Chapter 26: You Know You Love Her When…

He came, he saw and he almost fell down the moment the weasel girl opened the door. She was wearing a thin lingerie with lace trimmings that barely hid her creamy white skin. Quickly he shut the door and locked it. He wondered why in the hell he would secure the door when he wasn't planning to stay. Didn't he had unfinished business with the idiot Nakashima?

Deciding to make quick work of Misao, he frowned. "Forgot to do laundry weasel?" Quirking an eyebrow he lit a cigarette noting how his hand shook slightly as he drew the match to the tip of his tobacco.

The weasel grabbed the stick and threw it at the sink annoyed that for all her "preparations" today, all she got was a smart ass remark. It took a while to find the outfit too and then woman she bought it from kept trying to pry into her business.

"What the?" The wolf scowled and gave her an incredulous look. "Those are expensive ahou!"

Shrugging off his protest, she spun around and pointed to her outfit. "Don't tell me you don't know what this means!"

With a shrug he distanced himself from her and crossed his arms figuring it was best to err on the safe side. "Unfortunately I don't, so do me a favor and get on with it. I don't have time to waste here."

"Waste? Why you!" She shook her fist at him, her teeth gnawing at the insides of her cheek.

"Weasel… I –said- keep it short."

"Fine!" It took all her will power not to grab the lit candle that was on the dining table. She wondered why in the hell he was being so oblivious, didn't he see the candles? The set dinner? Didn't he even smell the dried Jasmine flowers? If she wasn't so peeved at his blasé reaction, Misao would've probably felt a little shy but all that was thrown to the wind.

"I'm…" She didn't expect it was going to be this hard to tell him. She kind of thought he'd just know and they'd just…

"Yes?"

"I'm…" Well she was expecting him to get the message and sweep her off her feet.

The wolf sighed and looked up, tapping his fingers on his arm impatiently.

"Oh damn it! Fine! It's my birthday." She frowned, that wasn't exactly what she wanted to say. She should've asked Megumi for an opening aside from the physical aspects of "intimacy".

"So you want me to get you a present?" He knew it was sometime in November. He'd have gotten her a gift if she wasn't hanging around Nakashima so much lately and hell he didn't know what day it was specifically… Clicking his tongue and furrowing his eyebrows, his eyes narrowed realizing that he wasn't too far from the truth after all. Actually he was too damn close to it… His eyes scanned the small room, the table setting, the scanty clothing, hell even the air was…And yes this auspicious day all supported his "theory"

"No…" Although a present would've been nice… Stupid cop.

"Misao I'm not a mind reader." Saitou deciding it was bad timing opted to embarrass her a bit more in the hopes of deterring the obvious. Perhaps, he thought, if she can't bring herself to say it, she'd just drop the subject entirely. The problem was of course, it was a lose-lose situation for him.

"I'm of age… I'm ready…" Why aren't you making your move?

Saitou of course wasn't –that- big of a dolt in certain regards of "relations", but what was he to say to that? He came with the intention of sending her away, back to Kyoto before she finds out that he was involved in a duel with someone she considered a friend, -her- friend that he could easily kill for the sake of his code.

He looked the weasel over. She was smiling now and if his eyes weren't playing tricks on him, she was glowing, such a contrast to the bad-tempered weasel from earlier. Oh but he was wrong of course, the weasel had a few more things to say.

"Well don't tell me you're just going to stand there." Placing her hands on her waist she grinned. "I'm offering myself to you baka!"

He blinked once, twice and a few more. Opening his mouth to speak, no words came out. At once Misao approached him and sighed.

"You know… With all the prodding you did the past weeks, I'm quite –disappointed-." She laid a finger on his chest and looked up at him with a most beguiling smile before removing the barrette that held her braid in place. Saitou mentally heard himself groan, for a young woman who had no experience; she was starting to get to him. It was probably since he hadn't really been with a woman for at least two years that even Misao's novice method of seduction was starting to wear him down.

She saw him swallow and she smiled to herself and pushed him down towards the futon, copied his infamous smirk and sat on him triumphantly. Straddling his stomach with her legs, her small hands dutifully unbuttoned his jacket. Saitou made no move to neither encourage her nor –discourage- her but he did –watch- her intently, all the while fighting with himself whether to take charge or not. So many things flashed through his mind as the weasel undressed him. He had to meet with Shu in a few hours; the ride to Tama was at least half an hour. He –could- oblige, after all didn't he say to Shiro that he won't touch her? It's a completely different matter if she was the instigator. He –was- a man. What kind of man would he be if he didn't pursue what was offered to him –freely-? But aside from that, he wondered if his weasel had finally decided and if she did, did she consider carefully?

Bending down, Misao's lips softly grazed his and it wasn't too long before he found himself engaging her in an open mouth kiss all the while berating himself for showing his lack of restraint. Closing his eyes, he enjoyed her plush lips and the flittering tongue that danced around the roof of his mouth. His hands traveled from her silky smooth thighs up to her waist where he kneaded them in his strong calloused hands. Pushing her slightly downwards, placing her exactly where he needed her to be.

This gesture was not loss to Misao. Thank goodness she had that talk with Megumi otherwise she'd probably freak out at what's going on with him down there. She could feel the stiffness against her bottom and although she now knew what it meant, her mind still wondered about it. She continued the kiss getting quite excited herself, finding that same warm feeling she felt back in Kyoto, in an alley no less. Her heart thumped wildly, knowing that she was taking charge. She was being a woman, not being rejected like a naïve child. And she finally made a choice, a choice that was hers for once, taking her own happiness into consideration.

Her train of thought was broken when she felt his hand take her right, guiding her to one of his nipples, while his other hand finding their way under the lingerie softly exploring her stomach and finally cupping her small breast. She reveled in his touch, the tingling sensation traveling at the very tip of her extremities, making the hair on the back of her neck bristle and slowly in time with his squeezes, her breathing became harder.

And just as it was getting good, leave it up to the wolf to stop. He stopped moving against her, his hand laid very still and of course he broke the kiss. Saitou partly relieved that he finally got some control gripped both her arms securely. He wasn't about to let this happen just –yet-, not until his questions was answered. He noted Misao's face lay contorted just a few inches away from his, if only she knew how much he wanted this as well. Looking up Saitou brushed an errant strand of hair and tucked it behind her ear.

His voice was soft that he himself was surprised, "You've thought long and hard about this? Misao I know why you're here in Tokyo."

"How did you?" Misao pulled back slightly, confused that he'd bring this up in the middle of…

"Let's just say many people "care" about you."

She frowned, "So they didn't leave you out of it."

"I'm sensing anger there…" He smirked, "But I wouldn't blame you if you were perhaps angry…"

"It's not right." Misao got off him and rolled to his side, looking up to the ceiling.

"You are correct, but if this was your way of going against them then it's wrong." Unconsciously Saitou searched for Misao's hand.

"No Hajime. It's not." She sighed, this wasn't exactly what she had in mind but at least now she knew why he wasn't engaging her as she imagined.

"Then what is it?" Finding her hand, he played with her finger tips.

"I was afraid, the past week you've been avoiding me." Looking away, she tried to shrug it off.

Saitou chuckled and made her turn back towards him, "You thought I finally got fed up just because I stopped making advances?"

She blushed knowing that it was a bit childish, "yes…"

"Hmmm… Fair enough." He turned to her side and ran a slow trail of kisses from her shoulder, up to the sides of her neck, finally ending it with a nibble on her earlobe. "You flatter me weasel." He whispered and entangled his fingers through her hair. "If you want this to happen it will."

Misao held his gaze for a long while. She did want it to, she had been thinking about it for a few weeks since she realized that officially she was now of age. She wanted to make a decision on her own about her own life.

"I want to…" Feeling the heat rise up from her cheeks, she felt a bit embarrassed.

At that moment Saitou decided Nakashima and everyone else can wait. He was going to oblige his weasel and himself, so he rose half-way, inspecting her with his eyes that held a smoldering gaze which made Misao feel self-conscious once again. "You're mine then…" He growled.

Misao held her breath as he pulled each piece of scanty clothing from her, the deliberate slowness was such a contrast to how she was feeling that she wanted to shout at him, ask him what the hell? The slowness of it all was a torture.

Then it came, those long tapered hands languidly explored her small frame, molding them like she was a piece of clay, the only difference was she sighed, stiffened, melted and moaned all in never ending succession. Her eyelids fluttered closed unable to maintain eye-contact with his amber eyes.

"This is so not good weasel."

NOTE: THIS PART IS CONTINUED AT HTTP / HAJIMENOKIZU . COM / WI26 . HTM FOR IT'S CITRUSY... NAH... IT'S RATHER LEMONY (SPELLING?) FLAVOR... SO NO ONE BELOW 18 IS ALLOWED TO VIEW THE OFFSITE LINK. NO EXCEPTIONS. JUST USE YOUR IMAGINATION, I'M SURE YOU CAN IMAGINE A BETTER SCENE MOST PROBABLY...

And the words below never came out but perhaps they never needed to be said.

I love you ahou...

Same here baka…

Earlier that afternoon…

"Where is Fujita!" Kawaji paced the length of his office before finally pounding his hands on the desk. It was almost dusk and he's not seen hide nor hair of his subordinate.

"How should I know?" Chou scratched his ear. "The boss ain't my ward."

"I told you to follow him!"

"That would be stalkin' and I don't do that to my superior." Chou sighed, that wasn't really the reason. His boss was hard to trail and hell if he did and Fujita found out he'll never get his sword collection back. "What's the big deal anyway? I'm not about to put my ass on the line for nothin'…"

Kawaji sighed. This was the problem he'd always have with Saitou; the man wouldn't lift a finger without knowing exactly why, so it came as no surprise that Chou would be the same. Wonderful training you've done here Fujita, he thought to himself wryly.

"Where's Nakashima? Detain him!"

"Frankly Kawaji-"san"," Chou almost rolled his eyes, "I'm not wasting my time on him. I've not seen him for a couple of days and I wouldn't worry about him."

"Ahou!"

Chou narrowed his eyes at Kawaji. It was one thing to be called by the boss as a moron, but now Kawaji… He wasn't an ex-Juppongatana for nothin'.

"Now don't call me that."

"I will if I want to!"

"You're just as bad as that Fujita."

"I'm much worse."

"I'm not listenin' to you no more!" Chou turned on his heel. If the man didn't stop talking he'd let his sword fly to his bald head and he figured it wasn't such a bright idea considering he'll be surrounded by amateurish cops. Amateur but hell, put enough amateurs together and they can be a headache, "Ja ne!"

The chief of police blocked his path, sneering slightly. "Fine! I'll tell you all about it but you better be of some use."

Chou closed one of his eyes and strode back to the chair. Placing his hands behind his head, he looked up the ceiling. "Well Kawaji-"san"… Go on."

Since they really didn't have time, Kawaji decided not to call Chou again on his attitude. Instead he handed him the report that Nakashima sent to him.

"So the "boy" has some sort of vendetta against the Shinsengumi and you think Saitou will go after him because he's a threat to his identity..." Chou looked up and tossed the paper back to Kawaji. "You shouldn't worry so damn much. Fujita's a beast; he'll win over that twerp easily."

Little cross marks started appearing on Kawaji's forehead. "That's not the point!" He pounded the desk again, "If Fujita kills this boy, it is not a matter we can easily cover. He is a Keikan. Things like this are not easily glossed over and my hands will be tied."

"And you still need the likes of him for your government eh?" Chou laughed, disgusted. "It's been two days, that boy is probably dead."

"Fujita hasn't shown himself yet."

"Fine. I'll ask around about Fujita."

"You know where to go?"

"I –might-." Chou got up, "I'll report to you later and don't have me followed, the less everyone knows, the better off we all are."

Before the Chief of Police could answer, Chou already left his office. He sat back down to his chair a bit exhausted. Speaking with Chou nowadays was more like arguing with a mini-Fujita. It wasn't like that a year ago

Later that night...

The doctor in training closed the door behind her with a sigh. It was one of those days where the small clinic was filled to the brim and she ran around assisting Gensai sensei, from fetching vials of herbal medicine to babysitting children. She sat on the table and wiped her face with a damp cloth, wondering if she can skip the bath and just lay down to rest since it was already too late. She really didn't want to spend her time in the bath house that late at night.

"Tired?"

Megumi almost jumped, "If you keep visiting me like that, you might catch me at an inopportune time Aoshi."

Strong hands touched her shoulder, softly enveloping themselves in her long lustrous black hair. He bent down and smelled her neck not uttering a sound, while Megumi waited for the customary kiss but it didn't come.

"You didn't send word that you were coming. Is something wrong?"

"Not really. I came to take Misao back to the Aoiya."

Her shoulder stiffened and the Shinobi slowly let his fingers dig into her muscles, kneading them.

"Long day?"

"Ah… yes." It wasn't a lie. She did have a long day, she told herself. "Shouldn't you be going to Misao then?"

"I came a day early."

Had the circumstances been different, Megumi would've been elated. It was no secret to anyone that they were now a couple and Aoshi had already proposed to her, of course no one knows yet of their plans. While she mulled, the shinobi lifted her up and placed her on the futon. His eyes flickered in a low blue flame and she knew exactly what the plans were for tonight. His lips grazed hers before claiming it in a slow steady motion. In response, Megumi gingerly played with the back of his neck. It didn't take long before Aoshi had his hand on the ends of her obi, gently pulling on it to open but her hand stopped him and he broke the kiss.

"Hmm?" He raised his eyebrows, surprised that he was being denied something they had indulged in before.

"Not tonight. I can't."

"Are you feeling unwell?"

"No." She shifted her gaze and herself away from him.

Aoshi sat up looking at her back. "Still angry?"

To any other person, Aoshi's tone would've come off as monotonous and mundane but she's been with him long enough to know the slight differences. The timing couldn't have been more off, she thought wryly.

"It's not about the past." Megumi replied and turned back to him, "But I think you should go to Misao right away."

Another look of puzzlement crossed his face. This was to be their night, he had decided. "Do not worry about Misao. She will be fine."

"Why do you say that Aoshi?"

An almost imperceptible sigh escaped the Shinobi. "Our real concern was Saitou and he has pledged not to lay a finger on her."

Megumi stood up and fixed her kimono, digesting his words. If only it were –that- simple. She didn't know the cop that well to honor his word. She still remembered that the cop had a very shrewd way of thinking and men like him, were probably very weak against… No even men she admired, like the one looking at her now can be swayed if approached.

"Your concern might not lie with him."

Aoshi understood right away. "So Misao –has- failed." He frowned and crossed his arms.

"I am not in a position to say and please, even if it displeases you… Misao will need support."

The Shinobi shook his head and grabbed his coat, disappearing just as quickly as he came.

"Where are you going?" Misao alarmed, rose from the futon. Saitou had started to dress in his uniform and she wondered why in the world would he leave –now-, right after...

"Rest Misao, you need it."

"Please stay here." She wanted to say she needed him to be close. She didn't understand it but such a panic had started to tug at her.

"I'll see you in the morning." He grinned back at her, his eyes admiring her naked form hidden slightly by the sheets she pulled to cover herself. He chuckled shaking his head, "I've just seen every part of you weasel. Don't hide."

"Please… Don't go." She could feel her cheeks starting to burn. How she wanted to be held after their love-making was so overwhelming. She felt scared, vulnerable and quite confused. Where was he off too in such a late hour? Why wasn't he staying? Could it be that he got what he wanted and now it's over? She cringed slightly, her sea green eyes pleading with the wolf.

Saitou raised his eyebrows at her and frowned. They were just fine earlier. He did try to be gentle considering he knew it was her first. "The pain will go away." He responded in a hushed tone. "If it hurts that badly, I'll send a doctor over."

No it's not that… She didn't answer and looked down not meeting his eyes. "Don't go please."

"You're like a broken record Itachi." He was in a hurry to leave. Shu was waiting and he had to finish his business.

"Where are you going?" She got up and clung to his arm.

"You do not need to know."

Yes I do! Because I need you to stay…

"You just can't leave me here." She started to sob and the wolf was perplexed. He could tell her the whys and wherefores but she was too close to Shu.

"Misao. I don't have time. If you're going to be like this…"

She looked up at him. Was that a threat? Slowly she backed away from him, her eyes wide in shock. Her old fears came back, that the man before her had no capacity to love and she just made one big mistake.

Damn it… She's…

He picked up her clothes from the floor and approached her slowly. Saitou placed it beside her and he saw her flinch slightly. He knew of course that women wanted to be held and talked to after being intimate.

She probably thinks…

He stood before her and pulled her into a tight embrace, his hand gently stroking her hair. "You'll need to trust me weasel. There'll be days like this if we're to stay together." It pained him of course because that was his mistake with Tokio, he couldn't give himself fully and to repeat them with her, although how inevitable was also unacceptable. He'd say he loved her but he wasn't really that type of man. He'd just have to keep showing it.

Taking her clothes, he pulled the sheets off her and started to dress her. She obliged silently, still confused, unable to see that small things does matter and love, isn't all about sex, words nor grand declarations. He held her up by the arms and kissed her slightly on the lips and headed out the door.

Chou entered the sword shop and admired the blades. He wasn't into "unsigned" katanas but there were some pretty interesting ones here.

"What are you doing here?" Eiji's hand shook wanting to grab the shinai off his back.

"Easy there partner." Chou grinned. "I just want to know if you've seen Fujita anywhere."

"No and you can leave."

"That would be impossible." Chou non-chalantly picked up a blade, "I'd get in trouble if I don't find the boss soon."

Eiji grimaced, he did remember Fujita mentioning Chou was now his subordinate, that was in fact the reason he found out Chou was an ex-Juppongatana.

"I have some business with him."

"You're after him?" Eiji drew his shinai, "You're gonna have to go through me first."

Chou started to laugh and replaced back the katana to the sword rack. "Didn't Fujita ever tell you not to pick a fight with a stronger opponent?"

"No we hardly talk."

"I see. Too bad for you boy but I'm not feeling like fightin' today ya know?" Chou closed his one eye and tilted his head, "Just tell me where I can find the boss coz we hav' some police matters to attend to and the address he left with us was –fake-."

Eiji grinned, at least Fujita wasn't trying to get Hiroaki-san and his family involved. "The only place he might be at is with Misao."

Chou sighed. "So you've not seen him eh? I'll be on my way then."

"You going to Misao's place?"

"Well hell yes?" Chou sighed and muttered, "stupid boy."

"I heard that!"

Cocking his head to the side, he turned and paid Eiji no mind. The young man immediately went to close the shop to catch up to Chou. Oh how he'd like to bonk that guy's head and cut off that porcupine blond hair.

Disclaimer: Nothing is mine. No profit was made. This is just fanfic. Thank you to Watsuki sensei for Saitou-sama and the Itachi! All copyright owned by their respective owners.

Note: Sorry for the slow update people! Ummm reason? Busy as heck but at least this one is a beefy update. I hope you like it even if it's rusty and all. I tried reading a little on how to write this chapter but eh… Oh well I hope you like it. Kizu