Her clothes seemed to be begging to be pulled off with the weight of the water plastering it to her skin like it was.

Damn Battousai, he thought irritably. Why hadn't he arranged for her to stay at an inn in town? That would have been the sensible thing to do. Of course he wasn't expecting that Kamiya girl to be away either.

The sound of feet crunching on the half gravel path alerted him to her presence more quickly than the feel of her ki. His lips quirked up into a smirk. Running after him, was she?

"Saitou- wait!" She called out ineffectively.

He had no intentions of stopping. At least, not until she was a lot closer. She ran to catch up and stood in front of him as though she could actually physically stop him from going any further.

"Hold on!" she exclaimed, looking a bit miffed.

He sneered. "Leaving your playmate already?"

Misao flushed slightly but looked more angry than anything. Why would a little thing like her being in a water fight with Himura make Saitou act this way? Why had he acted strangely yesterday when he had learned she would be staying at the dojo while Kaoru was gone? Saitou couldn't be jealous...could he?

Then it hit her. Her eyes widened as the thought entered her mind. He is, she thought, a shocked expression spreading across her face. Saitou raised an eyebrow as he stared down at her.

"You're jealous." Misao stated in an awed voice as she returned his look.

Saitou's eyes narrowed dangerously, but inwardly he flinched. "No. I'm. Not." He growled before brushing past her and continuing to walk away. He suddenly didn't feel like talking.

"Yes. You are." she stated once more, her surprise turning to amusement. A goofy grin appeared on her face as she follow his retreating back.

"You're crazy, weasel." He growled once again, not bothering to look behind him and in doing so totally missed the "yeah right" expression that passed over Misao's still grinning face.

"What's the matter, Saitou? Don't want to face the truth?"

Saitou spun around so quickly that Misao wound up slamming into his broad chest. She stumbled back a bit to find him looking at her oddly. It was a mixture of confusion, anger and..... something else. Something that Misao couldn't name. They stood there for a moment before Saitou's eyes absently left her face to wander down to her still soaked uniform.

The intensity of his stare made her tremble, or was that the passing wind chilling her skin beneath the water logged clothes? She couldn't tell and he didn't seem to care. His mouth turned down into a frown. Naturally she would have to prance around in those clothes, wouldn't she? He wasn't sure if he wanted to reach out and touch the wrinkled, wet material or step away from her to avoid the temptation.

Damn Battousai. This was somehow all his fault. Getting her wet this way. His frown deepened and she shifted nervously under his gaze crossing her arms over her chest but did not raise her voice in question.

His eyes rose above her wet clothing to center on her face, eyes tracing over her lips as she stared at him in question. Suddenly though she shifted, and he looked up, meeting her eyes. She seemed suddenly enlightened and drew her arms behind her clasping them as she began to sway slightly.

"Ah, I see what your problem is now." She proclaimed, her unease gone. "I'm just too irresistible. You can barely even think around me, can you?" She grinned cockily at him, continuing to sway like a silly youth.

The look on his face changed again, but she was given no time to analyze or react to the swift alteration. He seemed to suddenly swoop down upon her like a predator, one hand wrapping around the back of her neck, fingers resting up at the base of her skull. The world felt unsteady as his lips sealed against hers in a startlingly passionate kiss. She could feel the sensuous slide of his tongue against her closed lips.

Startled as she was by the abrupt action, she hesitated to respond, but all too soon found herself surrendering to the warm prodding of his tongue. Her lips parted to allow him to deepen the kiss even more as well as to allow a soft moan to escaped. The sound seemed to be what Saitou had been waiting for because at that moment he stood back. He released her, staring down as though they'd never touched but the intensity of his gaze remained.

"Now who can barely think, minx?" A triumphant smirk appeared on his lips. Saitou took in the dazed expression on the young ninja's face before his own face turned serious once again. "Go change. We have work to do." His tone was clipped and sharp. It was not a request, he was all but demanding to be obeyed.

Misao could only nod slowly before turning as she retreated back to the dojo to change.

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

TBC....