This story is being well-received so far. I don't want to disappoint so if there is something you wish to see happen or if you feel the story is losing something, let me know! I won't be offended as long as it's constructive and not just a 'you suck' comment. Anyway, I just can't seem to stop writing this story. So, I guess that's good news for those of you keeping up with it! On to chappie 3! Now, the Saitou/Misao stuff begins. Kinda. Enjoy!

Warning: By the way, as the Saitou/Misao interaction begins, it will switch at times between Misao's POV and Saitou's POV. I'll make it clear whose POV it's in though. It will mostly be Misao, since I have more fun writing her.

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Courting The Weasel

Chapter 3: Weasel To The Rescue?

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I was now nineteen as I wandered the streets of Kyoto, thinking over the many changes the past year had wrought. On the Aoshi-sama front, we had made a valiant attempt at romance. But, no amount of wishing could change the fact that we had more of a sibling relationship than a romantic one. I wasn't devastated by that realization like I thought I would be. I guess because we had actually tried the blow was softened.

On the heels of that lesson, I began to pay more attention to the others in the Aoiya. To my horror, I learned I was the only one who wanted to keep the Oniwabanshuu together. It was a new age and we had become a relic. My grandfather's once great and powerful clan had become just a bunch of restaurant workers. I kept telling myself we were needed in the Meiji era, but the truth was we hadn't been involved in any missions for the past two years. After the Shishio affair, Saitou had been transferred to Kyoto and had whipped the incompetent police force into shape. When that happened, our information network and our skills were unnecessary.

The four who I thought of as siblings were ready to settle down and marry. However, due to Oniwabanshuu code, they had to marry within the clan. That meant they would have had to marry each other and since they had grown up together, the thought of it disgusted them all.

I struggled with the decision for weeks. Finally, coming to the conclusion that I was the only one who wanted the clan to remain together, I officially dissolved the clan. I couldn't be selfish anymore. Jiya's eyes had glowed with pride and the others were shocked, but relieved. Aoshi-sama had come up to me later that evening and said words I will never forget. "A good okashira can lead his troops into battle and win. A great okashira knows when to retreat to save his men. You, Misao, are a more powerful and wise okashira than your grandfather or I could have ever hoped to be." That was the first time Aoshi-sama had ever seen me cry.

With all those changes, came a change in appearance. If I really wanted to move forward, I had to let go of 'ninja Misao'. I clipped off the braid that had been a part of me since I could remember. I began to wear my hair loose and the shorter style went just below my shoulder blades. I packed my ninja gear in a box as a memento of who I had once been, and started to wear a pink gi with red flowers with red hakama. Still no kimono for me, but this was more appropriate than the skimpy ninja outfit. And surprisingly, more comfortable. Wonder why I didn't try this before.

So, now I wandered the streets enjoying the fresh air and the calm feeling that surrounded me. As I neared an alley, I thought I heard the mention of Saitou's name, or actually Fujita's name. I stopped at a vendor's stall and pretended to shop as I listened.

"That damn cop. Kill my brother, will he? We'll show him."

A gruffer voice joined in. "Your brother was going to kill that woman we robbed. That was never part of the plan and that cop was doing what needed to be done."

The first voice spoke back. "If you're against us, I can gut you right here and now."

A third voice spoke next. "We can't argue amongst ourselves. There's just the three of us. We need to stick together."

The first voice again. "Alright. Let's get to Fujita's house and take his kid. That'll show him not to mess with us."

I felt my blood boil. Involving a child when Saitou was just doing his job? Hell no! Not while Makimachi Misao is around! Good thing I still carried my kunai for self-defense. I hopped up onto the roof and soundlessly followed the thugs.

They finally turned down a residential street and started over to a modest but nice house. In the front yard, two little boys were playing and the gate was open. I saw Tokio sitting on the porch talking to Saitou. As the thugs entered, one of them grabbed the smallest before anyone could stop him.

I saw Saitou's fists clench and Tokio began to tremble. "Please, put my son down." She was crying but trying to keep it together.

The one holding the little boy pulled a dagger out and set it against the child's throat. Oh, he's so going down. There's no way in hell I'm letting that one get away. Saitou could do absolutely nothing. He didn't have his katana on him, but any attack would have injured his son anyway.

I saw his eyes quickly flicker towards me and back. He knew I was here. Good.

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Saitou's POV

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I have never been more pissed than I am right now. I could kill that bastard holding my son captive with no remorse. Not that I felt much remorse for a kill anyway. I only went after the bad guys after all.

I saw a flicker of movement on the neighbor's roof and noticed a small young woman crouched low in a gi and hakama. She seems familiar though I can't place her. Wait a minute. Those green eyes could only be one person. It seems Itachi has grown up, but once again involved herself in matters that don't concern her. I repressed a slight sigh. That ahou is going to get herself hurt. If for no other reason than to cause me grief. I swear she lives to make my life difficult. I'll wait this out and see what she does. It's against my better judgment though.

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Misao's POV

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I noticed the older boy was frozen in fear and one of the thugs was inching towards him. Time to make my appearance. I hopped down in between the thug and Saitou's older child. "You're not getting him, ugly."

The greasy haired man looked me over in a way that made my skin crawl and then gave me a smile, one that was missing many teeth and was incredibly creepy. "Well, I wouldn't mind taking you instead."

Instead of responding, I turned to the little boy cowering a few feet behind me. "Run to your parents." He didn't need much more encouragement and took off for the porch.

I turned my full attention to the one holding the other little boy. I still hadn't pulled my kunai, not wanting to endanger the child. "Why don't you let him go?"

"Not a chance, girlie." He turned his attention to Saitou. "Alright, cop. You killed my brother. Now I'm gonna pay you back with this kid here."

The dagger inched closer and I yelled out in desperation. "WAIT!"

The thug's eyes darted up to me. He waited silently for what I was going to say. "Isn't there any way to get you to release the child?"

He looked me over just as the other one had and I had a sick feeling I knew what he was thinking. He licked his lips and my sick feeling doubled. "Well, what do you think boys? Think a little fun with this one would be better than killing the cop's kid?"

My mind raced. Truthfully, with Aoshi-sama out of the picture romantically, I doubted I would ever marry. I couldn't exactly let Saitou's child suffer. There wasn't much to consider really. Honor or a child's life? The decision was easy.

When the other men agreed, I sighed with relief when they put down the littlest boy. My relief was short-lived when I was yanked over by the semi-toothless thug. "Hey, cutie."

Ugh. This guy was repulsive.

I noticed Saitou's eyes glow with something I couldn't place as the thugs turned to leave and I was hoisted up on Ugly's shoulder. Tokio made a cry of distress and I smiled slightly at her. "It wasn't a hard decision, Tokio. Your child's life or my honor."

Tokio spoke through her tears. "Misao, what about marriage?"

Another sad smile. "I don't think marriage was in my future anyway." What was that weird look in Saitou's eyes this time?

As I was jostled down the road, I began to think there could have been a better way to handle things. But with a knife at a kid's throat I panicked and did the first thing that came to mind. Good old impetuous Misao makes her appearance at the most inopportune time. I also began to notice these guys had no idea what they were doing. If revenge was really their goal, they gave up way too easily. Idiots. It shouldn't be too hard to get away from them, then.

Those dreams were crushed when I was knocked out and woke up inside a shack tied hand and foot to a chair. Great. Just great.

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Saitou's POV

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The stupid weasel got herself captured. Ahou. And now, I'll have to go rescue her. How the hell does such a tiny girl cause so much grief? I am thankful she saved Tsutomu and Tsuyoshi, but she managed to get herself in trouble in the process. Just as I suspected.

Tokio grabbed my sleeve. "Hajime, please! You must save her!" She was in a panic.

"I will. Just let me get my sword." As I darted out the gate, the image of Misao being lifted onto that thug's shoulder entered my mind and for some reason it pissed me off beyond reason. Perhaps it was because she had just saved both of my children. And what was that strange feeling when she said marriage wasn't in her future? What about Shinomori? The two seemed fine when Tokio and I saw them at dinner last year. Who knows? Now was not the time to ponder the thoughts.

I had a side stop to make on the way to Itachi. I'm sure the icicle would want to know his dear okashira was in trouble. I stopped by the gate and tapped on it. Now to see if Shinomori understands. I'm sure he knows Morse code. 'Itachi. Trouble.' He seems to be reading, but I can tell he's paying attention. He rose from his seat and within seconds he met me at the gate.

"What is it, Saitou?"

"Itachi's been captured." I saw him stiffen and signal for me to lead the way. "Some idiots thought they would kidnap my children. Your okashira somehow got wind of it and trailed them to my house. She managed to keep my children safe, but had to give herself over in the process."

We silently made our way to the trio's hideout. They really were stupid. It was easy to track them down. I peered through a window and noticed Weasel tied hand and foot to a chair.

We stepped through the unlocked front door and the thugs looked up shocked. "Damn cop! One step closer and we kill the girl."

I saw Itachi roll her eyes. Apparently she realized these were idiots too. And then I saw it. She had escaped her hand bindings and was just waiting for an opening. Ever so slowly she reached into the back of her hakama. With a flick of the wrist almost too quick for me to see, she had two of the bandits pinned to the wall.

The third growled low and pulled her roughly up, forgetting her ankle bindings. The chair tipped back and she gave a slight cry. I'm sure at least one of her ankles was sprained from that. The greasy idiot quickly cut the bindings and threw her to the wall. "You bitch!"

He stepped closer to her and I saw Shinomori get ready to move, but the thug turned and Shinomori froze. "I mean it, come closer and the girl dies." He had a dagger pointed directly at her throat, the tip lightly pricking the skin. He yanked her up and got behind her, the dagger laying flush against her.

"Itachi, you're more trouble every time I see you. Not only were you captured, but you were captured by idiots."

"Saitou, I don't really think now is the time to argue." She couldn't keep the exasperation out of her voice. She was just too easy to rile up.

The thug had enough. "Just keep your mouth shut, wench!" He pushed her and slashed the dagger across her back. To her credit, the weasel didn't yell out. Before she could get up, he had grabbed a heavy and loose chunk of wood from the floor next to him and brought it down with all his might against her leg. There was a loud crack and a muffled sob from the small ninja. That leg was definitely broken.

I was ready to kill the bastard and Shinomori had anger rolling off him in waves. "Leave her be. If you wish to fight, then fight me."

Shinomori charged, but the thug quickly grabbed his dagger and in a show of sheer luck, managed to get a slash in on icicle's arm. He didn't have time to revel in it as a kodachi pierced his heart. Shinomori didn't stop at all as he jerked the blade from his victim and turned to look at his okashira.

He rushed to the weasel's side. "Misao! Are you alright?"

She sobbed as she answered. "I th-think my l-leg is b-broken." He tried to lift her, but the position of the arm gash made it impossible.

I sighed. Of course, I would have to carry her. How else would she make my life miserable? I lifted her up, surprised at how tiny and light she was. Despite our feelings of animosity toward each other, she curled against me for protection. Before she passed out, she managed to catch me off guard with her words. "I may not like you wolf, but at least I feel safe here."

I stifled a cough and looked to Shinomori. What was that strange smirk on his face? "We should take her to my house. It's closer and a doctor lives two houses down from me."

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Misao's POV

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I woke up in an unfamiliar room and noticed four faces hovering above me. I could make out Aoshi-sama's and Tokio's relieved faces, Saitou's smirk, and one old man I didn't recognize. I blinked rapidly, trying to get my eyes to focus more. "Where am I?"

The old man spoke. "You're at the Fujita residence. Your injuries are not life threatening, but you will need to remain here until you have healed. The cut in your back should heal quickly, but the broken leg is a complicated break. Too much movement could cause the bone fragments to slip and it would never heal properly."

I frowned immediately. I did NOT want to live with Saitou for who knows how long. Saitou and Aoshi-sama left with the doctor and Tokio stayed with me. Once the men left, she spoke.

"You had us quite worried, Misao." She gave me a light smile and I tried to return it.

"I'm sorry I'll have to inconvenience you for a while." She smiled wider.

"Not at all! Living in a house full of males I could use a little female company for a while!" She giggled lightly and I couldn't help but smile in return.

Saitou and Aoshi-sama returned to the room and Aoshi-sama knelt next to me. "I have to get back to the Aoiya, Misao. I promise to visit regularly." He turned to Tokio and bowed slightly. "Thank you for taking care of her while she's here."

Tokio returned his bow. "I was just telling Misao it would be nice to have some female company. It will be a pleasure to have her here."

Aoshi-sama took his leave. Tokio left so I could rest and Saitou stayed for a second. He looked me over much in the way the bandits had and instead of repulsion, I felt a tingling sensation. WHAT THE HELL? Why is Saitou making me feel this way? I must be delirious from my injuries. I felt my face flush and Saitou smirked at me before he left. Gods, the next few weeks were going to be torture.

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A/N: A few historical and manga tidbits. Okay, Misao was born in November of 1863, so if she's 19 in this chapter, then the year is most likely 1883. (Due to the end of the year birth month.) Saitou (born in 1844) is 19 years older than Misao which makes him 38 in this chapter. The real life Saitou had 3 children. Tsutomu was born in 1876, Tsuyoshi in 1879 and Tatsuo in 1886. Since this is just 1883, Tatsuo doesn't exist and won't. The real life Tatsuo was never raised by Saitou and Tokio anyway. He was adopted by Tokio's family members. Hope you liked and leave a review please! Hugs & Kisses!