AN: Thank you to the fans of this fic because through your reviewing I felt obligated (guilty) to zap my plot bunnies into life and then beat them into submission. So please know that your reviews do not fall on deaf ears, they actually motivate me to do something about them. Feel loved my dearest reviewers!
Deadlydiva: since I can't ignore my love for alternate pairings, I can only hope to appease your other favs. Haha I'm following the inspired-ness of your inner muse. You're loved and your input and musing-ness keeps me going.
In other news: It was brought to my attention that Saitou was being entirely too soft on the weasel to remain in character. Geez people I've only posted two chapters, give me a break! It takes time to warm up to these things, but don't worry, there will be plenty of fights to be had between the two and this chapter really starts the fire going.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, and this is entirely for my own sheer amusement….and hopefully for yours as well.
Misao nearly jumped out of her skin as her phone set on loud went off. She scrambled for her phone on nightstand, still trying to quelm her fear and the sinking pit she felt in her stomach at being woke up at this ungodly hour.
"Hello?" She answered in a broken voice.
"Good morning, sunshine. It time for you to be up and getting ready. You're expected at the Akabeko in 45 minutes." Aoshi's cheerful voice greeted her.
"What?' Misao asked flatly. First off, Aoshi had absolutely no right even thinking of calling her this early in the morning, much less actually dialing her number and conversing with her and being so damn smug about it. She glanced at her clock. It was 5:00 in the morning. Oh she was going to maim him…
"Yes, that's right, seeing as how you're a waitress you have to pull waitresses hours and actually work for a living. He would get suspicious if you didn't work there, so you'll be working at the Akabeko to keep a lower profile. You should see if you can get Hajime in there for lunch and dig for more information. Good luck Misao." The phone hung up before she could even mutter a reply. She tried to hold on to the anger, but her lack of general awareness ruined it. It was too early for her to register that she should be angry so she managed a groan instead bemoaning her fate. She stumbled out of her bed, her body protesting the cold air that pervaded the apartment. She'd definitely have to talk to Hajime about the temperature. He may enjoy living in a freezer but she sure as hell wasn't about to.
She grabbed a towel, and threw her toiletries in a bag, wiping the sleep out of her eyes. Damn him. He knew she wasn't a morning person and was probably doing this out of spite. While Aoshi had been elected the Okashira, she knew he'd gotten his position underhandedly. Of course the fact that they'd carried on a relationship while she was a junior in high school didn't make the situation any easier. But obviously that wasn't important to him because he'd abandoned her willingly for a job. They were ninja…but even ninja had their loyalties, if only to each other. He'd been a part of Kanryuu's operation, witnessed the murder of their friends, sat back and watched their own groups public disgrace and then disappeared. A year later he'd walked back in as if everything was fine and assumed leadership again. He had been her first love, her first everything. It had left her scarred and embittered. Many things had happened in the time he'd been gone. She was a different person, life had thrown her many a curve ball. But he was the Okashira. She wouldn't contest the will of the collective Oniwaban but she'd be damned if she was going to be happy about it, or him.
Who even got up at this ungodly hour? Morning people. They were always un believably cheerful. Oh gods…. was she expected to be pleasant at this hour? Gah. She opened the door silently, green eyes glancing to and fro for the sleeping cop. He was in his bed, sound asleep. She noticed as she tiptoed past him that he looked peaceful while he slept, his face bereft of it's usual scowl. If only he could be so when he was awake she mused. She quietly shut the door behind her. She set out the things she knew he'd need this morning gauging from his actions last night. She quietly tip toed into the bathroom. She closed the door to the bathroom and turned on the shower. She shed her clothes quickly, realizing she wouldn't have a lot of time to shower. 5:45 in the morning….no one in their right mind would be up this early, she grumbled. It's official. I'm insane…
A golden eye blinked open at the sound of the shower. What time is it? He thought groggily. Ignoring the thought, he rolled over and went back to bed. Later he awoke to the sound of buzzing that meant his alarm was blaring. Stifling a groan the same lazy eye shot towards the alarm clock. His alarm clock read 7:10am. Technically he didn't have to be up yet. Squeezing his eyes shut he bid for the day to go away. His head pounded and ached, a result of too much alcohol the night before. He hadn't felt drunk last night, in fact he'd had perfect control over himself. He'd carried on a full conversation, could remember exactly what he'd said and done. His head told him differently. Or maybe he was just dehydrated. He hadn't had any water last night. He also hadn't had much on his stomach before or after drinking. Groaning, knowing that if was thinking intelligently he more than likely wouldn't be able to go back to sleep.
He rolled over to his bed stand. On the stand were two pills and a bottle of water. Saitou blinked. There was only one other person in the house. Had she left this for him? A note card resided close by. Saitou swallowed the pills and gulped the water down. He was a lot more dehydrated than he thought he was and was grateful for the left goods. He picked up the note card, wincing at the pink color, and the glitter that flaked off on the side.
Saitou,
Figured you might need these this morning. Lunch at the Akabeko?
-Misao-
She worked at the Akabeko didn't she? Saitou sighed and kicked off the covers. He opened the bathroom door, wincing, expecting pink and fuzzy things with ribbons and frills scattered about. He was pleasantly surprised. The bathroom shower curtain was a tasteful black, with bubbles decorating the curtain. The floor mats were black, along with a black tooth brush holder and a black soap dispenser. Her towels hung neatly on the towel rack with room for his, as well as her bathrobe on the back of the hook. Her hair didn't even litter the sink, much less the floor.
Saitou was shocked to say the least. When had she bought this stuff? Maybe it was when he hadn't been paying attention during their shopping escapade. He shivered in remembrance. Never again, not with the petite girl's capacity for shopping. His thoughts returned to the bathroom itself. He was pleasantly surprised. It didn't look like it would be a girl's bathroom at all, much less her choiceof bathroom décor. Did she suddenly develop taste overnight? Of course she had picked out the living room stuff and she hadn't bought anything pink. Or fuzzy for that matter. Perhaps he was being too hasty in his assessments? Perhaps she wasn't the girl he though she was? He stripped down, turning on the shower. A pink Louffa, along with every sort of cleaning product known to the female world resided inside his shower. She'd hung all of her things off a rack from the shower head, and then taken up all the room on the sides with her razor, louffa, shaving gel? Saitou peered at the list of toiletries within his shower marveling at how many different things there were. Liquid moisturizer for her face? Was that mouth wash? In the shower????? Saitou sneered in disgust chucking half of her things out of the shower, his defiant stand made. He had warned her hadn't he? Typical, the moment he gave her any credit she had to ruin it.
Maybe she's a bit unpredictable ne? you used to find that attractive in women…
Saitou sneered at his own mind, rinsing his hair. He did not find her attractive. He did however ponder over the note card she'd left him. If she worked there she might be able to swing a free lunch, something he could desperately use. Hmm…Sure why not? He'd never turn down free food. Of course then he'd actually have to put up with her incessant musings. He wasn't sure what was worse. He turned off the shower and made his way to the laundry machine to get his clean clothes. He was further pleasantly surprised to find both his and her clothes folded on the couch with a smiley note from Misao. She certainly had her uses. Saitou began to second guess his plan of annoying her out of his apartment. After all she was actually meeting her end of the deal and paying his ridiculous price in rent. He grabbed his stack and put them away, changing into the clean clothes. Once he was set, he called the chief to let him know he wouldn't be into work today until later, it being alright with his patrol being shifted later this week. He needed to un-pack and settle into his apartment. He made his way to the kitchen to notice that she'd put up a white board for notes and such. It read as such.
S,
Did you add my name to the lease yet?
-M-
Saitou grimaced. He erased the message. Perhaps he could tell her the office was closed or something. He couldn't add her name to the lease. At least not legally without loosing his own credibility. Knowing her scattered brain and the way she seemed, she'd probably forget. He could only hope that that would be the end of it. He groaned as he picked through his mail. He had bills to pay before he went through and did a thorough unpacking and cleaning of the apartment. He'd have to go to the bank. Perhaps he could swing in earlier to the Akabeko and then do whatever else needed to be done before work. Grabbing his keys making sure he had everything, double checking his badge, he locked the apartment door and made his way off towards his truck.
Misao groaned in aggravation. The last three tables she'd been waiting on had decided not to leave her a tip, plus the other old couple seated at her 4th table, were being snoody. She'd gone running for ketchup, mustard and barbeque sauce as well as refilled their waters they'd ordered twice and the old couple had the audacity to order off the senior menu and SPLIT a morning entree. Her mood was rapidly dwindling as was her patience. Who on earth put that stuff on their eggs in the morning anyhow! Misao glanced out of the kitchen. She'd just been triple sat by their bonehead of a hostess…Glorious….With a grumble and a stiff upper lip, Misao made her way back out with her tray.
Placing the single entrée and the extra plates and silverware they'd asked for, being particularly bubbly and polite to the old couple, she made her way to the server station to pick up silverware and greet her newest tables.
"Hey, you're the new girl right?" a voice came behind her.
Misao turned and realized she had to strain her neck to look up at the guy. Chocolate brown eyes greeted her in a look that would've dazzled most girls, but Misao wasn't particularly impressed. Aoshi was one hell of a good looking guy, even if he was an asshole. After being with such an attractive man, Misao really hadn't found very many who'd measured up to his par excellence. Saitou certainly measured to your standards the other night…Misao ignored that particular thought, returning to the subject specimen at hand. She took in the site of the new person, eyeing him speculatively from head to toe. Crazy brown hair kept out of those eyes by a simple red band around his forehead. Ironically instead of making him appear goofy it only added to his appearance…made him…unique? He was attractive, trim and tan..possibly toned beneath the white button up shirt he wore that was the restaurant employee uniform. Her certainly had the build that meant he worked out enough. His shoes were the regular grease proof slip resistant shoes all servers wore. Her eyes returned to his waist. Khaki pants were hid beneath a surver's apron holding pens, his booklet with paper and pencil ready and what appeared to be a lighter and cigarettes. Typical, who didn't smoke in the restaurant business? She glanced back up into those mahogany brown eyes that glittered now from her inspection. Hmm.. Maybe it was too early to decide.
"Yea, my name's Misao" Misao told him simply, offering a smile.
"Hey honey, we haven't got all morning" an angry shout interrupted their conversation. Misao, ignoring the urge to kunai whoever the bastard was, shot a look at her newest table. Turning her head to muffle a groan and a roll of her eyes, she waved slightly in goodbye and headed to the newest table.
"So sorry sir, what can I get for you this morning?" Misao's falsetto saccharinely sweet voice hurt her own ears, but the man appeared appeased. People were so dense.
Such was the morning until the breakfast crowd died down. Misao didn't have time to worry about the interesting brown eyed boy as she served food, waited on tables, refilled drinks and removed plates. She did however catch his occasional look or goofy lopsided grin he offered her every now and then when they crossed paths. Misao wiped her forehead with her hand with an exasperated sigh as she made her way to clean up her booth as the busser was taking a ten. Gods how the hell had she done this in her youth? She remembered having so much more energy at this point. She hadn't been on the floor long and she was already aching. She knew she was going to hate food service, but it was better than being dead in an alley or what had happened to her at the last apartment…. Misao's eyes took on a haunted look.
"Hello?" the boy whose hair so resembled a rooster said, waving his hand in front of her.
"Huh?" Misao replied, shaking herself out of her stupor. The past was the past.
"You looked like your cat had died or something" He said.
"Haha, No. Just thinking" She replied, hoping her fake smile would convince him to go away, continuing her process of gathering up the cups and scrubbing the table.
"Anyways, we didn't get a chance to meet properly" He said. "I'm Sanosuke Sagara, Sano to my friends" He said flashing a grin and winking at her.
He was flirting with her. Misao wasn't sure from his first impression.
"Well, I already told you I'm Misao" She replied chilly, hoping not to encourage the already eager boy anymore than necessary. He was a coworker and she'd learned painfully that those sort of relationships never worked out well. Or atleast she'd thought she had.
He is cute though…adorably boyish in a goofy awkward sorta way…
Misao brought her thoughts under tight reign rebuking herself.
"Ah, I remembered, Misao chan." Sanosuke told her with a smile.
Misao bristled stiffly. She hadn't been Misao chan since high school.
'Look Sagara-" Misao began with a sigh.
"Sanosuke, Sano for you, though" He replied with a wink again.
"Sano then" She continued on, irritation spreading. It was one thing when he was flirting with her. That in itself was annoying. It was another entire thing when she was actually pondering how cute he was. Only one thing left to do. She had to end the conversation and ignore him. With her frigid look that never ceased to fail when she was trying to get rid of people, she took a deep sigh and turned, facing him.
"Don't you have tables to be waiting on or something? Cuz I'm kinda busy cleaning this table" She said trying to state the obvious to the utterly oblivious rooster haired boy.
"My tables have their food already. Would you like me to help you?" He plastered a cheesy smile, and began clearing the table with her. Misao was thunderstruck. How the hell was he not picking up on her cold shoulder vibes? Blood vessel pounding in her forehead she turned and trudged with her stack of dishes. He turned and followed after her, that stupid grin on his face.
Was this kid dense or something? Ughh…great. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate the flattery of him flirting with her. It was just that Misao didn't need her cover becoming any more complicated than it already was. She made her way to the kitchen and the sink, Sano chatting cheerfully along the way. He didn't notice the way Misao was non too careful with her dishes, or the way she walked away in the midst of his conversation. He simply followed after her with his story. It was official. He was quite possibly the most irritating persistant ass wipe she'd met. And gods he was STILL talking! How the hell had they started this story in the first place? she wondered irritatedly.
As she exited the kitchen, rooster hair trailing her, she saw the beat up truck out there. Great. Just what she needed. Knowing her luck he'd be a lousy tipper.
Misao wiped down the table quickly, Sano excusing himself to go place the checks at his table and collect his own tips which seemed to be plentiful, making Misao even more loathing of the guy. Saitou entered through the door, resplendent in his uniform chatting politely with the hostess. Tae, the owner of the restaurant, was filling in for the ridiculous hostess who was also on her ten, damn it. Never being prone to smoking, Misao found herself wanting the taste of nicotine to remove the headache, and stress she felt coming on. She smiled politely and led him to one of Misao's tables. Misao made her way to the serving station, grabbing her things and meandered on over. Sano grabbed her arm, pulling her off.
"That's Him!" he said pointedly, dragging her back to the station, hiding behind the plant as he peaked out behind it, glaring daggers at her roommate.
"Oww…Sano! That hurt…wait…him who?" She asked, as she glanced around the plant as well. There was no one else to confuse with Sano's glare but Saitou.
"The guy!" Sano exclaimed eyes narrowing in his whisper.
"Who?" Misao asked completely lost, and frustrated that he was refusing to let her go.
"The guy I was telling you about. He's the cop who pulled me over and wrote me a really expensive ticket!"
"Wait a minute…didn't you tell me you cussed him out when he wasn't about to let you get off on a warning" Misao accused, remember briefly what he was telling her. Oh gods…that meant that subconsciously she had been actually paying attention to the guy…geez what's a girl to do when her own subconscious is working against her?
"Yea..but-"
"That's nice, Sano. It doesn't concern me" Misao replied, turning and walking away.
"Wait!" Sano exclaimed, grabbing her arm and pulling her back.
"Will you let me take him?" Sano asked, eyes mischevious, tone downright up to no good.
"No Sano, I don't care what this guy did you're not gonna spit in his coffee or something" Misao replied. His touch wasn't exactly loathing, but firm, his hands calloused. What the hell was she doing, oogling over his touch! She had tables to be waiting on! Oh gods she was gonna get fired for sure, even if this was a job through the Oniwaban. She glanced at her tables. They didn't seem to be noticing her absence fortunately. Now if only she could him to let go of her arm.
"Can't we refuse the right to serve him?" Sano asked.
"You can, but I need the money. Besides, that'd be a little anti climatic and all, since he's my roommate, and I invited him here" Misao said with a grin, waiting for the expression on his face.
"He's your ROOMATE?!" Sano exclaimed, eyes wide. Misao's eyes narrowed. Could he be any louder?
"My God, Sano why don't you just tape a sign on your forehead telling him we're talking about him. Keep your voice down. Yes he's my roommate" She said in a low tone, hoping that her example of calmness would somehow penetrate that thick skull of his. It didn't…
"You're not sleeping with him, are you?" Sano asked, tone horrified and hopeful all at once.
Misao let out a blood curdling snarl. "I swear to God, Sano…that's not of your business and I'm gonna pummel your ass if you don't let go of me this instant… I have tables to serve and tips to-"Misao began.
She was startled when Saitou was standing there next to her. Shocked, embarrassed and startled, she looked back at him again and could only look up at his back.
"Is there a problem?" Saitou said simply, eyes and body movement suggesting that Sano back the hell off and step away. Saitou stood in front of Misao keeping her concealed from the street punk's view. Misao was paralyzed, horrified that such a thing was happening.
"Woaa…it wasn't like that" Sano cried, releasing her instantly hands up in defeat as he backed up. Although chocolate brown eyes still held defiance, he obviously wasn't abusing Misao. Saitou remembered this particular street trash though, had written him a ticket just the other day and doubly fined the bastard for his foul mouth. Misao shook herself out of the paralysis from the narrowed gaze each was exchanging.
"Saitou, Sano was simply telling me a story." She said, forcing him to meet her gaze. "It's alright. Everything is fine.What can I get you to drink in the meantime?" Misao said, hand on his arm as she tried to get Saitou to listen to her.
Saitou shrugged "Coffee is fine" he said, giving one last meaningful glare at Sano while he returned to his seat. Sano made an effort of dealing with his tables before he retreated into the kitchen after Misao.
"Roommate? He's f#$ing crazy!" Sano said. "Are you married or something?"
Misao groaned, wiping her face with her hand in frustration. "Sano, he's just my roommate, not my husband, not my boyfriend, not my friend with benefits. He's not even my love buddy, just my goddamn roommate, who needs his coffee, okay?" Misao explained with very limited patience.
"Damn. Could've fooled me." Sano said right as she was walking out of the kitchen. Her eye twitched and her clenched hand trembled, nearly spilling the coffee she held in the other hand. She'd kill him. Maim him. If there were no witnesses and no evidence no one had to know. Bodies could be hid, witnesses done away with. The Oniwabanshuu could see to it.
She placed the coffee before Saitou, as he looked at his menu.
"I didn't need your help, you know" Misao said tersely, after a moment of silence passed between them.
"Yea, you were doing fabulously on your own" Saitou replied, grabbing the sugar. "And some creamer with said coffee might be nice"
"I sure as hell didn't need you to come in like that. These are my coworkers for pete sakes, Saitou. It's not like anyone's gonna try anything on me here." Misao said, anger from the numerous situations coming out. She didn't need him fighting her battles for her that much was for sure.
"I don't know what you do when on patrol, but this is a restaurant. You look like some creepy stalker or something doing that. It's hard enough explaining to people that you're my roommate without them getting the wrong idea" She snapped, fury giving way.
Saitou glared up at her."You think you need to explain it? How do you think me explaining it to someone looks like? Whatever's crawled up your ass this morning go flush it and then come back. And bring the creamer with you" Saitou said as Misao stormed off.
How dare he! He didn't have the right to talk to her like that! She barely knew him and he was talking to her like some damned subordinate or lackie. Sure she was his roommate and that generally constituted a lack of respect and manners, but he was blatantly disrespecting her. Was it just because they were in a restaurant and around people? Some guys felt the need to be different at home and in social groups? Did he treat all servers like this? Maybe he was mad about being vulnerable last night and was trying to pay her back. Green eyes narrowed. His comments had done more than just sting, they had hurt, and buried themselves like splinters in her skin. What a jerk. Oooooo was everyone just asking for a pummeling today? She came back quickly enough with the creamer.
"Do you know what you want yet" Her icy tone implied her mood and Saitou ignored her for the moment, content with stirring his coffee. Misao began to twitch in irritation if he was just being silent because he was considering or if he was just being an asshole. Misao's patience wore thin and she turned on her heels back towards the kitchen.
"I'd like-" Saitou began, stopping her in her tracks. Misao turned and with a death glare, opened up her note pad and began writing down what he wanted. Slamming the little black wallet shut, she made her way to the kitchen to go place the order, non too thrilled.
After eating, Saitou left his tip and was about to leave when the street trash decided to speak.
"Is that all you're leaving her?" Sano asked with a speculative glance.
"What's it to you, Street trash?" Saitou replied in turn, glaring at the punk before him.
"Look, she's had a rough day, three tables left without tipping her. You can think I'm a perv or a woman beater or whatever, but if she really is your roommate than maybe you shouldn't be such a damn cheapskate." Sano said, not even allowing room for a retort as he made his way back to the kitchen.
Saitou considered. It would explain why she was so grumpy. Women. They always took things so damn personal. She was probably lashing out at him because of it. So she wasn't getting tips huh? Part of him wanted to tell her to suck it up and get over it. The other part was the part that was slightly feeling guilty about all she'd done for him and the way he'd responded to her kindness. Technically she had paid him the money in advance, more than the rent called for even if she had wanted her name on the lease. Shed bought the groceries and all of the detergents and soaps. Shed also paid for the furniture, done laundry and cooked for him. She'd even overlooked the incident last night with the wine. Then there was the aspirin and the water. Begrudgingly, he placed a ten on the table, after all she had paid for a lot these past few days. Besides, if she was in a good mood this evening the more the better for him. He wasn't sure he could live with incessant drama at home, further tempering with his plan to annoy her out of his apartment. Maybe he just needed to scrap the plan and move on…Maybe…he'd think about it some more.
Misao sat back hoping that he'd leave already. She'd dated her fair share of jerks and had lived with the others. Why was it that Misao was such a beacon for terrible men? Was there something wrong with her? Was there some sorta sign on her forehead that told the crappiest men in town to pick her? Misao snuffled, trying to fight the tears she felt coming. She couldn't afford to do this…not right now.
"Misao- Hey!" Sano exclaimed, as he saw the tears in her eyes.
Shit, Misao thought trying to wipe them, and quelm her tears.
"Misao…look I wasn't trying anything pervy…I didn't mean to hurt you or anything back there…I uh…" He stammered, looking down at her.
The tears escaped her and Misao turned away. Brown eyes widened in acknowledgement.
"I'm such an ahou!" He cried enlightened. Misao's eyes widened as arms wrapped around her from behind.
"Look, I don't know if it was what he said or did or if I did something, but I'm apologizing on behalf on mankind here for you." He said, holding her close.
Misao flushed, closing her eyes. His arms were warm, her thoughts mused, betraying her once again. The door opened and Tae appeared.
"Ahem" She coughed.
Sano flushed, and practically threw her away from him. "Tae sama! It's not what you think! Oh god! Don't fire me!" He pleaded.
Tae rolled her eyes. "You still have to pay your tabs, Sagara. Just because you work here doesn't mean I've forgotten." Tae said, offering Misao a warm smile as she passed through the kitchen to her office. Misao averted her gaze, wiping away the tears and taking a deep cleansing breath. Ocean green eyes, now calm and controlled once again turned their gaze upon the rooster, who was stammering again.
"Look Misao chan." Sano began.
"It's. Just. Misao. Okay?" She said, jaw clenched, as she glared up at him.
"Misao then," He gulped, straightening his tie. "Maybe he's just your roommate and maybe he wants more than that. You have to be careful…a pretty girl like you and a bastard like him aren't really a good combination." Sano told her, brown eyes deep in their expression for her concern.
Misao sighed. He was worried for her. Concerned for her. It'd be sweet if she hadn't sworn to ignore and avoid him the rest of her shift. Her untouched anger at all men, all of them from the very beginning of her life till now was the culprit of her spawned response.
"Thanks, but I don't need your help. What the hell is up with guys today? Chivalry is dead in case you haven't noticed. Does the feminist movement ring a bell to you? I didn't need your help and if you ever interfere again, Rooster head, I'll pummel you for the hell of it." Misao replied, eyes deadly serious in their intent. With a sigh she turned her head, braid flipping with her head motion and walked out the doors back to her tables.
"Rooster head?" He said with his lopsided grin. Oh, he liked her, alright.
