Chapter 5- Crash and Burn

Chapter 5- Crash and Burn

Disclaimers: Standard RK disclaimers apply. I'm also borrowing Savage Garden's wonderful song 'Crash and Burn' for this particular chapter. I'm a good kid, please don't sue.

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They moved stealthily inside the huge house. With unsheathed swords and drawn out kunais as they went farther into the hideout, it seems to be a strikeout mission instead of a surveillance. The target was not just a small time terrorist but also a ninja clan group.

They rounded a corner walking on almost too silent feet. Soujiro suddenly shikuchied and grabbed a watcher from behind, slitting his throat cleanly. Misao and Aoshi followed after Soujiro, not bothering to look at the corpse. They lost count of how many they've had to kill since they've breached the house security.

As they were advancing towards the main office, a rough voice came from behind them, startling them. "Don't you dare move minna," said the stranger. Stiffening their spines, Misao, Aoshi and Soujiro turned to face the nemesis.

In front of them stood a huge man, obviously desperate but still lethal enough to cause real damage. He was richly dressed European clothes but he held a pistol and a gleaming katana in his hands. A dozen or more ninjas then dropped in beside him, drawing their swords.

Soujiro and Aoshi both stepped forward a little, effectively shielding Misao with their bodies. Misao yelped and punched both guys behind their heads. "Baka! I'm Makimachi Misao the okashira of the Oniwabanshuu. Don't you dare underestimate me! I'm a woman hear me roar!" Misao exclaimed as she drew out her kunais and moved forward a little as well, placing her on level footing with the men.

Soujiro rubbed his head a bit, smiling wryly. He was not that threatened but the pistol could post a problem if it was aimed at Misao because Soujiro doubted Misao was fast enough to dodge the bullet. He launched into his preparatory shikuchi stance, hoping that Shinomori would take the hint and protect Misao while he finishes off these buffoons.

Sure enough, Aoshi took the hint and protected Soujiro's rear, making sure he was near Misao even during battle. The leader was yelling, knowing that his men didn't stand a chance against Soujiro's Shikuchi and Aoshi's Kaiten Kenbu Ruroken.

His eyes wild and full of rage, he began firing his pistol in Soujiro's direction. Soujiro's ducked and dodged rapidly, moving so fast he couldn't be kept track of. Misao yelled as soon as the leader started shooting and at her yell, the leader whipped around and saw her, his only chance for revenge.

It all moved as if in slow motion. On the other side of the room, Soujiro stood poised, his foot in a shikuchi starting position. Aoshi saw the direction of the leader's gaze too and began running towards Misao. The leader whipped his arm, pointing his gun in Misao's direction. His finger then caressed the trigger, a loud retort echoing almost too loudly, his last bullet.

A woman's scream rang out as Soujiro's sword descended in lethal swiftness towards the leader but it was too late. The shot was already fired.

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Author's Notes: Minna, this symbol ~ would signify the lyrics of the song "Crash and Burn" which I'm using for this particular fic. * would stand for the chorus.

It was in the late afternoon. The scene was peaceful, tranquil as if the battle was never fought. The sun was already setting and Soujiro looked out pensively over the small stream's rippling surface.

~When you feel all alone

He looked back at the person standing next to him as he sighed. Everything was crystal clear to him from the beginning. He then hugged the girl standing beside him gently, allowing the girl to soak the front of his gi with her tears.

~Like the world has turned its back on you

Her tears... his own loss. Allowing his ever present mask slip, his smile faded slowly, replaced by emotions Soujiro Seta never allowed to surface since that fateful night. He hugged Misao tighter treasuring this moment.

"Other half?"

~Give me a moment please

Maybe but it was also a fact that she loves Aoshi Shinomori so much more and as Kenshin Himura said, she wasn't the sheath he was seeking.

~To tame your wild, wild heart

She was very special, the only one he has felt so comfortable with because frankly, they were kindred souls. Other halves even but not each other's destiny. The affinity between them was a true as the stars itself but it wasn't what would make their lives complete. It wasn't what would conclude their journeys. Misao's fate lies in Aoshi's love. His fate lies somewhere too... he just hasn't found it.

* Let me be the one you call

Misao buried her face in Soujiro's gi. "Arigatou... arigatou..." she whispered hugging the swordsman back. She pulled away slightly and looked into his warm brown eyes. Seeing the understanding there, the complete acceptance of her own feelings was mirrored in his eyes. " Aishiteru my tomagotchi..." she whispered and saw his smile dawn like a new day.

*If you jump I'm ready to fall

"Arigatou Misao-chan...for accepting me into your heart.." said Soujiro as he released her slowly, a smile lighting up his handsome face.

*Lift you up and fly away with you into the night

"Iie. Arigatou gozaimasu Sou-chan," said Misao an impish smile lighting up her face as she shook her head in negation. She grew a little tearful again as she laughed, "I don't know how to thank you..."

*When you need to fall apart

A sudden rustle behind them made Misao's smile more radiant, all the traces of sorrow gone from their cerulean depths. Aoshi then stepped out, a bandage wrapped around his shoulder, bare-chested as he stood beside Misao, placing a hand on her shoulder.

*I can mend a broken heart

"Arigatou gozaimasu Soujiro Seta," said Aoshi quietly as the young man who took the bullet off his shoulder and saved his life. Soujiro smiled then, his normal smile lighting his own face. "Oh, no sweat Shinomori-san. I feared more for my life from Misao-chan if I failed to save yours," said Soujiro good-naturedly.

*If you need to crash and burn

Suddenly, his smile turned into a smile similar to Kenshin's typical clueless rurouni smile. "Ano... So, Shinomori-san, have you decided to throw in the towel to Misao-chan's tenacity?" asked Soujiro not so innocently as Misao's face turned crimson and surprisingly, so did Aoshi's.

*You're not alone....

"Masaka--" said Misao threateningly as she advanced on Soujiro, fists full of her kunais. Soujiro was about to retreat when he saw the look of determination cross Aoshi's face. 'Finally!' thought Soujiro in relief as he watched Misao yelp in surprise when Aoshi pulled her into his arms. He smiled wider when Aoshi suddenly kissed Misao, stilling the genki ninja's squeal of surprise effectively.

Soujiro then left, whistling as he went his own way. He left the two oniwabanshuu still in each other's arms as he took his own path. It was reassuring, knowing he has Misao to come back to when life gets too difficult, a friend to see him through. He just hoped the young okashira's life was a good as he has seen. Misao and Aoshi's love is something that would only grow stronger in time... it depends on each person's stubbornness actually.

If you need to fall apart

I can mend a broken heart

If you need to crash and burn

You're not alone

--Savage Garden

When Aoshi lifted his head up, Misao's eyes were still closed but a few tears slipped out. Aoshi tenderly wiped them away with his thumb as Misao leaned her cheek against his palm.

"Aishiteru Misao..." said Aoshi as he bent his head close resting his forehead against hers.

"Aishiteru Aoshi-sama..." whispered Misao as she laughed feeling her heart tamed off its long journey.

*** OWARI ***

Author's Notes:

Whew...... okay, a lot of people would probably be throwing stuff at me... umm, I toyed with the idea of Misao and Soujiro ending up but I couldn't do it. I guess I believe too much in the power of first love. Hope you guys aren't mad at me. I just believe that Soujiro would find his "sheath" someday... Misao is Aoshi's "sheath" and I really don't think Aoshi would like sharing Misao ne Aoshi?

Aoshi: "....." ( pulling out his kodachis)

Jo-chan: Ack!!!