"But, now I know she never was and never will be, you're not real and you can't save me. And somehow now you're everybody's fool…" - Evanescence (Everybody's Fool)

Jasmine: Okay, since I haven't done a songfic in forever, this one will have a song in it just because it can. It's Everybody's Fool by Evanescence, and I don't own it. I also don't own Rurouni Kenshin, and look…up in the sky! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's the next chappie!

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The Difference Between Love And Loathing - Chapter Seven: Breakdown

(With Saito and Misao at the ninja's house, March 18, 2005…8:05 p.m.)

The time had zoomed by so fast for Misao; she hadn't even noticed the clock until Tae suddenly glanced out the nearest window and squeaked that she had to get going. Chou had left not long after her, grumbling crossly under his breath about evil hair-attacking women and that his job didn't pay enough for the stuff he had to go through. The ninja couldn't help but giggle at that (albeit a bit nervously, because now she was alone with Saito once more). Poor Chou-kun…the waitress would probably be attacking him a lot more in the days to come, for Misao planned to do something with the four of them together again. It had been fun, just hanging out. Tae and her strange little quirks, Chou and his big mouth, even Saito with his…eh…sarcasm…

After the two Kansai folk left, the wolf and the weasel decided that they both had had enough of the mall and went directly home. Saito insisted on driving (as if the itachi didn't know how, sheesh! The arrogant ass was probably afraid she'd kill them both, or something) and they made it back to the house without too much of a glitch. The only truly bad thing about the ride was the huge awkward silence that stretched between them for the first fifteen minutes, in which Misao kept stealing glances at his stony profile and idly wondered if he'd say anything. He didn't, and she settled on twiddling her thumbs, which resulted in the wolf snarling at her in annoyance.

But Misao wasn't about to take any of that from him sitting down, and so…another fight ensued (mostly on the weasel's part, though, as the wolf could only say a few words between the breaks in her screaming). It lasted until they made it to the front porch of the ninja's house, where Saito abruptly ended it by disappearing through the door and into the living room before Misao had time to retort.

"H-HEY! COME BACK HERE, YOU BASTARD! YOU'RE THE WORST BODYGUARD ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET, I HOPE YOU KNOW!" She fumed, angrily stalking after him with her fists clenched tightly to her side. The nerve of that accursed man! What was his problem, anyway? Surely he could have at least attempted to strike up a conversation with her!

Saito, meanwhile, was nearly failing to keep his utter exasperation with the weasel under wraps. Yelling at her was sorely tempting, but he vehemently decided against it. Letting his emotions get the best of him wasn't something he did very often, and for good reason, too…

He sighed quietly and raked a hand back through his ebony hair, growling slightly under his breath as his bangs flopped forward to tickle his chin. How the hell was he going to live with this girl for whatever amount of time it took to capture The Akuma? Surely he'd perish before the end! The mere thought caused him to snicker quietly to himself. In fact, he could see it now on the headlines of various newspapers: Saito Hajime, homicide detective of the Third (hint, hint) Precinct, was killed today by one Makimachi Misao, weasel-girl-to-rule-them-all, queen-of-the-exploding-soba, and payback-expert-extraordinaire. Reports claim that the death wasn't intentional, as it was inevitable that Saito would die from sheer aggravation by the itachi's constant temper-tantrums.

The wolf sighed again and gracefully sat down upon Misao's burgundy couch, grateful for a bit of a rest after strolling around that stupid mall all day. The squishy, oversized cushions of that particular piece of furniture were especially nice to the touch, and felt soft and silky under his hands. She definitely had money, that was certain…he'd never be able to pay for something as nice as this with the wages he was receiving now. Oh, and speaking of Misao…

The ninja abruptly stormed into the room (looking only a bit flustered), crossed her arms, set her legs shoulder-width apart, and glared heatedly down at Saito with a rage that would send even the bravest of men into a bought of hysterical tears if it were fixed upon them. It didn't, however, faze the wolf in any way, and he merely raised an eyebrow at her, which (if at all possible) infuriated the girl even more.

"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, HUH?"

Saito rolled his eyes and crossed his own arms, now wishing that he had instead retreated into their shared bedroom to get away from the huge argument that he was sure would be brewing in the next…five minutes, or so. "Look, itachi…just drop it. This has been a long day, and I'm in no mood for one of your tantrums, at the moment," he stated in a monotone voice, carefully making sure that it was devoid of any emotion that he was feeling at the moment. He shrugged off his jacket and draped it haphazardly over the back of the couch, propped his feet up on the coffee table in front of him, and closed his amber eyes, trying to block the sound of the seething weasel from his senses. "…And stop staring at me like that…it's annoying…"

Misao growled furiously and was just about to rejoinder, but was rudely cut off when the doorbell rang. "…Dammit…who the hell could that be?" She threw the wolf another fiery glare before exiting the room and making her way back to the front door. Really…who could it be? It certainly wasn't Tae, for she was most definitely at her other job. Nor was it Chou, as he hadn't been told the ninja's address, yet. So…that only left one other person…

(Perfect by nature…)

The weasel reached the door and flung it open happily (nearly threw it off its hinges, the poor door) and squeaked loudly with joy upon seeing her beloved man. "AOSHI-SAMA!"

(Icons of self-indulgence)

Shinomori Aoshi grunted slightly and nearly toppled over when he was glomped by the perky, overly happy ninja-girl. "…Aa…Misao-mine." His voice still retained the detached tone that it had had the day before, but Misao either didn't seem to notice, or just didn't care. She was simply happy to see her Aoshi again…even if she did have to explain her strange new situation to him. That wouldn't be easy…

(Just what we all need)

After hearing the commotion and the squealed exclamation, Saito had opted to drag himself from the coziness of the couch and follow the itachi to the door. He stayed partially out of sight, however, and leaned back against the sky-colored wall with a bit of agitation. This man obviously wasn't an intruder, with the way Misao was…hugging him. In fact, he was probably her boyfriend. Humph. Stupid, idiotic girl…

The wolf hastily stopped himself, eyes widening fractionally with confusion. Why the hell was he caring so much? This wasn't right…not at all. He shouldn't be fazed by something as trivial as this. After all, it was none of his business about whom the itachi chose to date.

(More lies about a world that…)

…Right?

"Oh, I missed you so much, Aoshi-sama!" And then the weasel did something completely and utterly impulsive (in fact, it even startled Aoshi): she gave the ice block a big old smooch on the lips. Not a peck, nor a kiss, but a smooch. Maybe even a sah-mooch, what with the fact that it was so intense, poor Shinomori was almost once again brought backwards to the cold, hard ground.

(…Never was, and never will be)

Saito blinked at the floundering ice block, frowning slightly despite himself. Sheesh, the itachi acted as though she hadn't seen the man in years. She could at least have some decency…after all, she did have an audience…even if she hadn't realized it, yet.

(Have you no shame, don't you see me?)

Aoshi staggered back a few feet before managing to successfully right himself. He reached forward and gripped Misao's shoulders firmly in each hand, then roughly pulled her off of him. "…Aa…Misao-mine, I came here to…tell you something fast, as I must be off…" Strange, there seemed to be a presence nearby. He ignored the way the weasel's face fell, and gazed around the corner of the open doorframe. Why was there a man in her house…?

(You know you've got everybody fooled)

Misao sadly followed those beautiful blue eyes of his to their destination: the wolf. She sighed deeply, not relishing what was to come next. "I guess I have some explaining to do, Aoshi-sama," she idly beckoned Saito forward with one hand, then set the other on her denim-clad hip. "Y-you know…of The Akuma, right? Well…umm…I g-got a note, you see…from h-him…and…he's after me, Aoshi-sama…"

(Look, here she comes now…)

The detective growled quietly to himself. So, he hadn't been as concealed as he had initially thought. He stepped out of "hiding", lazily strolled over to the weasel, and fixed Shinomori with a glare, mentally sizing him up. Anyone could be a potential enemy, after all…and even if he was forced to be Misao's bodyguard, he wasn't going to do a shabby job of it.

(Bow down and stare in wonder)

Shinomori was clothed in a large, off-white white trench coat with an equally white sash tied in the front to keep it closed. Black gloves covered his hands, and a thin, deep-blue scarf was wrapped elegantly around his neck, nearly matching the color of his eyes. The man made Saito feel very plain, for he was only wearing a tight black T-shirt and a pair of black jeans.

(Oh, how we love you!)

"…Aa…I believe I understand…but tell me, Misao-mine…who exactly is this?" Aoshi crossed his arms in front of his chest and eyed the wolf frigidly, already not liking his first impression of the man. Those amber, wolfish eyes of his were too calculating, too hard-edged…

Misao jumped a little, startled by the steel in Aoshi's voice. "O-oh, him? This is S-Saito Hajime, m-my…bodyguard," she stuttered out, nervously wringing her hands together. She glanced back and forth between the two men, silently contemplating why they were looking at each other with such…ice. Hmm…Aoshi-sama's not taking this very hard…isn't he worried about me? I mean…he could show a little concern…

(No flaws when you're pretending)

"Hn…you don't need to introduce me, itachi…I believe I can handle it," Saito sauntered forward and held out a hand to the ice block, smirking broadly. "As the weasel has already stated, my name is Saito Hajime, and I am a homicide detective from the Third Precinct. My chief has assigned me to protect Misao from The Akuma, so you needn't worry…she's in very capable hands." The smirk stretched into a mocking grin.

(But, now I know she…)

Shinomori's eyes narrowed slightly, but he took the hand and shook it, releasing it almost immediately afterwards as if it were a snake. "…Aa…Shinomori Aoshi. It's…a pleasure to meet you…" With the frosty manner he had said it, it really was not a compliment in any shape, way, or form.

"W-well, now that all the introductions and whatnot are done, umm…why'd ya' wanna see me, Aoshi-sama? N-not that I'm complaining, or anything!"

(…Never was, and never will be)

"…I'd prefer it if we were alone, Misao-mine…" He glared pointedly at Saito.

The wolf rolled his eyes in exasperation. "I'm not going anywhere, Shinomori. Leaving the itachi alone isn't something I'm really allowed to do. Hence the whole bodyguard title," he leaned back against the nearest wall and pulled his cigarettes from his pocket. "Go ahead and talk with her, if you must…but I stay." There was a small hissing noise as he lit a match and set the end of the nicotine-stick aflame, then inhaled deeply.

Aoshi blankly stared at the man, successfully hiding his distaste and frustration from him. "…Aa…fine, then," he turned away and set a hand gently upon one of Misao's shoulders, knowing that what he was about to say would crush the poor little thing. "…Misao-mine…"

The weasel grinned widely up at him with utter adoration and rested her own hand on top of his, softly caressing his wrist through the glove. I wonder what he wants to say to me…maybe he'll tell me that he loves me! Ha! In your face, Tae-chan! Her heartbeat quickened in anticipation. "Yeah, Aoshi-sama?"

"…We're through…"

(You don't know how you've betrayed me!)

Well, she most definitely hadn't been expecting that. 'I love you', would have been amazing. Or even, 'I might be falling for you' could have sufficed. But this…surely it was some kind of…of joke! "Wh-what?" She felt empty inside, her heart crumbling to pieces even as the seconds went by.

(And somehow you've got everybody fooled…)

"…I apologize, Misao-mine, but I cannot do this anymore. I'm breaking up with you."

The itachi stared at him in total and complete shock; mind not able to comprehend the horrible truth that her traitorous ears were hearing. "N-no…but…b-but Aoshi-sama…" Her voice trembled horribly, not capable of forming the words that she so desperately wished to say, to plead…anything to keep him from leaving her. "A-Aoshi-sama –"

Shinomori cut her off abruptly and deftly released her shoulder, whirling around to exit the house before the girl could come to her senses. "This is how it must be, Misao-mine…"

(Without the mask…where will you hide?)

The wolf was observing this confrontation impassively in the background, not wanting to get in the middle of the lover's tiff. It felt so familiar, though…in a strange sort of way. He shrugged and blew out a stream of smoke, absentmindedly watching the tendrils twist and turn before they disappeared into thin air. How was the itachi going to cope with a situation such as this…?

(Can't find yourself…lost in your lie?)

This wasn't happening, couldn't be happening. Not here, not now…Aoshi wasn't saying goodbye, wasn't walking out that door and leaving her there by herself. Dear Kami-sama, this just couldn't be real. "A-AOSHI-SAMA!" And suddenly, her legs were able to move again. Suddenly, her brain was working once more. Suddenly, she knew that she couldn't allow him to go…not like this. She lurched forward through the front door after the ice block and stumbled a bit on the stairs, but finally caught him a few feet down the gravel driveway. "I-I love you, Aoshi-sama…p-please don't leave me…please e-explain…I-I'm begging you…" Misao grabbed at his sleeve and tugged on it, desperate to slow him down, frantic to bring him to a halt …

Shinomori stopped tersely and turned his head to fix the dismayed girl with an icy-blue gaze. "…Aa…I do not need to justify myself to you, Misao-mine," the force in which he used to fling her from him was strong, and sent the itachi flying backwards to the solid earth. She hit the ground hard, wincing as the small, sharp pebbles dug harshly into her legs and hands. "…Now let me go in peace…" It was for her own good that he was doing this, even if she couldn't understand…

(I know the truth, now!)

Misao sat up painfully and blinked at Aoshi with wide, blue-green eyes, unable to believe what he had just done to her. Salty tears threatened to fall down her cheeks, but she wouldn't allow herself to cry in front of him, wouldn't let herself show a weakness at this crucial point in time. "…H-how…how c-could you…?" She bit her lip and fisted a hand, shaking with the effort of holding back her sobs. "HOW COULD YOU, AOSHI?"

(I know who you are!)

Saito pushed himself from the wall and rushed over to the doorway, cigarette lazily hanging from the corner of his mouth. He cursed himself for becoming lost in his thoughts and leaving Misao alone, snarled angrily at the sight, and started down the stairs after the weasel. Beating Shinomori to a nice, gooey pulp would be most enjoyable, indeed…

(And I don't love you anymore…)

The ice block stared unblinkingly down at her for a few tense seconds, shoved his hands into his pockets, and turned his back upon the girl. Without another word, he disappeared into the pitch darkness…leaving the anguished weasel alone upon the bitter, unforgiving gravel.

(…It never was, and never will be)

Misao gazed wretchedly after him and pushed herself into a kneeling position, the tears finally victorious in winning the futile battle she had waged with them. "…Aoshi…y-you…you bastard…" A sob tore free from her throat and she buried her face into her bloody palms. "I loved you…s-so much…so v-very much…"

(You don't know how you've betrayed me!)

The stars were bright in the night sky, sharply contrasting with the never-ending blackness of their backdrop. Clouds lazily drifted about in various places, tinged with the very dark royal purple that was associated with times after dusk. Their lumbering forms blocked many stars from view, but were unable to conceal the full moon and its entire splendor. Rays of hoary light joyfully beamed down between the clouds and settled on Misao's trembling form, bathing her in their silver beauty.

(And somehow you've got everybody fooled)

For the first time in her life, Makimachi Misao, queen-of-the-exploding-soba, weasel-girl-to-rule-them-all, and payback-expert-extraordinaire felt entirely and wholly lost. Up a creek without a paddle, stuck in an unknown city without a map, locked in a room in the company of Saito without a knife…the list went on and on.

Unbeknownst to the itachi, however, a certain wolf had snuck up behind her and was fast approaching. With only a bit of hesitation, Saito reached down and lightly placed a hand upon the raven crown of the ninja girl's head. "…It's cold out here, Misao. You should…come back inside," when he was only met with a barely stifled sob, the detective sighed under his breath. "I'll even escort you back myself, now come…" He held out the crook of his elbow for her, and then resigned himself to wait patiently.

(It never was, and never will be)

Misao sniffled and irately rubbed at her eyes, then looked up at Saito in astonishment. Was he actually…being nice to her? And had he offered…no, surely he hadn't… "…Y-you…will?" She cursed the tremor in her voice, damning herself for being so weak in front of such a strong man. If it was horrifyingly bad to have Aoshi-sama see her cry, then having Saito witness it…was much, much worse…

Aoshi-sama…

(You're not real, and you can't save me!)

With a determined set to her jaw, the weasel pushed herself from the dirt and gingerly slid her tiny arm through Saito's much larger one. "…Th-thanks, Saito…" She was grateful that it was so dark out, as she was certain that her face was probably beet-red by now. Since they were both wearing T-shirts, their skin was touching, and the feel of his muscled arm around hers sent shivers through Misao's spine. That probably wasn't a good thing, but she decided to ignore it for the sake of avoiding embarrassment.

The wolf started back towards the house with the weasel firmly in tow, then rolled his amber eyes as he recalled her earlier question. "Hn…baka itachi-musume…when I say things, I normally mean them," there was a few seconds of silence, and an owl hooted softly in the distance. "…And there's no need to thank me…I'm merely doing my job." The strange sensations running up his arm told a different story, however, but he plaintively disregarded them as chills brought on by the cold air, and nothing more.

Shinomori didn't know what he was missing.

(And somehow now, you're everybody's fool…)

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Jasmine: Well, there you go, guys! I'm sorry if Aoshi was a bit (or a lot) OOC, but he had to be a jerk to make this fit. Oh, and I'm sorry if this is going a little slow, but I believe that it'd take Saito a long time to get to really like someone… ANYways, whoever gives me my fiftieth review shall get a cyber plushie of their choice, complete with talking action! 'Til next time, loyal reviewers, this is Jasmine Reinier…signing off!

"People only have hope…because they cannot see Death standing behind them..."