AN: Because I love fantasy, redheads and bad-ass women. Also, for some reason I am liking the idea of Kenshin with a braid.

Still working on next part of Encounters between finals; this was just a bug that would not go away before I went to bed.

Warnings: Some Language.

Amber & Jasmine

2. Merchant

XX

Saying the Red Road was long was equivalent to saying snow was cold, or the sun was hot. It was a given. It served as a connector between the three major trade cities throughout the land, and got its name for the red pigment in the soil. During the sunset, the road seemed to almost glow in similar hues.

That said, it was hardly midday, the sun was not quite at its peak, and so the road was nothing but a reddish brown, and not so alluring. It was a well-traveled route, and while it was not uncommon for passersby to cross, one still had to be careful.

Thieves were aplenty on a route that connected trade cities, and highway robbery was as common as the oak trees that occupied the wood.

Kaoru smiled to herself, watching her current target. Some people just did not learn. Or were simply big risk-takers. Regardless, this tiny little merchant hiking along the road would be easy pickings. She had no idea what he sold, but it would sell for a decent amount with the right buyer, and she had many buyers.

She had taken some time to make sure it was not a woman she was going to attack. Kaoru was not heartless, after all. She made the mistake once of dropping in on a little old lady carrying fabrics some time ago. The little woman had teared up and quietly offered her fabrics, asking for her life to be spared for she had little else. Something about that entire situation just broke Kaoru's heart. A woman merchant, by herself, was off limits in Kaoru's book. She knew it did not stop anyone else from attacking them, but she refused to have that guilt on her shoulders.

Men, on the other hand...

She chuckled quietly, moving deftly through the canopy of the trees arching over the road. It had taken some time to pinpoint that this little merchant was, in fact, a man. She had almost given up, convinced he was a woman. It would have been an honest mistake. She could not recall the last time she had seen a man's hair so long that it touched mid-thigh, much less plaited down his back. Threads of varying colors were woven in with the bright red tresses, lined with an assortment of beads and feathers. His mantle was well worn and covered his figure from view at a first glance. Based upon the long hair and petite form, she had been ready to move on and leave what she thought was a little woman alone on the Red Road.

Then he had stopped to take a swig of water from a canteen, and she managed to catch a glimpse of an Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed. Well, damn. She had yet to get a look at his face, with that hat and her perch in the trees, but that was enough.

It was the perfect area. The road wove around a small wood, and there was a low rise on the other side, obscuring vision from a distance. With a wide grin did she make her move.

With agility from years of practice and training did Kaoru drop down in front of the laden merchant, a dagger drawn from the set at her hips. The dust kicked up at her ankles from where her boots made impact and she lifted her gaze to greet her target.

Startled violet met sharp blue, and Kaoru sucked in a breath.

Damn, he was cute.

Still, she was on a mission! Winking at him, she gestured to his gear with her knife hand. "Let me lighten that load for you, Good Sir."

He blinked in the most adorable way possible, confusion clouding his features before it smoothed over into a bemused smile. "Oh, that is quite all right, Miss. It is not so heavy that I must share the burden. But thank you for your kind offer."

She stared. Was he... really... that daft?

"No... I mean... I'm not giving you a choice," She stated slowly.

"Ah! A persistent woman!" He nodded sagely underneath his hat. "How fortunate I am to have run in to such a kind young lady! Please, though, I could not bear to make such a sweet thing as you weigh down your shoulders. Your petite form should not have to deal with such hardships."

Was the guy mocking her? Seriously? Or was he...? She stared at him, and he smiled at her, in a manner that was incredibly disarming and clueless. It might have been endearing in any other situation but here it just exasperated her. Her brow twitched and she worked her jaw for a moment. "You..."

"Yes...?"

"You..." She sucked in a breath, "You idiot! I'm trying to rob you here! Gimme your damned goods!"

"Oh." He frowned at this, as if processing this information quite thoroughly. She watched his face as he mentally seemed to go through the equation of Girl plus Knife equals Bandit before he furrowed his brow deeper and looked at her. "That seems odd."

She pressed her lips tightly and counted to three. Slowly. "Why?" She gritted out.

"Well. You're a lady."

"I'm a woman. There is a difference."

"And ladies do not go around robbing people."

"Are you listening to me? I have a knife and I am dressed in a tunic and leather! Do I look like a frickin' lady to you?"

He put a finger to his bottom lip, as if giving her question a great deal of thought. "Well. You could be."

"So could you. Seriously, you aren't exactly manly." She sneered irritably.

"Ah... it's the mantle, isn't it? I worried that shade of burgundy might be a bit jarring for some..." He idly plucked at the material, looking slightly put out. "Shame; I like it, though."

Oh ye gods, this man was absolutely infuriating. She was about to snarl out something insulting when he paused and glanced up at the sun. "Say, I need to be going if I wish to reach Andelheim before dusk. Unless you wish to purchase some herbs, I must be on my way."

She blinked rapidly as he smiled brightly at her, adjusted his load and began to walk past. She stood there for a good three seconds before she snarled and twisted, bringing the handle of her dagger around to whip him upside the head. She would not kill—did not kill—but beating a few bruises into him would make her feel much better, and would serve him right.

Her hand met nothing, and she stumbled a bit as she overbalanced, having expected to meet flesh. She caught herself and her eyes widened when his hand clasped over her wrist in a firm, but gentle manner. She whipped her head over to the strange red-haired merchant who now stood at her side. He smiled at her gently. "Now, now. There is no need for that. My wares would not be a good sell for you." He let go of her wrist and reached up, gently patting her cheek. "And quite honestly, you are a talented, smart young lady. Simple pilfering does not suit a pretty face as yours, Miss."

His hand slipped from her cheek and he bowed his head before turning and walking off. She watched him leave, stunned into silence.

For a moment she had seen an edge of something dangerous in that smile. It made her palms sweat and her heart race, and by the time her mind caught up with everything he was around the bend.

She blinked rapidly before cursing loudly and throwing her knife down onto the path in a fit of temper, stomping a foot for good measure. "So help me gods if I see you again I am going to beat the shit out of you!" She shouted after him.

Damn little girly merchant!

XX

AN: This amused me way more than it should have. I do enjoy writing an obnoxiously infuriating Kenshin.

I would love to hear your comments. -Phoe-chan.