Chapter 10: Getting to Know You

Just a few more hours... Aoshi-sama please wait. I will help you save Megumi... Even if... If you want her over me.

The Itachi stood by the deck listening to the song of the sea. The waves gently splashing beside the ship. She hadn't slept a wink and her heart was burdened by the very thought that Aoshi would leave not even thinking about his safety and theirs... All for Megumi.

Baka...

Megumi was a good friend of hers, even if lately things had been disagreeable between them. She admired Megumi too, because she was more lady like than she could ever dare to be. It was no surprise then to Misao that Aoshi would go after Megumi instead, but in her heart for once she had wanted Aoshi to go after her. For it was always like this, running after him. Looking and running. She never stopped to look for him. But for how long? How long before she gets tired of it? She shook her head a tear threatening to slide down her cheek.

"You should get some sleep it's almost morning and we'll be docking in a few hours."

Misao turned abruptly, surprised and slightly fearful as if someone else could read her mind. "Go away... I don't need it."

Saitou let out a sigh and laid his elbows on the rails of the deck. Seeing that the Itachi wasn't going back to the cabin he lingered there unwelcome. Finally he lit up a cigarette and took several drags on it.

"Put that out. It's polluting my air." Misao complained but went back to slumping her face on her hands.

"Oh?" The wolf didn't move. "You're no use to me if you are like that weasel."

"I don't want to be of use to you." Yeah I know you only brought me here because you thought I was useful. Stupid cop.

"Let go of it. At least for now." He tapped lightly on her shoulder. "I did the same... Otherwise I'd never be able to fulfill my duties correctly and efficiently."

He had wanted to help her. This was the only way he knew how but he regretted it for the weasel turned and with a resounding slap he found his face twisted to the side and his cigarette falling to the sea.

The tears they escaped her now. They rush like the river on her face. "How can you ask that of me? You can't possibly know what we've been through!" What I've been through! Waiting and running after Aoshi-sama for all this time.

He scowled at her, then took her hand and dragged her back to the cabin. He didn't care that she started scratching his arm and kicking his legs.

"You're going to bed... You need rest."

Saitou threw the Misao to the bed and locked the door behind them. He could see the weasel still crying silently while hugging the pillow. Turning off the lights, he pulled a chair towards the door. They can't share a bed that wouldn't be right. And if he stayed by the door the weasel has no choice but to stay in bed. Finally he closed his eyes.

Yes I do know Itachi... What you're going through is tough... I know for Tokio has decided to leave me.

"You! Take him to his room." Keisuke commanded his henchmen. "You are free to loiter this mansion if you wish during the day."

Keisuke moved closer to Aoshi. Not that he didn't want Megumi to hear but it was close enough for him to smell Aoshi's scent. "Enjoy your stay and I suggest not trying anything suspicious or you know what will happen to Megumi."

"I can take her away Keisuke anytime." Aoshi's eyes gave him a cold stare to which Keisuke just chuckled softly.

"And what if she doesn't go with you?" Keisuke turned to Megumi. Aoshi himself pleaded with his eyes to the doctor.

"I'm tired..." She replied to both of them and left the room.

"There's your answer Shinomori-san." Keisuke finished it with a smirk while Aoshi was led to his room... Unlocked but the mansion was still a prison for Aoshi could never leave without Megumi.

Early that morning the wolf threw a fresh set of clothes on Misao's face. "Wear that..."

Misao just sat there. Not a wink of sleep for several nights now. She had come with the full conviction of saving her Aoshi-sama... But maybe it was all a mistake and that Aoshi just wanted to run away with Megumi.

"Let's go back Saitou..." I don't want to see them together. I can't...

The wolf glowered over her. "What's with the sudden change of heart weasel?" His voice was low but disgust was written all over it.

"Nothing... Maybe it's better to leave them alone."

"Ahou! How stupid can you get? Don't you remember your home? The Aoiya? And your friends?" He didn't want to say it. He did not like to baby sit. Not when he had his own problems and this is definitely getting in his way to fix things between him and Tokio. The sooner this is over, the sooner he can be back to Kyoto. So he stood up and donned a new shirt.

"I don't care what you would like to do but as a cop I have a duty. So go back if you must weasel. But... I am utterly disappointed in you."

He left with his katana and closed the door behind him.

I can't... I can't... But... they're my friends... Saitou's not even close to them but he is going just out of pure duty... And yet I am sitting here completely useless. If I don't follow him I won't be able to find them... And I would... Hate myself...

She got up from bed slowly but didn't bother to wear the kimono. Checking her pockets she made sure she had enough kunais, shuriken and various vials of herbs and anti-poisons. A shinobi is always ready... That's what Aoshi taught her once as a child.

In his eyes... I will always be a child...

Running out of the cabin she spotted the cop quite far away. Well she may not be the best shinobi out there but she was convinced she was the fastest. Catching up to Saitou took only moments and the wolf smirked as he felt her ki behind him. He continued on not looking, letting her build up her confidence as a shinobi would be good once in a while. Not knowing her quite well, he knew that somehow something has been holding back her confidence. And did he regret it for after only a few moments the shinobi declared...

"KEICHO KICK!!

"

A resounding thud followed and the wolf found himself falling to the ground.

Oops! I think I overdid that... God I didn't realize Saitou could be so clumsy...

They both fell to the ground and the wolf not wanting to land flat on his face, twisted his whole body and in a flash was facing Misao as she too fell... On top of him... THUD!

They were sprawled like children on the ground in the forest where no one could see. But that was good, for the wolf felt an animalistic anger rising from the bottom of his pit. While the Itachi looked around unsuspectingly and scratched the back of her head.

"Sorry! You were going so fast I didn't think I'd be able to catch up?" She smiled at him. An innocent smile that could disarm any manslayer... The wind swept between the trees and it made them hum a tune. For a moment the wolf was confused and didn't know whether he'd start talking first or try to get the weasel off him. They were in a very awkward and -revealing- position.

"Ahou! Get off of me NOW!" He pushed her away and Misao was left sitting on the ground while the wolf tried to wipe off the dirt from his clothes.

Aoshi Shinomori awoke from his slumber. The sun was already high up in the horizon. He usually did not sleep this late but his mind was getting confused and cloudy once again. Wasn't it only a while ago that his life turned back to normal? Only a little while ago that he told Megumi his feelings and she responded back by not turning him away. He needed to be accepted by someone and she was his anchor. But why did she all of a sudden cast him away like a dirty rag? He shot up from the bed and went over to the closet where he kept his overcoat. Opening it revealed nothing. Someone must've taken it while he was sleeping. All of his weapons were there and a few others.

Keisuke so you were not as confident as you said you were.

A grin played on his face. He didn't need those. All he needed was to speak with Megumi and they could work it out somehow. All he needed was to convince her to escape with him back to Kyoto.

He turned and open the door. It wasn't locked as Keisuke had promised... And there were no henchmen guarding him. There was a sweet fragrance in the air as he walked down the hallway very enticing... It brought to him imagery of the Aoiya... The Oniwabanshu and his fallen comrades... He stood there inhaling it just like it was fresh air. Then he caught himself short. The fragrance was not fragrant at all. It was... That thing which took his comrades away. The thing that almost ruined Megumi... It was the sweet and pungent smell of opium.

Running quickly he detected the odor coming from one of the many rooms from the first floor. He turned the knob but it is locked. Placing his ears beside the door he strained to hear the conversation inside.

"How long before we can have a fresh batch to send to Kyoto?"

"Just a few more moments." The woman giggled.

"Make sure it is ready..."

"Yes... Don't worry Keisuke-san.."

Aoshi could not believe it... How did Keisuke get Megumi to do the one thing she hated most? Didn't Megumi promised to repent? Just like he did? They'd repent for their sins together. In memory of those who they have aggravated and those who have died because of their foolish mistakes.

He wanted to break the door down that instant... But he knew it wasn't the time, for honestly he could not take her away until she explained why she had broken her promise to Kenshin and himself. If worse comes to worse would he take her to the police and let her rot in jail?

Feeling lost is something he was not used to. Yes he was lost during the time that all he wanted to be was the strongest... But that was different.. He had learned from his mistakes... Will he give up everything now for Megumi? Will he become an outlaw again?

Saitou and Misao finally arrived at the police headquarters in Okinawa. The wolf had information where the supposed hideout of Kanryuu's brother was. But bureaucracy dictates that certain things must be handled in a certain manner. And one of them was not going over the heads of other branches of the police. Otherwise working cooperatively in future cases would be severely hindered. They were led to the Okinawan Chief of Police room where a rather fat looking officer offered them a seat.

"Lt. Fujita reporting for duty sir." The wolf tried hard not to frown. He hated formalities, they were always so pointless.

"Ah... So you were the special agent sent by Kawaji?" The man chuckled. "I am Haru Koda. Pleased to meet you."

Saitou tried hard to stop himself from taking the man and throwing him to the wall for laughing at him. Undoubtedly the Chief of Police in Okinawa was too carefree.

"Yes. Same here Kanchou." The wolf bowed stiffly.

"Well well... It's about time someone came here." Haru started chuckling again. "For several months now we've been having problems with drug trafficking here in Okinawa."

Saitou gritted his teeth... If you were having so much problems... Why didn't you start doing something about it.. Instead of waiting for a dispatch?

"I understand Kanchou, that is why we are here." Saitou nodded towards Misao.

"Oh?" The man eyed Misao lasciviously and walked over to her. "You are young! I never thought that Kyoto police department would have some nice looking recruits. I really should visit there sometime."

Misao blushed furiously. She wasn't sure if she would be glad someone was making a fuss over her.. Or if she would be indignant at this show of crudeness.

"Ahem!" The wolf cleared his throat. "If you would give us the details sir.. So we can be on our -way-?

Any closer to Misao and I will pummel you in your office and break your head wide open.

Seeing the wolf was now eyeing him suspiciously, the Chief shrugged and moved back towards his desk taking out a few papers.

"Here are the suspected locations were opium is being produced. You can see on the map from what ports here in Okinawa they are being shipped out." The Chief turned once again to Misao. "Maybe you can leave the girl here for a while. It could be very dangerous."

Not in this lifetime you moron

"No sir... She has to get training and this is just a good time as any." He bowed. "We'll be in contact should we need assistance."

With that the wolf left dragging the weasel away as quickly as possible. That was inconvenient and any longer he might just end up quitting the force and practicing Aku Soku Zan anytime he saw fit.

After they finally got out of the Police station the wolf heaved a heavy sigh. "Suma... It seems that licentuous men are still in the force." He said to Misao. It was embarassing indeed to be associated with the Meiji when it was full of blockheads and nit wits.

"Ooh? I thought it was rather cute!" Misao beamed happily. It's been a while since someone fussed over her and it was welcome...

Now that Aoshi doesn't give a damn about me... At least someone sees me as a woman!

"Weasel... In time you will find that all men are -not- created equal..."

Dragging the Itachi to a nearby soba stand, he orders two helpings.

"I didn't want soba..."

"Stop complaining."

"But I heard plain zaru soba is not appetizing!" Misao countered.

"It's hot itachi... The soba is cold... And it's healthy."

"Since when did you ever practiced healthy habits? Geez you -do- know that smoking is bad for you?" Placing her hands on her hips and pursing her lips the Itachi waited for an answer.

"Smoking keeps me sane... Ahou."

"What the..." Their conversation was interrupted when the waiter delivered their order. Actually the Itachi kept on speaking but the wolf was not listening to engrossed in his zaru soba.

BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH... (Itachi)

SLURP! SLURP! SLURP! (Came the wolf's answer)