As the night progressed in the bar Saitou tried to think about the best way to approach their target, but with Chizu constantly licking him and giggling it was hard to even think with the sake helping to fog his mind. Giving up for the night he motioned for Chizu to join him and they left for the inn. Luckily for Saitou the brothel owner did notice Chizu's show accompanied with Saitou annoyance, which was exactly what Saitou and Chizu wanted.

Back at the inn Saitou let Chizu bathe first enjoying the break from work. Seeing that she was going to take a while Saitou resigned himself to lay down and try to get a little rest. He quickly fell into a half-asleep state imaging Saiko's happy face when she saw her brand new kimono and Sano's happy face when he saw the red ribbon to go with it. Just as had fallen into a deeper level of sleep Chizu came back into the room flooding it with light from the door. She had a small tall wrapped around her and was dripping wet. She blushed when she saw Saitou's sleepy gaze fixed on a water droplet.

Blinking a few more times Saitou quickly covered his eyes with his ungloved hand. "Chizu for Kami's sake get dressed already…" almost unable to keep his voice steady. Chizu nodded though Saitou couldn't see and hurriedly gathered her clothes and quickly settled on the spare futon they had requested. The next evening they headed back to the bar, but instead of the other side Saitou chose a table right across from their target. Finally grabbing his interest the brothel owner waved Saitou and Chizu over to his table. Saitou got up to move when he saw a glint of red in his peripheral vision. Turning his head slightly for a clearer look Saitou saw Sano and Katsu ducking down by the entrance.

Sighing loudly he excused himself from the table leaving Chizu to flirt. Sano took the hint and met Saitou in the bathroom discreetly. Saitou at first just stared, but then he locked the door and pinned Sano against the wall. Taking a deep breath he calmly asked "Sanosuke why may I ask are you here and not with Saiko?" Sano's lips parted, but before he could lie Saitou put a finger to his lips. "I am not going to hear your lies Sanosuke" he said angrily. Sanosuke blushed guilty carefully looping his arms around Saitou hoping for a little compassion before Saitou really let it out. Saitou sighed at the impromptu hug.

"Why?" Saitou finally asked. "Katsu saw you kissing someone" Sano said sadly keeping his eyes to the floor. Saitou rolled his eyes "She kissed me and it was not a sexual kiss, we are undercover and she hasn't touched my lips so you wasted your time coming over here." "Oh" Sano said softly feeling stupid since Saitou has told him he has to work and it made sense that they might have to role play some to be truly undercover. Much to his surprise he felt Saitou's arms wrapping around his waist and pulling him close.

Pressing his lips lightly to Sano's neck Saitou mumbled "I have to get back to work, please just keep Saiko happy at the dojo, I am not going to do anything you would be sore at me for, you should trust me more." Sano frowned unbeknownst to Saitou, he did not like being told he was not trusting. Shaking it off Sano kissed Saitou's ear whispering "we miss you" before slipping out of the room.

With a quick readjustment of his hair Saitou made it back to the table to find Chizu with a pliable drunken brothel owner. "I like your girl Yuji-san, do you think she wants to earn a little extra money?" the drunken man asked giddily while staring at Chizu's chest. "I am not sure she is only 17" Saitou taunted at the man knowing he was close to reaching his goal. "Ah" the man said not revealing whether that was a problem or not. "Will you be here tomorrow?" the man asked. Saitou nodded asking "Yes, would you like to meet to discuss the terms?" The man chuckled and said "not to fast I want to make friends first, just keeping coming here and we will see what happens."

Saitou hid a frown in his sake cup. If this took to long he might miss Saiko's party. As Chizu continued to flirt with the man Saitou just stared at his sake. His mind was already feeling heavy again and he had not urge to drink anymore that night, especially if he would be doing that every night all week. After tickling the man a big Chizu managed to give the drunken brothel owner a laughing fit so violent he shook table causing the sake in Saitou's cup to ripple. Sighing to himself he whispered to his reflection in the rippled sake "I miss both you too."

AN: I know it is very short and very late but I am surprised with my very very sad lack of inspiration I could write anything at all. Why is it when I have plenty of time to write and think about my story I have no muse? TT