Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin.
A/N: Weeeelll, chapter two…. This is only my second fic without a prologue, I've realized. And the first one was a one-shot…. Whatever. (I say that a lot don't I?) Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did writing it!
FYI: If you don't like the pairing, don't read it, and don't send me shit on your reviews telling me that you hate this pairing. I don't care. This is because I like the pairing, and I think it's fun to write.
Winter Moon
Chapter Two
I felt the soft body of the hare go limp in my jaws, tasted the warm blood on my tongue. The warm, coppery liquid tasted like heaven to me. Now, all I had to do was return to Aoshi-sama and show him my kill. My heart lightened considerably, and I turned toward the border again when a sudden low growl made me freeze.
"What are you doing on my territory?"
Misao POV
"I was unaware that this territory had a claim to it," I said, dropping the hare in the snow and choosing my words carefully. I didn't want to make the irate red in front of me any angrier than he already was. I had, after all, trespassed on his land.
"What is your name?" he asked, never dropping his guard, but sounding much friendlier than before.
"Makimachi Misao," I answered without hesitation. I had, luckily, remembered to keep my eyes lowered. I didn't want this wolf to think I was challenging him. But I did look him over, somewhat. He was small; almost as small as I was, and his fur was as red as the hare's blood that was currently staining the snow. Raising my eyes slightly, I caught sight of his face. He had a large cross-shaped scar on his cheek, and his eyes were violet.
I quickly snapped my eyes away from his own, remembering my place.
"You have a pack-scent," he said, almost wistfully. "You should go to them before they worry."
"Hey wait a second," I said, "aren't you going to give me your name?"
He cocked his head to the side slightly. "Himura Kenshin," and with that said, he turned and disappeared into the trees.
I paused for a second, lowering my muzzle and sniffing the area he stood in only moments before. His scent wasn't mixed with the scents of other wolves, meaning he was a loner. I wondered for a moment why I should care, but I quickly shrugged off the thought and picked up my hare, turning to leave lest he return.
Kenshin POV
It had been hours since my encounter with the young, green-eyed wolf, but I found that my thoughts kept wandering back to her. Misao. I knew that the politeness she had shown had been a façade, nothing more. Her ki showed her spirit and liveliness where she herself had tried not to. I couldn't help but feel enticed, strangely attracted to that spirit. I wanted to get to know the real her better.
I gave a slight growl, berating myself. I couldn't get to know her better. She belonged to a pack, a family. There was no place for me there. There was no place for her here, and I needed to remember that.
My paws sank into the thick layer of snow that coated the ground in-between the trees. Looking up, I saw the deep emerald of the evergreen's needles, creating a thick canopy that covered the soft gray-blues of the sky like a blanket. They reminded me of her eyes.
'I've been alone for far too long,' I thought. I didn't like this sudden obsession with the young pack member. It wouldn't do me –or her- any good what-so-ever. I decided to just head to someplace sheltered to sleep. Hopefully I would have forgotten her by morning.
But, as it turned out, sleep didn't come easily, and when it did, it was filled with dreams of forest green eyes.
Misao POV
I had practically run the whole way home, I was so happy. My first hunt had been a success! I couldn't wait to find Aoshi-sama and show him the large hare I had caught. I was disappointed, however.
"Where were you? We expected you back ages ago!" snapped my alpha. He barely even glanced at my catch, as if disregarding all my efforts as nothing. It was degrading to see how he felt, as if I were still a puppy! I was an adult; I didn't need a curfew! You'd think he'd treat me with the respect I deserve.
I dropped the hare, letting its carcass stain the snow red. I narrowed my eyes, looking straight into his own. His icy blue eyes remained emotionless, but his hackles rose in warning.
"You forget your place, Makimachi."
Was that all I was to him? Some lackey to be ordered around? I saw the blood-stained snow out of the corner of my eye, and I couldn't help but remember the sleek red-furred loner. Even he had acted kindlier, and I had been trespassing on his territory! Had I really been so blind to our leader? How could I ever have admired him! Turning away, I growled low in my throat before charging into the trees.
"Makimachi, get back here!"
"Shut it, Shinamori!" I snapped, not wasting my time in glancing back.
Aoshi POV
I paced around the secure clearing the pack was currently located in, awaiting Misao's return. I couldn't help but worry; it was her first time out on her own. She had been gone for hours, and the anxiety that tore through me like claws created frustration, and borne from that frustration was anger.
It seemed to be forever before the young female bounded through the trees, hare clamped proudly in her jaws, but instead of acting like I should have, my growing emotions forced an altogether bad reaction from me.
"Where were you?" I heard myself bark. "We expected you back ages ago!"
Her posture went rigid with displeasure, and she dropped her kill onto the cold, wet ground. Then she raised her eyes, glaring defiantly into my own, and I felt my hackles rise instinctively against the challenge.
Usually, I'm quite good at controlling my emotions, but tonight, my temper controlled my actions twice in the past five minutes and I growled low in the face of her insubordination. "You forget your place, Makimachi."
She was still glaring at me, but this time I could read the emotions roiling within her eyes. Anger and unjust were the strongest and most easily read, but I could see it; the feelings of hurt and of betrayal. Her lips rose, revealing a pearly set of razor sharp fangs, and, snarling, she fled into the trees. The young female that had stolen my heart had just run away with it, mauling it at the same time.
Kenshin POV
I awoke with a start, the sound of running paws loud to my ears. Stretching my jaws wide in a yawn, I rose from my spot beneath the large evergreen tree. I raised my head, letting my muzzle meet the sky, allowing myself to taste the sweet evening air. The wind seemed agreeable, because it accepted my silent demand, bringing forth the scent of my second intruder. I paused upon recognizing the scent as Misao's.
I withdrew my muzzle, settling myself on my haunches in the spot that had been warmed slightly from my slumber. I didn't have to wait long, for a moment later the young she-wolf burst through the trees, looking distracted and confused. She stopped short, though, once she realized exactly where she was.
"Himura-san," she said nervously.
"Makimachi-san."
"I, uh, didn't realize where I was going and I, um…"
"It's alright. But may I ask what has left you so… distraught?" I asked, for lack of better wording.
"I… uh, I…" her paws shuffled in front of her, and she looked really uncomfortable. "Would it be alright if I stayed with you?" she finally blurted.
My eyes widened in surprise, and I realized, suddenly, that I wouldn't mind her presence at all. I had been wishing for it earlier, after all.
"What about your pack? Won't they be missing you?"
"I'm not wanted there," she growled, her entire demeanor going defensive.
I cocked my head to the side, confused at what could have possibly happened to make her leave her family.
After a moment's consideration and a good amount of hesitation I finally relented. "Alright, Miss Makimachi," I sighed, "you can stay."
I looked at her, watching her brighten quite visibly. "Yes! Thank you Himura-san!"
"Call me Kenshin."
"Alright, then, you call me Misao!"
I gave her a toothy, canine grin as she bounced around, her bubbly nature not allowing her to stay down in the dumps for too long.
I couldn't help but wonder if I was just being selfish.
A/N: Dun dunn dunnnn…. What's going to happen between Misao and her pack? Or, more importantly, what will happen between her and Kenshin? Join me in chapter three to find out! Also, I would like to give a special thanks to Unicornfan and her support. I would also like to let her know that I replied to her review on Autumn Moon, just in case she's like me and doesn't check her e-mail. (Sorry if that sounded offensive.) Anyway, please review! Ja ne!