Title: Predawn
Author: Royal blueKitsune
Summary: He couldn't remember the reasons for accepting to do this...(gift!fic for Linay)
Genre: General/Implied Romance
Warnings: none
Words: 350
The weasel was being entirely impossible. Then again, was there ever a time she was anything else but persistent, annoying, scrawny and loud-mouthed? He tried to tell himself that there wasn't. That she wasn't compelling and intriguing…
Saitou allowed himself a muted sigh, hidden by the shadows of the predawn that slowly seeped away from the dojo, and a fleeting thought of lighting a cigar…before pushing himself off the wall and towards the center of the room. Where Makimachi was supposedly trying to do a movement he had demonstrated for her only moments before. It looked awkward and dangerous – more likely for an unsuspecting viewer to find himself target of a flying weapon than for her to succeed anytime soon.
Saitou wondered what had ever possessed him to consider her offer, even as he slipped behind her to correct her posture and guide her through the set of steps she was butchering. Rarely, in his long life, had he accepted to train anyone. There was no use bothering himself with fools and simpletons who couldn't see the difference between a katana and a kitchen knife.
Accepting the weasel's offer – money was not important to him as he was not lacking – meant that he actually held her in more regard that he wanted to admit. And vice versa, as she had bypassed Shinomori's experience in his favor.
Such thoughts were unsettling for a man who planned his life thoroughly. He had given up figuring his own intentions after the first two months of teaching Makimachi…Misao the basics of swordplay and whatnot.
Now he didn't bother to ask himself why he felt so comfortable with her body against his, pretended he did not notice her flushed cheeks or the half-hearted remarks that didn't quite sound like the rambunctious ball of energy she could sometimes be.
"I don't need your help you stubborn wolf." The admonishment was fonder than it was serious.
"Foolish weasel. You will hurt yourself if you keep on swinging like an idiot." That almost sounded like concern coming from him.
It was disturbing to consider just how much things had changed with the passing of time.