((AN: It's been a hard day for me. I'm gonna be SWAMPED with finals this
upcoming weeks *cries* So yea I apologize if updates are few. It's not for
lack of trying I promise! To you faithful reviewers thank you. I appreciate
you! I take time to read each of your reviews and It encourages me and
inspires me to write on. Thank you!
Any questions or comments? E-mail me, Im me, or review me! Clicky my bio! I'd love to hear from you!
Gomen Nasai about Aoshi and Okina. They had to be cruel to fit this situation. I love them both dearly too and it hurts me just to write it! :*(
Buffybot76- You stinkin rock! She's saved my butt in some of the most crucial decisions of this fic. If you haven't read her fics, they're ten times better than mine so go clicky clicky on her name! Mad praise comin your way girl!
Mad love to my friend Feru Sama who told me about poisons and filled me in on the Japanese word for puffer fish, Love ya Feru!
Puffer fish- Fugu))
Tick
Tick
Tick
Misao's eyes fluttered open in a whirly haze. She had no idea where she was, but the light coming from the left was bright. Blinking several times to clear her eyes, she glanced around. She was on a hard and stiff bed. Looking down she was on a board. Sitting up, she realized how injured she was. Biting back a cry of pain, and wiping the tears that came to her face she took another look. SHE was in a JAIL CELL!
For a moment Misao panicked. Then she remembered. Her kunai had permanently shut that man up. Misao flushed in shame, hanging her head. It had been self-defense, she hadn't wanted to kill him, but she had been getting tired, and someone was going to end the fight with another's blood on it. Misao chose to finish it, ending that man's life.
She wiped the tears from her eyes. It was one of the strains of being an Okashira. She remembered her situation and couldn't hold the sob that escaped her. Her own family had disowned her. She could never return to the Aoi-ya. She was stuck in a cold jail cell, knowing nothing about her predicament, or how long she would be kept here for. But they had not stripped her of her title, and she HAD defended the honor of the Oniwabanshuu. She heard the door open.
"Morning Itachi....you realize you've been asleep for the past 3 days right?" Saitou's obnoxiously toned voice greeted her. He sat in a chair and pulled out his cigarettes.
Misao said nothing, bringing her knees up to her chest.
"Defeated already Itachi? I expected more of you than that" Saitou challenge, muffled slightly from the cigarette in his mouth.
Misao gave him a sour look, but still said nothing, knees curled up to her chest.
"Would you like to know your crimes?" Saitou asked her, after a good long drag.
Misao's green eyes flashed blue in fury. She glared at him, eyes narrowed.
Saitou merely laughed.
"Very well then, You are charged with several accounts of illegal street fighting, the men you fought in the marketplace, the alley, and finally the temple. You're charged with deliberate defiance of an officer's orders. The heaviest crime you're charged with is manslaughter at the temple. Then there are some minor offenses."
Misao winced. Saitou eyed her testing her ki. Guilt. She was hurt and moping. Good.
"Nothing to say in your defense Itachi? No sharp pert words on your part about living in a cell the rest of your life?" Saitou asked, waiting for her to answer.
"Good" Saitou replied to her silence and left.
Misao had held the sobs in for quite a while, feeling the terrible lump well up in her throat. Now she couldn't control herself as the tears fell. So terrible! So unbelievable terrible was her situation. The others at the Oniwabanshuu would never pay her bail. Worse still if they did pay it. She'd be an embarrassment and a shame for the rest of her days. She wasn't too much better off here. She would be in jail the rest of her life for that man's death. All for honor. Was it worth it? Was it worth the stain that would mar her for the rest of her life? All for the sake of a title? Misao's parents briefly flickered into her mind.
Yes. Yes it was worth it. Despite the pain, despite loosing her family, the only home she'd ever known, and her pride, it had been worth it. She had honored her dead comrades, her parents, and kept to the traditional ways. Her path had been clear, and she would pay the consequences for it, willingly and in silence.
Saitou could be no less pleased. She was alive in his cell, moping over her current situation. But she wasn't broken.
When he had taken her from the temple she had been badly injured and poisoned. Saitou found that he had to call in some favors from Kyoto citizens he'd known to bring the girl's fever down, and discover the poison. It was an annoyance, but thus far she'd proved to be worth investing in.
She'd been poisoned with Tetrodotoxin, or puffer fish venom. She had been violently shaking, vomiting, with a high fever. The most acute symptom was that she'd shown signs of paralysis. Saitou had scowled on first receiving that news. Not many survived that. He had worried over Itachi those 3 horrifying days, pacing, wondering if she would live or die.
After the first day he had been told that she'd survive. Itachi was a hell of a lot tougher than he'd given her credit for. More and more Saitou realized how much of an asset she could be. He'd discovered something else about the poison from the favors he'd called in. When his friend had finally discovered what the poison was, immediately they had started praying and chanting and all other such fiddle faddle. They had watched over Itachi constantly. Saitou however had gone to do some research.
The puffer fish venom was commonly used on the blades of the fugu bandits, and gang members. They seemed to like to enjoy the pain and torment of the victims, the higher up leaders having higher levels of the venom. Saitou sneered. These fumbling idiots had been the lowest on the list. It hadn't been much venom because she was still alive. Saitou had heard of the fugu clan. They didn't have too much to do in this day and age, and with the Meiji officers effectively working against them, they seemed to all but disappear. Of course there were always corporation businessmen running amuck to cause problems.
Neither or which was Saitou's current dilemma. Misao had no place to turn to. So even if Saitou had felt generous enough to let her go, (which he didn't) she would've been out on the streets. Itachi had proven herself very useful these past few days. She'd been honorable, courageous, and even surprised Saitou by her boldness, and loyalty. She had faced every trial given to her and succeeded. Granted she'd need more training, but that was much easier fixed.
Saitou grinned that wolfish grin he always did, whenever a brilliant idea hit him. He was missing Chou. He didn't have any one competent on the work force. The captain of this office had left him in charge...First however he wanted Itachi to sit in her cell for about a week. To truly think over the things she'd done, and also so that she wouldn't know what Saitou was planning. Saitou's grin widened as he pulled out a cigarette.
One week later
Misao awoke to the terrible smell of smoke. Saitou Hajime sat outside her cell, backwards in a chair, smoking his cigarette. Misao's nose crinkled in disgust, but she said nothing. The week had been long and miserable and truth to tell Misao was glad for any sort of company, even if it was Saitou. Obviously the Oniwabanshuu didn't know where she was, or didn't care seeing as how she'd directly disobeyed their orders. She'd been quite lonely in her cell.
"Morning Itachi, how's the cell?"
"It smells..." Misao replied sullenly.
"Does it now?" Saitou replied, ash falling from his cigarette. Misao glared at him.
"You're not helping Saitou!" Misao cried.
"Oh?" Saitou said, amused.
"I didn't know I was supposed to be helping you. You ARE a criminal" Saitou reminded
Misao said, nothing, but brought her knees up to her chest.
"You can't tell me a week in a cell has put all the fight out of you Itachi?" Saitou said finally.
"Saitou....how long is my sentence?" Misao asked.
"It could be a very long time Itachi......" Saitou replied.
Misao looked up. "Could be?"
"I have an offer to make you Itachi" Saitou said, crossing his arms.
"An offer?" Misao asked.
"Yea. You remember Chou?"
"From the Jupon Gatana?" Misao asked.
Saitou nodded. Misao frowned. What was he suggesting?
"Chou later became my assistant, working under me under the graciousness of the Meiji government."
"What happened to him then?" Misao asked
"He was *regrettably* taken from me for another police force" Saitou answered tersely.
She had to bring up that didn't she?
"Oh." Misao replied, unsure of where this was going.
"I want you Itachi" Saitou said.
Misao's face flushed a very bright red.
"W-what???" She stammered. *Calm DOWN Misao! He doesn't want you *that* way!* she berated herself.
Saitou smirked. "I'm offering you the chance to get out of that jail cell and become my new assistant."
"What's the catch?" Misao asked, and Saitou's opinion of her steadily rose.
"You do everything I say, and cannot go anywhere without me. I'd be acting as your parole officer of sorts. You'd be my responsibility, and my integrity would be on the line for every action you make" Saitou said sharply, eyeing her.
Misao considered. She had nowhere to go. She was in a jail cell. She would get full benefits and even more training. Misao sighed. She had nothing to loose.
"I accept your offer" Misao said solemnly.
Saitou opened her cell door, swinging it wide, only to be glomped off his feet, hitting the floor with a thud by a certain Itachi.
"Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you-"
"Oouf!" Saitou exclaimed, as he hit the floor.
It didn't take him long for his sharp senses to realize just how closely Misao was pressed to him. When Misao had finally stopped her tirade of "appreciation" She too realized, turning a very becoming shade of magenta, how *close* they were. She was laying most *intimately* on top of him, in a fairly compromising position, arms wrapped around her neck.
Amber stared deeply into eyes of ocean green. Misao felt nervous, naked underneath the gaze of such eyes. She tried to shift, in a way that would get herself out of such a predicament, but failed miserably as two long arms snaked around her, and brought her closer. Lips seized her in a seductive, and passionately shared kiss.
She ground against him, with a seductively naïve innocence that made him want to taint it. She had only been trying to move off him, innocently enough. However, Saitou had to stifle a moan. To say he was shocked at his reaction was an understatement, that was about to get worse. His arms stopped her from going any further, snaking around her and keeping her against him. He crushed his lips against hers, needing to know how she tasted, exulting in the kiss, and her innocence, which begged to be touched in the most intimate of ways.
Saitou broke off the kiss, rising up and helping her off of him. Misao's face was flushed, lips agonizingly kiss swollen, and she was out of breath. Saitou found himself gasping from their intimate contact, and to his horror, realized he wanted to taste her again. Saitou berated himself harshly. He was still married to his wife! Despite the fact that she had left him he had no business to be fooling around with Itachi. Oh gods....he would be with her every second of the day! He had no business doing this!
"S-saitou..."Misao asked timidly "What was that?"
"A mistake" Saitou replied harshly. "One that will NOT happen again I assure you" He replied, closing the door and leaving Itachi.
Misao felt the tears rise and fought them lamely. She had been kissed twice. First by her former love, Aoshi Shinomori. He had tried to trick her, his kiss meant to baffle her and render her unawares. That kiss, shared with one Saitou Hajime, had been something else. Something that had awakened a feeling Misao had never known. Misao trembled, remembering his touch, and wondering just what was wrong with her. He'd called it a mistake.
*So why did she long for it again?*
Misao's face flushed with shame. Saitou had been right. She hadn't meant to be in such a compromising situation with him. She'd merely been so happy about being free and having her problems solved by the same answer. She'd simply wanted to show him how grateful and thankful she was.
*You certainly did *that* She berated herself harshly, flushing again at her memory of their contact. OH NO! Saitou was still technically married to his wife! She had....OoooHHHHH! Dishonor! Dishonor and shame come to her! She had kissed someone else's husband! Misao pressed her face into her hands. OOOoooh! This was absolutely terrible! Here Saitou was just trying to be polite and give her work and she had turned it into a terribly awkward situation!
*or was it him?*
No Misao had to stop and think. Had it been him? She could remember the mind-boggling kiss. Misao flushed at the sheer thought. But who had started it? ....Arms snaked around her...HE HAD! Misao was livid. How dare he try to pass off the blame on her! He had started the kiss! And that was mistake?
*Yea HIS mistake* Misao huffed.
She opened the door, intent on Saitou getting the lecture of his life, when she ran smack into one of the other officers. Getting a sickening feeling of Deja vue before her fight she looked up into the brown eyes of a huge officer.
"Ano, Misao san is it?" The man's deep baritone voice asked politely.
"H-hai" Misao replied, awed by how tall and big this man seemed. He was even taller than Aoshi Sama.
"Forgive me" He said helping her to her feet. "My name is Orusen, and I'm to escort you to your new living quarters and such." Orusen said.
"If you would follow me" He asked politely as he opened the door for her. They wandered further up the streets of Kyoto, further north than the police headquarters. In the distance Misao could see a small quaint house.
"Is that where I'll be staying?" Misao asked.
"Hai. The house is owned by our precinct to house our officers. It has a kitchen, and bath, and a decent amount of living space. "Orusen replied.
"Aa." Misao said thoughtfully. The closer she got to it, the more she liked it. It was cozy.
"I trust it's to your liking?" Orusen asked.
"I love it" Misao replied.
"Would you like to see inside the house?"
"Nah, we've got other stuff to do, don't we?" Misao replied "Besides, I'll be living there tonight, I'll see it soon enough"
"Now, we'll need to issue you your office space, guidelines and such, and you'll also be put through a training course, to evaluate where your level of police work will be focused at, and what you need to improve...." Orusen went on and Misao followed him back to headquarters. It would be a looong day!
Saitou sat at his desk, feet up and smoking up a storm. He was a married man...he was a married man! He was a married man!
(AN: I'm so sorry Tokio fans! Please forgive me!)
*emphasis on WAS* his thoughts retorted. *Tokio is as much of a wife as a mare to a-
"This is ridiculous" Saitou said out loud.
He had no business messing with Itachi at all. Their relationship from here on was strictly a working relationship. He was her boss now. Nothing more, nothing less. To be so undisciplined disgusted him. He had no right to react like he had. He would have to work himself twice as hard. How dare he loose focus! He had a job to do. No distractions! No exceptions!
He was representing the head of the police force at the moment, with Kyoto's captain gone. How dare he tarnish the police force with such blatant disrespect. Not to mention the hypocrisy of his own beliefs, stung him severely. Brooding, Saitou continued to suck on his cigarettes, lighting a new one up when the last was ash.
Had Saitou been paying attention to the time he would have realized that SEVERAL hours had passed while he concentrated. His brooding would've continued, only a knock to his door interrupted his thoughts.
"What is it?" Saitou asked.
"It's me Orusen sir, May I come in?" Orusen asked politely.
"Yea" Saitou replied.
Orusen showed remarkable potential. He wasn't a paid policemen. He handled calls and did primarily volunteer work. He had proven himself extremely useful so far. Orusen was a retired policemen, working for the force, out of respect for the police force, and the need for volunteers. Saitou had over looked Orusen in his rants about his incompetent force. Orusen was worth twice to three times what the rest of them were. Orusen now entered with a handful of office items and Itachi trailing behind him with a desk.
"Itachi what the hell do you think you're doing?" Saitou asked harshly.
Misao glared daggers. "I'm moving my stuff in, Right Orusen san?" Misao asked.
Saitou's amber gaze shifted to Orusen. He leaned on his folded hands, elbows on his desk, staring intently at Orusen.
"Hai, Misao san is going to be your new partner in training right? and I couldn't find any other office space for Misao san to work at. I had hoped that she would be able to work in your office. This headquarters is much too small as it is, Goro san. " Orusen replied apologetically.
Saitou merely gazed at him, not saying anything. Misao looked back and forth from the two.
"You got anything to say to that S-Gorou san?" Misao said nearly forgetting to add the last part.
Saitou sighed. "If there's nothing to be done, there's nothing to be done. You're dismissed Orusen"
Orusen bowed formally and left. Misao started to follow him.
"I didn't dismiss you Itachi" Saitou snapped.
Misao stopped and turned, glaring. "Was there something you needed me for?" Misao asked.
"I *am* your superior now Itachi" Saitou informed her.
"That's nice" Misao replied, not liking the sound of where this was going.
Saitou simply stared at her, a slow smirk spreading across his lips.
"We'll see"
"Perhaps we will" Misao replied flatly. "But it's time to leave Saitou"
"What?" Saitou said. "No it's not" he replied hotly.
"Saitou it's almost sun down. All the rest of the officers are leaving, and I still have to settle in to my new quarters." "You don't own anything to settle in Itachi!" Saitou challenged.
"A home is a HOME, and I need to settle INTO it!" Misao said crossing her arms and planting her feet firmly, glaring at him.
Saitou snorted.
"You can do that on your OWN time, Itachi. Right now you're on MY time, and I need you to file these" Saitou motioned to the stack of paperwork.
"W-W-what?" Misao cried, the pile being taller than her. "NO WAY!"
"That was part of the deal Itachi. You file those in that green file cabinet or I'll put you back in the cell and give you further demerits against you" Saitou replied, going back to his paperwork.
Misao glared, but picked up a small stack at a time. Over a process of two hours Itachi had caught up with him, and yawned as she awaited his last few reports. Saitou huffed as he watched her twiddle her thumbs in minor amusement.
"Go home Itachi...to settle or what ever it was you were taking about." Saitou told her, dotting the last t and adding a period to the 2nd to last report.
"Hai Taishou!" Misao perked up brightly. She lamely saluted and was off, the door slamming with a loud bang.
Saitou rolled his eyes. Itachi was quick and diligent at paperwork. Good to know. Now he had to teach her how to fill in the paperwork and he could possibly hand the job off to her. Despite what Orusen had told her, He would be the one to handle her personal training. She needed to learn how to use a sword. Every police officer carried one. Saitou grumbled, annoyed by the thought of having to train her. Chou had come passably skilled enough to defeat his entire police force. Saitou had minor problems with Chou's pride, but nothing that Saitou's sword hadn't settled in minutes.
Now, he'd be teaching her from the start. She probably hadn't a clue on how to hold a sword, much less use one. Saitou groaned. It would be hell the first six weeks. Stretching he realized just how late it was, and how tired he was of sitting. Grunting, he emptied his ashtray, which was overflowing again, and filed the last of the paperwork. Itachi had filed them neatly and alphabetically, straightening the papers before they went in as well. Saitou grinned. At least she was train able.
He looked forward to enjoying his new home, courtesy of the headquarters. They'd supplied him with a home, MUCH better than the shack he'd been staying in, complete with kitchen and bath. Closing the doors and locking the headquarters, Saitou made his way up the streets towards his new home. The officers had deposited his personal belongings in the building for him, a polite gesture, but an annoyance, for surely everything was out of order, and chaotic in appearance. Saitou grumbled, ignoring the hunger in his stomach. He was too tired to worry about food at the moment. He'd have to grab groceries tomorrow.
Once again the fact that Tokio was not present unconvinced him. Oh well. He'd just have Itachi come cook for him in the mean time. That brought a grin to Saitou's face. It'd all work out, but right now he was too tired to care. Upon entering the house he saw things actually fairly neat and tidy. It was a cozy little house. Saitou's room was the immediate left upon entering the house, followed closely by the kitchen and a hallway leading to the bath and another 2 rooms. He entered his own room and he threw off his shoes and shirt, settling into the house.
Shirtless, shoeless and beltless, Saitou wandered down the hall towards the bath. (AN: Oooooo Saitou without a shirt! *drool*) A good long bath was just what he'd need to-
The door opened, revealing a dark longhaired goddess in a very thin and soaking Bathrobe. It clung to her like a second skin, leaving VERY little to imagine. Saitou found he couldn't take his eyes off of her. Ocean green eyes met amber in total shock and confusion.
Misao's petrifying shriek echoed through the halls of the house, and probably through out Kyoto it self.
Any questions or comments? E-mail me, Im me, or review me! Clicky my bio! I'd love to hear from you!
Gomen Nasai about Aoshi and Okina. They had to be cruel to fit this situation. I love them both dearly too and it hurts me just to write it! :*(
Buffybot76- You stinkin rock! She's saved my butt in some of the most crucial decisions of this fic. If you haven't read her fics, they're ten times better than mine so go clicky clicky on her name! Mad praise comin your way girl!
Mad love to my friend Feru Sama who told me about poisons and filled me in on the Japanese word for puffer fish, Love ya Feru!
Puffer fish- Fugu))
Tick
Tick
Tick
Misao's eyes fluttered open in a whirly haze. She had no idea where she was, but the light coming from the left was bright. Blinking several times to clear her eyes, she glanced around. She was on a hard and stiff bed. Looking down she was on a board. Sitting up, she realized how injured she was. Biting back a cry of pain, and wiping the tears that came to her face she took another look. SHE was in a JAIL CELL!
For a moment Misao panicked. Then she remembered. Her kunai had permanently shut that man up. Misao flushed in shame, hanging her head. It had been self-defense, she hadn't wanted to kill him, but she had been getting tired, and someone was going to end the fight with another's blood on it. Misao chose to finish it, ending that man's life.
She wiped the tears from her eyes. It was one of the strains of being an Okashira. She remembered her situation and couldn't hold the sob that escaped her. Her own family had disowned her. She could never return to the Aoi-ya. She was stuck in a cold jail cell, knowing nothing about her predicament, or how long she would be kept here for. But they had not stripped her of her title, and she HAD defended the honor of the Oniwabanshuu. She heard the door open.
"Morning Itachi....you realize you've been asleep for the past 3 days right?" Saitou's obnoxiously toned voice greeted her. He sat in a chair and pulled out his cigarettes.
Misao said nothing, bringing her knees up to her chest.
"Defeated already Itachi? I expected more of you than that" Saitou challenge, muffled slightly from the cigarette in his mouth.
Misao gave him a sour look, but still said nothing, knees curled up to her chest.
"Would you like to know your crimes?" Saitou asked her, after a good long drag.
Misao's green eyes flashed blue in fury. She glared at him, eyes narrowed.
Saitou merely laughed.
"Very well then, You are charged with several accounts of illegal street fighting, the men you fought in the marketplace, the alley, and finally the temple. You're charged with deliberate defiance of an officer's orders. The heaviest crime you're charged with is manslaughter at the temple. Then there are some minor offenses."
Misao winced. Saitou eyed her testing her ki. Guilt. She was hurt and moping. Good.
"Nothing to say in your defense Itachi? No sharp pert words on your part about living in a cell the rest of your life?" Saitou asked, waiting for her to answer.
"Good" Saitou replied to her silence and left.
Misao had held the sobs in for quite a while, feeling the terrible lump well up in her throat. Now she couldn't control herself as the tears fell. So terrible! So unbelievable terrible was her situation. The others at the Oniwabanshuu would never pay her bail. Worse still if they did pay it. She'd be an embarrassment and a shame for the rest of her days. She wasn't too much better off here. She would be in jail the rest of her life for that man's death. All for honor. Was it worth it? Was it worth the stain that would mar her for the rest of her life? All for the sake of a title? Misao's parents briefly flickered into her mind.
Yes. Yes it was worth it. Despite the pain, despite loosing her family, the only home she'd ever known, and her pride, it had been worth it. She had honored her dead comrades, her parents, and kept to the traditional ways. Her path had been clear, and she would pay the consequences for it, willingly and in silence.
Saitou could be no less pleased. She was alive in his cell, moping over her current situation. But she wasn't broken.
When he had taken her from the temple she had been badly injured and poisoned. Saitou found that he had to call in some favors from Kyoto citizens he'd known to bring the girl's fever down, and discover the poison. It was an annoyance, but thus far she'd proved to be worth investing in.
She'd been poisoned with Tetrodotoxin, or puffer fish venom. She had been violently shaking, vomiting, with a high fever. The most acute symptom was that she'd shown signs of paralysis. Saitou had scowled on first receiving that news. Not many survived that. He had worried over Itachi those 3 horrifying days, pacing, wondering if she would live or die.
After the first day he had been told that she'd survive. Itachi was a hell of a lot tougher than he'd given her credit for. More and more Saitou realized how much of an asset she could be. He'd discovered something else about the poison from the favors he'd called in. When his friend had finally discovered what the poison was, immediately they had started praying and chanting and all other such fiddle faddle. They had watched over Itachi constantly. Saitou however had gone to do some research.
The puffer fish venom was commonly used on the blades of the fugu bandits, and gang members. They seemed to like to enjoy the pain and torment of the victims, the higher up leaders having higher levels of the venom. Saitou sneered. These fumbling idiots had been the lowest on the list. It hadn't been much venom because she was still alive. Saitou had heard of the fugu clan. They didn't have too much to do in this day and age, and with the Meiji officers effectively working against them, they seemed to all but disappear. Of course there were always corporation businessmen running amuck to cause problems.
Neither or which was Saitou's current dilemma. Misao had no place to turn to. So even if Saitou had felt generous enough to let her go, (which he didn't) she would've been out on the streets. Itachi had proven herself very useful these past few days. She'd been honorable, courageous, and even surprised Saitou by her boldness, and loyalty. She had faced every trial given to her and succeeded. Granted she'd need more training, but that was much easier fixed.
Saitou grinned that wolfish grin he always did, whenever a brilliant idea hit him. He was missing Chou. He didn't have any one competent on the work force. The captain of this office had left him in charge...First however he wanted Itachi to sit in her cell for about a week. To truly think over the things she'd done, and also so that she wouldn't know what Saitou was planning. Saitou's grin widened as he pulled out a cigarette.
One week later
Misao awoke to the terrible smell of smoke. Saitou Hajime sat outside her cell, backwards in a chair, smoking his cigarette. Misao's nose crinkled in disgust, but she said nothing. The week had been long and miserable and truth to tell Misao was glad for any sort of company, even if it was Saitou. Obviously the Oniwabanshuu didn't know where she was, or didn't care seeing as how she'd directly disobeyed their orders. She'd been quite lonely in her cell.
"Morning Itachi, how's the cell?"
"It smells..." Misao replied sullenly.
"Does it now?" Saitou replied, ash falling from his cigarette. Misao glared at him.
"You're not helping Saitou!" Misao cried.
"Oh?" Saitou said, amused.
"I didn't know I was supposed to be helping you. You ARE a criminal" Saitou reminded
Misao said, nothing, but brought her knees up to her chest.
"You can't tell me a week in a cell has put all the fight out of you Itachi?" Saitou said finally.
"Saitou....how long is my sentence?" Misao asked.
"It could be a very long time Itachi......" Saitou replied.
Misao looked up. "Could be?"
"I have an offer to make you Itachi" Saitou said, crossing his arms.
"An offer?" Misao asked.
"Yea. You remember Chou?"
"From the Jupon Gatana?" Misao asked.
Saitou nodded. Misao frowned. What was he suggesting?
"Chou later became my assistant, working under me under the graciousness of the Meiji government."
"What happened to him then?" Misao asked
"He was *regrettably* taken from me for another police force" Saitou answered tersely.
She had to bring up that didn't she?
"Oh." Misao replied, unsure of where this was going.
"I want you Itachi" Saitou said.
Misao's face flushed a very bright red.
"W-what???" She stammered. *Calm DOWN Misao! He doesn't want you *that* way!* she berated herself.
Saitou smirked. "I'm offering you the chance to get out of that jail cell and become my new assistant."
"What's the catch?" Misao asked, and Saitou's opinion of her steadily rose.
"You do everything I say, and cannot go anywhere without me. I'd be acting as your parole officer of sorts. You'd be my responsibility, and my integrity would be on the line for every action you make" Saitou said sharply, eyeing her.
Misao considered. She had nowhere to go. She was in a jail cell. She would get full benefits and even more training. Misao sighed. She had nothing to loose.
"I accept your offer" Misao said solemnly.
Saitou opened her cell door, swinging it wide, only to be glomped off his feet, hitting the floor with a thud by a certain Itachi.
"Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you-"
"Oouf!" Saitou exclaimed, as he hit the floor.
It didn't take him long for his sharp senses to realize just how closely Misao was pressed to him. When Misao had finally stopped her tirade of "appreciation" She too realized, turning a very becoming shade of magenta, how *close* they were. She was laying most *intimately* on top of him, in a fairly compromising position, arms wrapped around her neck.
Amber stared deeply into eyes of ocean green. Misao felt nervous, naked underneath the gaze of such eyes. She tried to shift, in a way that would get herself out of such a predicament, but failed miserably as two long arms snaked around her, and brought her closer. Lips seized her in a seductive, and passionately shared kiss.
She ground against him, with a seductively naïve innocence that made him want to taint it. She had only been trying to move off him, innocently enough. However, Saitou had to stifle a moan. To say he was shocked at his reaction was an understatement, that was about to get worse. His arms stopped her from going any further, snaking around her and keeping her against him. He crushed his lips against hers, needing to know how she tasted, exulting in the kiss, and her innocence, which begged to be touched in the most intimate of ways.
Saitou broke off the kiss, rising up and helping her off of him. Misao's face was flushed, lips agonizingly kiss swollen, and she was out of breath. Saitou found himself gasping from their intimate contact, and to his horror, realized he wanted to taste her again. Saitou berated himself harshly. He was still married to his wife! Despite the fact that she had left him he had no business to be fooling around with Itachi. Oh gods....he would be with her every second of the day! He had no business doing this!
"S-saitou..."Misao asked timidly "What was that?"
"A mistake" Saitou replied harshly. "One that will NOT happen again I assure you" He replied, closing the door and leaving Itachi.
Misao felt the tears rise and fought them lamely. She had been kissed twice. First by her former love, Aoshi Shinomori. He had tried to trick her, his kiss meant to baffle her and render her unawares. That kiss, shared with one Saitou Hajime, had been something else. Something that had awakened a feeling Misao had never known. Misao trembled, remembering his touch, and wondering just what was wrong with her. He'd called it a mistake.
*So why did she long for it again?*
Misao's face flushed with shame. Saitou had been right. She hadn't meant to be in such a compromising situation with him. She'd merely been so happy about being free and having her problems solved by the same answer. She'd simply wanted to show him how grateful and thankful she was.
*You certainly did *that* She berated herself harshly, flushing again at her memory of their contact. OH NO! Saitou was still technically married to his wife! She had....OoooHHHHH! Dishonor! Dishonor and shame come to her! She had kissed someone else's husband! Misao pressed her face into her hands. OOOoooh! This was absolutely terrible! Here Saitou was just trying to be polite and give her work and she had turned it into a terribly awkward situation!
*or was it him?*
No Misao had to stop and think. Had it been him? She could remember the mind-boggling kiss. Misao flushed at the sheer thought. But who had started it? ....Arms snaked around her...HE HAD! Misao was livid. How dare he try to pass off the blame on her! He had started the kiss! And that was mistake?
*Yea HIS mistake* Misao huffed.
She opened the door, intent on Saitou getting the lecture of his life, when she ran smack into one of the other officers. Getting a sickening feeling of Deja vue before her fight she looked up into the brown eyes of a huge officer.
"Ano, Misao san is it?" The man's deep baritone voice asked politely.
"H-hai" Misao replied, awed by how tall and big this man seemed. He was even taller than Aoshi Sama.
"Forgive me" He said helping her to her feet. "My name is Orusen, and I'm to escort you to your new living quarters and such." Orusen said.
"If you would follow me" He asked politely as he opened the door for her. They wandered further up the streets of Kyoto, further north than the police headquarters. In the distance Misao could see a small quaint house.
"Is that where I'll be staying?" Misao asked.
"Hai. The house is owned by our precinct to house our officers. It has a kitchen, and bath, and a decent amount of living space. "Orusen replied.
"Aa." Misao said thoughtfully. The closer she got to it, the more she liked it. It was cozy.
"I trust it's to your liking?" Orusen asked.
"I love it" Misao replied.
"Would you like to see inside the house?"
"Nah, we've got other stuff to do, don't we?" Misao replied "Besides, I'll be living there tonight, I'll see it soon enough"
"Now, we'll need to issue you your office space, guidelines and such, and you'll also be put through a training course, to evaluate where your level of police work will be focused at, and what you need to improve...." Orusen went on and Misao followed him back to headquarters. It would be a looong day!
Saitou sat at his desk, feet up and smoking up a storm. He was a married man...he was a married man! He was a married man!
(AN: I'm so sorry Tokio fans! Please forgive me!)
*emphasis on WAS* his thoughts retorted. *Tokio is as much of a wife as a mare to a-
"This is ridiculous" Saitou said out loud.
He had no business messing with Itachi at all. Their relationship from here on was strictly a working relationship. He was her boss now. Nothing more, nothing less. To be so undisciplined disgusted him. He had no right to react like he had. He would have to work himself twice as hard. How dare he loose focus! He had a job to do. No distractions! No exceptions!
He was representing the head of the police force at the moment, with Kyoto's captain gone. How dare he tarnish the police force with such blatant disrespect. Not to mention the hypocrisy of his own beliefs, stung him severely. Brooding, Saitou continued to suck on his cigarettes, lighting a new one up when the last was ash.
Had Saitou been paying attention to the time he would have realized that SEVERAL hours had passed while he concentrated. His brooding would've continued, only a knock to his door interrupted his thoughts.
"What is it?" Saitou asked.
"It's me Orusen sir, May I come in?" Orusen asked politely.
"Yea" Saitou replied.
Orusen showed remarkable potential. He wasn't a paid policemen. He handled calls and did primarily volunteer work. He had proven himself extremely useful so far. Orusen was a retired policemen, working for the force, out of respect for the police force, and the need for volunteers. Saitou had over looked Orusen in his rants about his incompetent force. Orusen was worth twice to three times what the rest of them were. Orusen now entered with a handful of office items and Itachi trailing behind him with a desk.
"Itachi what the hell do you think you're doing?" Saitou asked harshly.
Misao glared daggers. "I'm moving my stuff in, Right Orusen san?" Misao asked.
Saitou's amber gaze shifted to Orusen. He leaned on his folded hands, elbows on his desk, staring intently at Orusen.
"Hai, Misao san is going to be your new partner in training right? and I couldn't find any other office space for Misao san to work at. I had hoped that she would be able to work in your office. This headquarters is much too small as it is, Goro san. " Orusen replied apologetically.
Saitou merely gazed at him, not saying anything. Misao looked back and forth from the two.
"You got anything to say to that S-Gorou san?" Misao said nearly forgetting to add the last part.
Saitou sighed. "If there's nothing to be done, there's nothing to be done. You're dismissed Orusen"
Orusen bowed formally and left. Misao started to follow him.
"I didn't dismiss you Itachi" Saitou snapped.
Misao stopped and turned, glaring. "Was there something you needed me for?" Misao asked.
"I *am* your superior now Itachi" Saitou informed her.
"That's nice" Misao replied, not liking the sound of where this was going.
Saitou simply stared at her, a slow smirk spreading across his lips.
"We'll see"
"Perhaps we will" Misao replied flatly. "But it's time to leave Saitou"
"What?" Saitou said. "No it's not" he replied hotly.
"Saitou it's almost sun down. All the rest of the officers are leaving, and I still have to settle in to my new quarters." "You don't own anything to settle in Itachi!" Saitou challenged.
"A home is a HOME, and I need to settle INTO it!" Misao said crossing her arms and planting her feet firmly, glaring at him.
Saitou snorted.
"You can do that on your OWN time, Itachi. Right now you're on MY time, and I need you to file these" Saitou motioned to the stack of paperwork.
"W-W-what?" Misao cried, the pile being taller than her. "NO WAY!"
"That was part of the deal Itachi. You file those in that green file cabinet or I'll put you back in the cell and give you further demerits against you" Saitou replied, going back to his paperwork.
Misao glared, but picked up a small stack at a time. Over a process of two hours Itachi had caught up with him, and yawned as she awaited his last few reports. Saitou huffed as he watched her twiddle her thumbs in minor amusement.
"Go home Itachi...to settle or what ever it was you were taking about." Saitou told her, dotting the last t and adding a period to the 2nd to last report.
"Hai Taishou!" Misao perked up brightly. She lamely saluted and was off, the door slamming with a loud bang.
Saitou rolled his eyes. Itachi was quick and diligent at paperwork. Good to know. Now he had to teach her how to fill in the paperwork and he could possibly hand the job off to her. Despite what Orusen had told her, He would be the one to handle her personal training. She needed to learn how to use a sword. Every police officer carried one. Saitou grumbled, annoyed by the thought of having to train her. Chou had come passably skilled enough to defeat his entire police force. Saitou had minor problems with Chou's pride, but nothing that Saitou's sword hadn't settled in minutes.
Now, he'd be teaching her from the start. She probably hadn't a clue on how to hold a sword, much less use one. Saitou groaned. It would be hell the first six weeks. Stretching he realized just how late it was, and how tired he was of sitting. Grunting, he emptied his ashtray, which was overflowing again, and filed the last of the paperwork. Itachi had filed them neatly and alphabetically, straightening the papers before they went in as well. Saitou grinned. At least she was train able.
He looked forward to enjoying his new home, courtesy of the headquarters. They'd supplied him with a home, MUCH better than the shack he'd been staying in, complete with kitchen and bath. Closing the doors and locking the headquarters, Saitou made his way up the streets towards his new home. The officers had deposited his personal belongings in the building for him, a polite gesture, but an annoyance, for surely everything was out of order, and chaotic in appearance. Saitou grumbled, ignoring the hunger in his stomach. He was too tired to worry about food at the moment. He'd have to grab groceries tomorrow.
Once again the fact that Tokio was not present unconvinced him. Oh well. He'd just have Itachi come cook for him in the mean time. That brought a grin to Saitou's face. It'd all work out, but right now he was too tired to care. Upon entering the house he saw things actually fairly neat and tidy. It was a cozy little house. Saitou's room was the immediate left upon entering the house, followed closely by the kitchen and a hallway leading to the bath and another 2 rooms. He entered his own room and he threw off his shoes and shirt, settling into the house.
Shirtless, shoeless and beltless, Saitou wandered down the hall towards the bath. (AN: Oooooo Saitou without a shirt! *drool*) A good long bath was just what he'd need to-
The door opened, revealing a dark longhaired goddess in a very thin and soaking Bathrobe. It clung to her like a second skin, leaving VERY little to imagine. Saitou found he couldn't take his eyes off of her. Ocean green eyes met amber in total shock and confusion.
Misao's petrifying shriek echoed through the halls of the house, and probably through out Kyoto it self.