Hi! I must first apologize to the people who were reading my fics that got put on hold without an explanation 2 years ago. I'm very sorry. I could have at least written a little note to let you know what was going on. In 2004, my husband and I found out we were expecting! So, our time was filled with prep work and doctor visits, not to mention extra hours at work to cover our baby supply costs. But, my little girl is 19 months old now so I get a little free time! I will finish my other stories, but my attempts to write for them so far have led to nothing but junk. I figured maybe a fresh story would get me back into the swing of things. I've wanted to do a Misao kicks butt story since I wrote "Kaoru…the Saiyan?" which had our favorite tanuki kicking some serious bad guy booty. So, here it is. Hopefully I haven't lost my author mojo! (wink) Read and enjoy! (I hope.)

Disclaimer: No, it's not mine. But one day… (kunai grazes Kay-san's ear) Wha--? Watsuki-sama! I'm sorry! (bows with head to floor) They're yours! I'm just borrowing!

Warning: Probably a little OOC. Just a smidge. What can I say? I like to take a few liberties when I write!

Misao Takes Charge

Prologue: The Mission

Misao glared at the tall man before her. "I said 'no', Aoshi!" She flushed slightly as she dropped the honorific. Damn it, Misao! You're the okashira now! You don't need to fret over dropping –sama! Her mind raged at her and she bravely held her ground, chin high.

Aoshi narrowed his eyes slightly at the small challenger. "Misao…" he growled in warning. Seeing she wouldn't back down he continued. "You will not go on this mission alone. I will go with you."

Though she wanted the pleasure of days of travel with her Aoshi by her side, Misao stood firm. "I meant what I said, Aoshi. Until you have conquered your inner demons and found peace, I will not allow you to fight. It would be too risky. The battle could throw you back from what progress you have made."

Aoshi blew a slight breath through his lips and knew he had lost. Misao's point was indeed a valid one, but he still worried for her safety. "What if I came along and promised to only fight if needed?"

Misao rolled her eyes. "You wouldn't stand back and wait. You know that as well as I do. You will stay here." With her argument won, she relaxed her stance and retreated from the temple.

That had been her morning. She took tea to Aoshi, like always. But she had also brought word of a reconnaissance mission they were requested to do by the police force. Aoshi had immediately said he would go and Misao had to assert her power as okashira.

She sat now in the training hall, thinking about the argument while twirling a kunai in her hand absentmindedly. Her scowl deepened as she let her thoughts drift to the mission. Saitou had of course been the messenger.

(Earlier)

"Ah, the weasel." Saitou smirked as he approached Misao who was sweeping.

"Saitou." Came the cool greeting. "What?"

Saitou's smirk deepened at her apparent irritation. "Why, weasel. I just got here. No need to snap at me."

Misao narrowed her eyes. "Look, Saitou. I know this isn't a social visit, so what do you want?"

Saitou drew a few papers from his pocket and handed them to her. "We received these reports yesterday about a band of thugs setting up base in Osaka. Somehow, they are connected to your clan."

Misao's eyes skimmed the reports. "So, what do you want from us? Do you want us to bring them down? Infiltrate the ranks? Reconnaissance? What?"

"Just reconnaissance for now. We don't know exactly what we're dealing with yet. We know they've been causing trouble, but they've managed to elude our forces so far."

Misao nodded. It was clear why they were needed. A band of thugs would be no problem for the police. But a band of thugs that could evade the police would have to be well-trained in spying. And a group like that with some sort of ties to the Oniwabanshuu could only mean one thing. "I think I know what you're dealing with. But I want to go on the mission first to make sure."

Saitou nodded. "Report to me when you get back. Don't do anything other than gather information." With that said, he strode back out the entrance, smoke swirling over his shoulder.

Misao swatted at the offensive scent and went to prepare Aoshi's tea.

(Back to Present)

Misao was still twirling her kunai when Okina approached her. "Aoshi said word came of a mission and you intend to go alone."

Misao sighed. "Hai. I can't allow him to go, Jiya. You know just as well as I do what the consequences for that could be."

Okina ran a hand over his beard. "I also know what the consequences could be if you went alone." His voice was soft, concern apparent in his voice and visage.

Misao gave him a bright smile. "It's just reconnaissance, Jiya. I'll be fine!" She briefly toyed with the idea of telling Jiya the details of the report from Saitou. She hadn't told Aoshi, knowing she wouldn't have been able to make him stay put if she did. She decided not to tell Okina either. He would have insisted on allowing Aoshi's help. She giggled at his frown. "Jiya! Lighten up! I'll be fine." She could force Aoshi to stay put since she was the okashira, but she couldn't force her surrogate grandfather to quit worrying. She stood from her spot on the training room floor, flashing another bright smile. "I need to get back to my training. I leave tomorrow."

Okina smiled softly at her. "Just be careful, Misao-chan."

A/N: And chapter 1 is done. It isn't much yet, but it will be. Hope you guys come back for chapter 2! For some reason, says it supports special characters in .doc format, but alas, mine got all messed up. So the formatting is a little weird. And please do push that review button and let me know how it is. It's been a long time since I've posted anything and I'm worrying like crazy! Hugs & Kisses!