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.

*********

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.

*************************

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 life as it is, is too unpredictable to put labels on the significance of people like Misao in his life. He never imagined he would come to care for Misao in such a short span of time... it must be fate isn't it?

To tame your wild, wild heart

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. She felt so devastated by Aoshi's death... it was just so hard..

* Let me be the one you call

Soujiro just held her, content to share her sorrow. Unable to help himself, he whispered against Misao's hair, "Aishiteru Misao..."

If you jump I'm ready to fall

Misao looked up so swiftly, a dozen questions in her eyes. Soujiro just smiled and playfully closed her mouth that hung open at his words. "Iie Misao... now's not the right time I know but I'll wait..." he said as he slowly released the badly shaken okashira.

Lift you up and fly away with you into the night

He smiled at her before gathering his stuff up. Misao was standing still, a rare occurrence but Soujiro was too preoccupied with his own thoughts. 'She probably will go back to Aoiya and bask in the comfort of family and loved ones...' thought Soujiro before slinging his bag over his arm.

When you need to fall apart

He turned to look at Misao... a little uncertain. "Ano... I'll probably stop by the Aoiya when enough time has passed Misao-chan. If you need me... I'll just be around I suppose..." he said before turning his back.

I can mend a broken heart

As he turned his back, Misao was still in a state of disbelief. 'Iie... masaka! He loves me but he's LEAVING me?' thought Misao as grief slowly faded in the wake of anger and a feeling she was far too emotionally spent to recognize.

If you need to crash and burn

She released her kunais forcefully... one kunai pinning the sleeve of Soujiro's gi in a nearby tree. Soujiro's face was a mixture of shock and surprise. Misao began running to him and when she got close enough she threw herself into his arms. Fresh tears began pouring down her face, why she didn't know. "Sou-chan... I don't want to be alone... " said Misao as she gazed up Soujiro's face

You're not alone

Soujiro pulled on the kunai that was pinning his sleeve, ignoring the sound of tearing cloth as he wrapped both arms around Misao. Feeling as if a burden has been lifted from her heart, Misao lifted her face, closing her eyes as if entrusting her heart and future in Soujiro's hands. His arms tightened around her as he bent his head and kissed her.

I'll stay with you always... you don't have to be alone anymore...

You don't have to be alone too either....

Right now it's far too early to tell how things would turn out... but for now both of them were sure of one thing... they'll never be alone again.

OWARI

Author's Notes:

:: dodging kunais from the AMML and ducking from the katanas in the FF readers...::

Gomen minna, I wrote an alternate chapter for Misao-Soujiro fans out there. I love both Aoshi and Soujiro so I hope you don't mind the two alternate endings... you decide which one you prefer. JA!