Feedback: ScriptAngel - Thank you for your review. I am always pleased to hear from you. :3
ryokaori11 - I am so sorry for the delay in updating this story. But I thank you for your patience. And hopefully, you will like this chapter. Thank you for your kind words. :)
Someone, Someone & Aditi Bala - Hello. Firstly, I am sorry for not replying sooner. But it isn't possible for me to reply to guest reviews. Even if I am not updating the stories, I make sure to reply the Private Messages from this site. If you like, you can get in touch with me through that. Secondly, I understand your frustration. I too am getting a little bored with these characters. Truth be told, I can't find any inspiration to write fanfiction anymore, may it be City Hunter or The Mentalist. I can't assure you that I will be writing another fanfic or completing this story soon. Sorry. But thank you for your feedback. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own City Hunter or its characters.

SINCE I SAW HER STANDING THERE

Chapter: 9

When Saki came down for breakfast in the morning, she was not surprised that Madam Onoda was still asleep. She was alone when Sakura had left for baseball practice and Aimi came downstairs with Hikoro.
"Hey, sexy. Why the sad face?", Aimi asked.
Saki found the morning bun of her hair and the unpainted skin endearing. She smiled,
"It's nothing. Good morning, Hikoro"
"Good morning, Auntie", he rubbed his eyes.
Aimi sighed and called,
"Hina!"
Hina came in quick as always. Aimi pointed to her son,
"Take him to the kitchen with you. Feed him there"
"Hikoro wants to sleep!", he whined in third-person.
Aimi said,
"Yeah, and Mommy wants to be Miss Universe. Finish your breakfast in the kitchen. Hisame has a treat for you, go"
That made him dash for the kitchen quarters. When Hina and Hikoro were gone, Aimi poured herself a glass of orange juice.
"So, what is it? Missing him too much?", she asked.
"No. Well, yes"
"I knew it", Aimi smirked, "I knew you'd come around. You can't resist Onoda men. They're such charming bastards"
Saki sipped from her cup of tea and said,
"There is something else which is bothering me"
"What's that?"
Memories of the assault flashed through her mind and Saki felt revolted again. That prickly feeling on her lips wouldn't go away.
"At the party yesterday, a man assaulted me"
Aimi's eyes enlarged and she put down her food,
"What do you mean? And why didn't you tell me last night?"
"You were asleep. And Madam Onoda went to bed early because she had a headache. There was no one to tell"
"Oh Saki, I am so sorry", Aimi reached for her hand and held it, "What happened? I mean, what did that motherfucker do?"
"He forcibly kissed me. I had to hit him to save myself"
"You didn't tell anyone?"
"No. I think I should ask Madam Onoda before getting the police involved"
"Why do you want to ask that hag? You were her responsibility and she came home early because of one of her sex-deprivation headaches? Screw her, I say"
"Aimi", Saki held her hand now, "Don't talk like that. She's our mother-in-law. And she just wanted to introduce me to her friends. She can't help it if she gets a headache. Besides, I am not a ten-year old whom she was supposed to babysit at the party"
Aimi shrugged one shoulder in contempt and forced food into her mouth.
"What did that creep look like?"
Saki wished to lift the scowl off her best friend's face. She said,
"I think he was an escort"
Aimi emptied her glass of juice in one go.
"A gigolo? Wait. Was he Madam Onoda's?"
"I don't know. But his behavior and appearance was exactly like what you had told me"
"Damn it. I should have been there", she groaned.
Saki had finished her breakfast and was about to get up when Aimi asked,
"Other than the kissing, he didn't try to… you know"
Saki admitted after a pause,
"I think he would have. He was forcing himself on me and if I hadn't gotten away, maybe he would have raped me"
"Oh God", Aimi went to her chair, "Come here. Give me a hug"
Saki did and smiled over Aimi's shoulder. Aimi said,
"I am so glad you're okay"
"Me too"
"Talk to that bitch when she wakes up, alright?"
Saki grinned, only because Aimi couldn't see her doing it.
"I will"

Madam Onoda did not come out for breakfast till Saki was gone. Saki told herself she would broach the subject when she got home from work. At the end of the day, a tense atmosphere in the Onoda Mansion greeted her.
"Good eve…"
The former beauty queen stomped her foot as she got off the couch and strode towards her room. Saki stood astonished in the doorway at this errant behaviour.
"Hina!"
Hina came running at the sound of her mistress's voice and stood before her. Madam Onoda snapped,
"Don't let that woman anywhere near me, do you hear?"
"Yes, Madam"
When the old woman had slammed the door to her bedroom shut, Hina came to Saki. Her tone was apologetic.
"Saki-san, please don't mind Madam. She gets rather difficult sometimes"
"Why is she angry with me?"
"I don't know, sorry. It is possible that she is angry with you for no particular reason. She tends to do that sometimes. We just have to humour her"
"Okay. Thank you, Hina"
She tried to make some sense of her stepmother-in-law's ridiculous contempt and headed for the stairs.
"Saki-san?"
Hina was standing behind her with a small smile. She seemed friendlier than usual when she said, obviously trying to make Saki feel better,
"Cheer up. Onoda-sama will be home tonight"
Saki felt a sudden joy booming within her, like a soaring bird's throbbing heart. Hina stared at her with an astounded smile. Saki knew the reason behind that expression soon enough; she was grinning ear to ear like a new bride and Hina seemed fascinated by it.
"Thank you for reminding me"
She was still smiling when she walked into the bedroom and threw herself on the bed.

'I am going to see her. Five days, god damn it'
Tsuyoshi Onoda was sitting across his step-brother in the white limousine that was taking them home. His fingers were curled around his chin as he sat looking outside the darkened window. A rare thoughtful smile had its secure place on his face and he reveled in the memory of a particular woman's warmth.
"Hi, darling, it's me. Yes. We're heading home now"
Tadashi was speaking on the phone. Frowning and pouting too.
"Aren't you supposed to be at home to welcome me? Wha… wait. No, no! Oh come on, baby, that's not what I meant. Bae-babe… Aims, come on!"
Tsuyoshi stopped smiling and turned away from the window.
"I love you!"
Tadashi hung up the phone and looked at his brother with a sigh.
"Can you believe it? She got pissed because I wanted to find her at home when I came"
"You said she was supposed to be at home to welcome you"
"So what? I didn't mean it like that!"
"People hear what they want to hear. Hence, it is wise to choose your words carefully"
Tadashi leaned against the seat and adjusted his glasses.
"Easy for you to judge me. Saki-san barely goes anywhere outside of work. Your heart is probably doing somersaults at the prospect of seeing her waiting for you in your room"
'Jumping jacks and trapeze leaps, not just somersaults'
"Home sweet home, Sirs", the driver stopped the car.
The servants had gathered on one side of the vehicle. While Tsuyoshi inquired about their well-being one by one, Tadashi was already up the stairs and into the house. Just when he thought he could go in to his beautiful wife, Tsuyoshi's cell phone rang and the voice message made him grimace.

Saki was sitting in her study, looking at the clock from time to time, then looking at her wedding picture with Onoda-san on the wall. It seemed like the wait was churning her stomach from within.
'I am so pathetic'
She went back to reading a student's assignment when the lights from a vehicle in the mansion flitted across her window. The curtain was lifted aside by her, and standing there, Saki saw him step out of the limousine and shake hands with the servants. With a smile that would put Tokyo lights to shame, she watched him from the window as long as he was in sight. She rushed out of their rooms and stood just above the stairs, almost breathless as she waited for him to walk through the door.
"Daddy!"
Sakura and Hikoro hugged their father tight, who looked dumbstruck to say the least. He stared at Aimi, who grinned and waited for him to speak.
"You… you said you were at Kiriko-san's!"
"Well, surprise, silly!", she laughed.
The family of four climbed the stairs and Tadashi spoke to Saki before going into his and Aimi's rooms.
"He's right outside. And don't look so pretty. He'll have a heart attack"
Saki laughed mutely and watched them disappear into the room. Her pulse had reached her throat.
"…and pack right away. If Miss Saki tries to help, don't let her"
She wanted to run into his arms but her feet were unbearably heavy at sudden. Her handsome husband, tall and a little tanned, ordering a servant about and loosening his tie with one distracted hand, stood at the bottom of the stairs and looked up at her. The way his eyes glazed over and the corners of his mouth lifted into a scintillating smile on seeing her, Saki cared not at all about who would be kissing whom first. She had to hold the railing with both her hands, as she walked down each step, with her eyes fixed fondly on him.
"Thank God, you're here, boy!"
Now Saki realized why Aimi hated their mother-in-law so much.
"Mother", he seemed annoyed to have to look away from her.
Madam Onoda rose on her feet and Onoda-san leaned to hug her. She shoved a newspaper in his hands and said furiously,
"See this! And ask your precious wife what this means!"
Onoda-san unfolded the paper and read. Saki felt cold to the very pit of her stomach on seeing him scowl at the lines. Madam Onoda was in hysterics.
"Do you have any idea how many calls I have received about this? I won't be able to show my face anywhere! What have you brought on our family's reputation, boy?!"
He wouldn't look at her anymore. Instead, he said in a particular stern voice.
"I will handle this, Mother. Go to bed. Get some rest"
"Handle this? Handle THIS?! How? You need to ask her what this means!"
"What is there to ask? Clearly, she was assaulted. I am going to find the one who had the audacity to touch my wife. You can go to your room now, Mother"
"Read the headline!", she shouted, "It says, 'Mrs. Onoda's Saucy New Scandal'!"
"I said I'll take care of it. Hina!", he said, "Take her to her room. Call a doctor if needed"
Saki stood on the staircase, stunned and anxious as to what could possibly have destroyed her happy reunion with Onoda-san. He came to her and showed her the newspaper. It was a local scrap of celebrity gossip. And in a corner on the front page was a picture of her being kissed by the brute from yesterday's party. Saki shook as the hot tears rolled over her cheeks and tried to explain.
"Hush. Come with me"
Onoda-san laid a hand on her back and ushered her upstairs in their room. Saki went straight to the bedroom and sat on the bed. The shame was too much to bear. She covered her face with her hands and cried. Her grandparents would have died again if they had lived to see that.
"Miss Saki? Look at me"
She wiped her tears with her hands before putting them on her lap in tight fists. Onoda-san was kneeling before her by the bed and looking at her hopefully.
"Tell me everything from the beginning"
Saki calmed down a little. There was no anger, disdain or even doubt in his voice. Not everyone in the world had someone who trusted them so blindly.
"I went to a party yesterday evening with your stepmother. I went to the balcony to get some fresh air and a man tried to talk to me there. When I wouldn't drink with him or wait to chat with him, he pushed me into a storeroom and forced himself upon me. He was kissing me and... it was disgusting. I had to kick him before he did something even horrifying. I ran downstairs but your stepmother had gone home. Her friend, the host of the party, sent me back here in her car. I tried to tell Madam Onoda but she was in her room all night and all morning. I-I swear I was going to tell her. I was going to tell you. I don't know who he is. Believe..."
"Sshh"
She controlled her sobbing as he sat beside her on the bed. Her well of tears dried when she found him holding her hand. He was speaking softly, like they were not alone in the room and someone would hear them.
"I am sorry I was not here last night"
"It's fine. You were working"
"Yes", he said and she caught her breath at his melancholy voice, "Work. Listen, I... have to go to Hokaido tonight. There has been a situation in our factory there"
"Tonight?"
"Right now, actually"
She gave him an incredulous look. His face showed signs of remorse but not enough for her to take pity on him.
"When will you be back?"
"Tomorrow evening, I hope. I am sorry"
"Don't be"
"I promise you – things will be different once I retire next week. We will have plenty of time for each other"
"Okay"
"And I promise you this as well, whoever is behind this defamation and assault will pay. I won't let them get away with slandering you"
"I know"
He let go of her hand and stood before her. Saki wanted to pull that hand back on hers. His touch had made her forget that ghastly prickling of her lips. Now it was back.
"Meanwhile, if there is anything I can do for you..."
This warmth, this heat... it was pulsing within her.
"...you'll let me know"
Onoda-san said so and turned to go into his study. Saki grabbed his coat sleeve near the wrist and held him in place. She breathed slowly and looked up at his face. He glanced from her face to her fingers on his sleeve. Her voice croaked a little.
"Kiss me"
The full impact of what she said hit her when her dear Onoda-san's eyes became darker than they already were. Blushing and letting go off him, Saki tried to sneak past him into her study to shut herself there. But he pulled her back by her wrist and held her waist as she faced him, scared and flushed beyond recall. His grip, which had once or twice made her wince in pain, was now gentle and carefree, as if he knew she couldn't escape him anymore. She closed her eyes, timid and trembling at the intensity in his gaze, and tried to still her beating heart by inhaling the fragrance of his cologne. When his lips touched hers, Saki shut her eyes tighter and whimpered. He teased her mouth open with the tip of his tongue and she gave in. He kissed her like he didn't have a plane to catch, like he was in no hurry. He kissed her like they were eternal. Saki kissed him back, never thinking once about making it good for him. She cared simply about devouring his mouth, memorising the feel and taste of him for yet another torturous night they would have to spend apart. Not that she would ever tell him so, but from the way her body was reacting, Saki knew she was going to touch herself with him in mind that night.
He breathed down on her neck when their mouths parted, cooling the fresh sweat on her skin with his warm breath. She shivered somewhere else too. Saki looked down and realized Onoda-san had unbuttoned her dress while they were kissing. She blushed again at the sight of her lush green bra nestled between her white skin and white dress. With their temples touching, she knew he was looking where she did not want him to.
"Green", he said, "Like the dress you wore when we danced"
Her reply never came. His strong hands were on her hips one second and the next second Saki was thrown on the bed. She stared at him and deftly tried to cover her half-bare torso. Like a tiger on his prey, Onoda-san was above her on the bed. Digging his hands on both sides of her into the mattress, he took his time in letting his eyes travel from the green of her brassiere to the white of her dress where the buttons ended and the skirt began.
"Oh!"
It was too much - warm where his lips touched her skin and too cold where they didn't. He moved upon her, taking all his time, leisurely, seductively. The first of his teasing kisses was on her stomach; she sucked it in, shocked, when his lower lip grazed her navel. He seemed to have found that hilarious for some reason and smiled against her taut skin, landing wet open-mouthed kisses upwards. Saki shuddered at how his hands gently pushed her dress upwards along her thighs, exposing them to the cold. The soft tingling of the fabric against her skin made her speechless. She pressed her thighs tight against each other, embarrassed at how well he was pushing her buttons.
"Hmm"
He stopped his trail of kisses on reaching the under-strap of her bra and raised his head. Saki searched for that predatory look in his eyes, but it had disappeared. There was only love and longing. She tried to reach for his mouth when he pulled up and bent to kiss her again, but his damn cell phone rang. She heard Onoda-san sigh.
"Sorry. I must take this"
He walked away from the bed and answered the call. Saki sat up, fell back on the bed once, then sat up again. She held the unbuttoned ends of her dress together with one hand and watched him. His eyes drifted from her face to her middle. She saw him staring there for a while before he shook his head and turned his back to her.
"I'm on my way. Tell Mitsuba I need updated employee records when I get there. Yes"
He hung up and Saki got off the bed. She began to button her dress, wanting to sigh and complain. He looked like he expected her to say something.
"Will you be able to catch your flight?"
"I'm flying out in Tadashi's jet. Listen"
His hands were on her shoulders but she did not look up. His clear, deep voice filled her heart with a soon-to-come longing.
"I wish I could stay. You know that"
She nodded. He paused for a minute before saying,
"When I get back..."
She froze.
"...we'll pick up where we left off"
He kissed her cheek,
"I'll see you soon, Miss Saki"
She watched him walk out of the room, out of the house, and watched the car take him away from her.

A/N: The next update might be a bit late. Apologies. :(