Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Amber Horizons ❯ Chapter 10

- Chapter 10 -

Reluctant Partners

Grumbling as she went, Misao made her way back to the Kamiya dojo to change. As she walked, she picked absently at the clinging cloth of her ninja outfit. She glanced down, noticing for the first time how the clothes clung to her, almost like a second skin and she blushed deeply. Himura had seen her like this? Saitou had seen her like this?! Oh Kami-sama!

She hurried back into her room, sliding the shoji shut tightly behind her and leaned against it. One hand came up automatically to rest fingertips lightly on her lips. Saitou had kissed her. Again! Damn him for making her want him, it just wasn't fair!

For what seemed like the millionth time, Misao wondered about this strange attraction she had suddenly developed for the psycho cop. Where had it come from? More importantly, where was it leading? With a deep sigh, Misao shook her head and pushed away from the shoji, crossing the room to find some dry clothing to change into.

She pulled open her cabinet drawer and peered inside. Her clothing choices were actually quite limited. She preferred her ninja uniform - the soaked one she was currently wearing and didn't keep much else. She had her winter clothes and a formal kimono she never wore. It had actually been a gift one year and she hadn't the heart to throw it away, so it lie folded in her cabinet destined to be ignored.

She pulled open another drawer not finding what she wanted and grinned. There it was! It was nearly identical to the one she was currently wearing minus a few minor details. It was black - pure and dark. There were no shimmering highlights or any decorative features. It was plain and simple black. Black silk no less, it had been a ceremonial uniform once. Of course that had been until she'd taken it nearly apart pulling off all the fanciful decorations because they were girly and hindering. She put the thought aside and stripped off her wet clothes, dropping them in a heap on the floor. The clothes impacted with a wet slap against the tatami mat beneath her feet and she frowned.

She quickly dried off with a towel she kept and slipped on the black attire. She frowned again. She had loved this uniform once - long ago in her younger days. The days when she'd wanted to be just like her 'Aoshi-sama'. Since his abandonment however - she hadn't been able to bear looking at it. She kept her eyes away from herself and left the room. Saitou was bound to be in a prickly mood when she got there. She could already imagine him telling her she was late.*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

He was still standing where she had left him, waiting with arms crossed over his chest. "It's about time, weasel. I was beginning to wonder if you'd gotten lost."

Annoying, arrogant, man, she thought staring up at him, a downward turn to her lips. Being forced to wear her 'Aoshi-double' costume had put her in a sour mood and she brushed him off, stalking past him. "Shouldn't we be going?"

An eyebrow quirked in curiosity, Saitou decided not to reply. Instead he turned and followed behind the retreating girl. Big mistake.

It first struck him that the outfit seemed familiar to one he'd seen before. He'd pinned it immediately to being similar to Shinomori's outfit. Then she'd stalked past him. It looked nothing like Shinomori's on Misao. Her shorts seemed too small and tight. The cloth tucked and belted at her waist pulling the material firm over her slim frame. He had no idea the Oniwabanshuu uniform could look so...good.

He was tempted. Oh, but he was tempted sorely to make a sarcastic remark. But he knew in the back of his mind that if he did, she would more than likely go back to the dojo and change again. And for some odd reason he found he did not want her to. He actually liked seeing her like this. It was just so....Misao. So instead, Saitou resolved in following--as well as admiring--Misao's lovely form as she lead the way back to headquarters.

She walked ahead of him the entire way with scarcely a word passed between them. It felt unusual, but he didn't say anything. Ahead of him Misao walked keeping her back stiff. It was not difficult to do with him watching her. She knew he was watching her. She could feel it like a caress up her spine. She finally reached the police building in town. She swept inside and headed without word to the staff within - to Saitou's office. She pushed inside without word and halted abruptly.

Someone else was in the office. A young man was sitting in one of the chairs, the back of his head to the door, idly gazing out the window. He wore a uniform similar to Saitou's and the thought that he was one of Saitou's men instantly entered Misao's mind. Then the man turned to glance at the door. Misao couldn't stop the gasp of surprise as she recognized the little prick who had insulted her yesterday, outside of the Kamiya dojo.

"You?!" She practically shouted in disbelief.

She would be working with....with....him?! Not if she had anything to say about it! Misao quickly spun, intending to march right back out the door. He hasty retreat was thwarted, however, when she ran smack into the solid wall that was Saitou's chest. She was momentarily stunned as his hands came up to rest on her shoulders, steadying her. She peerd up at him blankly before she regained her senses and scowled.

"I am not working with him. You can't make me, I absolutely refuse!"

Saitou didn't respond right away. He simply spun her around by her shoulders and gave a small shove into the office. Following closely behind, he closed the door behind them in order to cut off her escape route.

"It's fortunate then you don't have the option of picking your partner." He paused stepping past her and moving to the desk. He turned a smirk her direction. "That's my job."

"No." Misao stated, more forcefully this time. "I will not work with that jerk, Saitou!" Pointing an accusing finger at Koji.

At this the formerly silent male shot to his feet. "I refuse to be insulted. I haven't done the slightest-"

"Shut up," Saitou quickly cut off Koji's protest. "Sit down."

The young man looked, for a moment, startled and then immediately sat. Saitou turned his glare toward the wild young woman.

Misao shook her head and continued. "I won't! No. Way. There's no way in hell you can make me! None!"

"And just why are you so reluctant to work with Koji, weasel?" Saitou asked evenly, eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Misao immediatly clammed up. She couldn't possibly tell him what Koji had said about her...about her body. It was just too humiliating, not to mention flat out embarassing. Instead, Misao simply stared at her feet whilst worrying her lower lip agitation.

"I don't need to give you a reason, you just need to accept it!" she grumbled.

He frowned at her, and that was it. The battle was over. She had lost. Saitou would not be swayed without something more substantial than her hissy fit. She sighed heavily. Since she was not willing to divulge the ugly details she would just have to bear it. She suddenly couldn't wait to get back to Kyoto.*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The briefing was over. Misao could at least be happy about that. She was just relieved to be out of the office and away from Koji, though the thought of having to begin her assignment with him early the next morning dampened that quite thoroughly.

Deciding she didn't feel like getting stared at the whole way back, she walked behind Saitou as he escorted her back to the dojo. Why he had felt he needed to do this, she had no idea. But he had insisted, and she didn't really feel like arguing. As they neared the dojo, Misao ran ahead so that she could enter first. She opened the front door to the dojo and was promptly greeted by a smiling Kenshin.

Saitou watched her run ahead. She was being strangely quiet. Had the prospect of working with Koji upset her that much? Surely it had to be something else. The thought lingered as he approached where Misao was currently beaming at the Battousai. Koji promptly disappeared from his thoughts as he quite boldly interupted them. The Battousai was entirely too close to her, had the man no sense of decency? Saitou frowned stepping forward.

"Battousai," he growled.

"Saitou." Kenshin returned the greeting evenly, staring up slightly at the taller man.

Misao looked from one man to the other, not quite knowing what to do. She knew the animosity between them was high, but there was something else that seemed to be sparking a building tension. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea if Saitou didn't remain for too much longer, she thought, quickly seeing a hint of amber within the rurouni's violet gaze as well as the agitated tick in Saitou's tightly clenched jaw.

"So, Himura!" Misao exclaimed, drawing Kenshin's attention toward her and away from the glowering Wolf at the door. "What's for supper? I'm starved!"

"Oro...Misao-dono, I had hoped you would accompany me out to eat this evening, that I did." Kenshin smiled politely.

Misao's eyes brightened considerably. "Really?! That's great, Himura! It's been awhile since I've had the chance to do that!"

It was at this point that Saitou spoke up. "You're going to wear that to a restaurant?" he nodded, indicating the skimpy outfit that had caused him such distraction earlier.

He regretted saying anything when he realized he'd inadvertantly brought the Battousai's attention to it as well, if the blush that was deepening the red-head's cheeks was any indication. Misao blushed as well. Was he determined to find something wrong with everything she chose to wear?

"For your information, Saitou, no I'm not. I actually have the perfect outfit in mind to wear." she stated, a mischevious look coming to her eye. Turning to Kenshin she said, "Hey Himura, give me a second, would you? I'm gonna go change."

Kenshin nodded. "Of course, Misao-dono, go right ahead. Sessha will wait here for you, that I will."

"Great!" Misao beamed brightly at the rurouni before casting another glower at Saitou--which he returned--before practically skipping back to her room.

Saitou all but growled, keeping his eyes turned in the direction she'd gone. She was purposely being this way! Damn her.

Who did she think she was to tease him this way? The little minx. He fought the twisting of his lips into a devious smile. Next time, he thought. Next time he would make her regret rousing his jealousy.

He did not like competition and he considered her his quarry. He certainly wasn't about to be competing for her attention with anyone, least of all the Battousai.

He turned his unpleasant stare toward the man in question. "Where are you taking her?"

Kenshin smiled. "Just into town. Misao-dono has seemed a bit downcast, that she has. I figured she would like to get out a little."

"That all?"

Kenshin looked up. "Oro?"

"Is that the only place you're taking her? Then straight back here?"

Kenshin was clearly puzzled. "Well, generally, I suppose yes. But I do not see how it is any of your concern, Saitou."

"Becoming a bit forgetful, are we, Battousai? I mentioned before that I borrowed the weasel from Shinomori on the promise I return her safely." Saitou replied, lips thinned into a frown. "And that is exactly what I intend on doing."

Kenshin twitched ever so slightly, but refused to rise to the obvious taunt. "As you will, I am sure. But Saitou, you have no reason to be concerned for Misao-dono's welfare while in my company, that you do not."

Saitou scoffed. "That's debatable," he shot back with a definite frown, one that didn't abate when Misao fluttered into the room donning a sweet smile aimed at Kenshin.

"Okay, I'm ready Himura!" she said brightly, then immediately frowned when she looked at Saitou. "Oh. You're still here?" she narrowed her eyes as she spoke.

His frown deepened, eyes narrowing upon her. Without further word he turned his back to them and left. What was this? Was she going to taunt and tease with every male she came across in his presence? If so, how was he going to handle it?

Furthermore, why was it so damn uncomfortable? He felt struck. He couldn't have been more stunned had Misao landed a powerful physical blow against him that left him shaken. Her overt flirting with the Battousai was...stinging. He kept his eyes on the path not seeing the girl who'd fled to the doorway to watch him go.

Misao felt horrible, plain and simple. How could she have done that? To actually flirt with Himura like that in front of Saitou? It...it was...totally uncalled for. Despite all his taunts and teasings, Saitou hadn't really deserved what she had just done to him. Not in the least. Sighing heavily, Misao resolved to apologize to him first thing when she went to report in the following evening.

Kenshin watched Misao watch Saitou's retreating back, his look of confusion gradually clearing up as realization dawned. Had Misao-dono been trying to....make Saitou jealous? By flirting with him? He didn't know if he should be amused or outright horrified. Misao and Saitou? Saitou and Misao? Those two names just didn't register as a couple for the rurouni. But as he stood there, watching the girl he had come to respect and revere as a friend, he could tell she felt bad about her previous actions.

Misao masked her soft sigh of regret, and turning to Kenshin with a soft smile, called out to him that she was ready to go. The rurouni shook his head as she bound out of the dojo ahead of him. Smiling lightly, he followed soon after.*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Misao woke early and sat through breakfast with Kenshin. She was being unusuall quiet and she knew he was worried about it. She couldn't help but be unhappy - who wanted to spend the whole day with a jerk like Koji anyway? She frowned.

She left earlier than she'd originally intended walking unhappily toward town. She stopped suddenly when she realized something vitially important. She didn't know where Blue Creek was, or where exactly she was supposed to be going.

Had she forgotten? Did Saitou say? She couldn't remember. Just as she was about to head back and see if Kenshin knew where the elusive Blue Creek was, a scuffle drew her attention. She turned cautiously, hand sliding up behind her to reach for her kunai. Her eyes narrowed as she scanned her surroundings.

There was another shift and she reacted before thinking, tossing her kunai. She watched them embed themselves in a tree and the a figure emerged, hands held up defensively.

"Hey, hey, no need to get violent!" She scowled as she came face to face with a smiling Koji.

"You! What do you think you're doing, baka!? I could have killed you just now!" Misao practically screeched, she was *not* in the mood for this.

"Worried about me, are you?" Koji asked, a mysterious smirk playing across his lips.

"You wish." Misao shot back, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

Koji sighed. "So, I take it you don't know the way to Blue Creek, do you." Misao detected a hint of amusement in Koji's voice that ever so subtly grated on her nerves.

"I do so!" she objected quickly, which only served to make Koji's eyebrows raise a bit.

"Oh. Is that so? Well, by all means..lead on McDuff." Koji said, his smug smirk remaining intact.

Misao paused and scratched her head. Had he just called her McDuff? What was a McDuff? Was that a name? Was it some kind of foreign insult? Should she be smacking him? She wasn't sure.

He watched her for a moment before breaking into a howl of laughter. "Oh, you should see the look on your face!"

She frowned, her confusion dimming as her anger grew. How dare he laugh at her! She was just about to lay into him with a verbal retort when he began talking again.

"It's from a play," he explained. "A foreign man lived at my house when I was young and he loved to read these plays by this man called 'Shakespeare'. All very interesting but I remember very little of them anymore."

She stared at him, not sure what to think of this strange character. He however just turned and began walking off.

"Come on, let's get down there before the iron gruff shows up and says we're slacking off."

She watched him go before determining she didn't want to lose sight of him or else she'd get lost, so she scampered along behind him.*~*~*~*~*~*~*