That same day in January, not too far away, a young man with chestnut hair and emerald eyes was sitting sullenly in what was left of a once-finely furnished room. Now, however, the room was in a shambles. The bed a charred lump, the floor scorched, the curtains tattered; this was the room where Aoshi had rescued Misao from Jishin's clutches.

The young man scowled at the sight of the burned-out room. Every time he entered the chamber, the smell of blood -his blood- mingled with singed pine invaded his nostrils. His father, the old tightwad, had ordered the servants to leave the room as was as a reminder to his son why he should marry into his own social circle.

Kana Kanemochi had been angry. Very angry. When he'd returned home and found his son unconscious and bleeding amid a raging fire, he'd known the whole thing had something to do with that bitch from the Aoiya.

As they say, blood is thicker than water, and Kana pushed aside his anger long enough to rescue his only child from certain doom. The fire was contained to that room and eventually put out, but this did not quell the flames of anger raging within him.

Jishin narrowed his eyes, his father's voice ringing through his head. See why I told you not to bother with that orphan? Why can't you find a good woman like your mother? I told you…I warned you. That slut was nothing but trouble. You try to do something nice for those less fortunate than you and what happens? That crazy ninja came in here and tried to kill you. I never want to hear another word about that girl again, or I'll write you out of the will. Do you understand me?

He ran his fingers along the charred remains of the bed. I almost had her here…She was nearly mine. Father, it is you who does not understand. I lust after her and she shows me nothing in return. Then when I nearly have her in my power, he starts to pay attention to her. She would have been mine were it not for that man. Shinomori.

He lifted his shirt, studying the scar Aoshi had given him. A small patch of pinkish flesh under his ribcage; it was a constant reminder of how much he loathed the ninja. He lightly fingered the puckered flesh, his hatred towards Aoshi growing. His back was covered in burns, but that was nothing compared to the wound he received from Misao's kunai. What annoyed him most about that scar was the fact that it was created with the weapon of the girl he loved.

Misao never would have physically hurt me so…Shinomori…He did this to me. The blood boiled in his veins. I must get revenge. I must…Shinomori must die. A sadistic smile spread across his face. Money can buy anything. I won't even have to shed any blood. I won't have to get my hands dirty.

But…

But she did hurt me. She toyed with my heart. She said she cared about me. Then she went and married that bastard instead. Suppose I see her in the market or around…What would I do?

You would reach out and wrap your hands around her slender little neck. A voice in the back of his mind whispered, She cost you a lot of money and a lot of pride. Perhaps…Perhaps Father was right. She is a little tramp. She betrayed you. She stole away your happiness and now she deserves to suffer.

Yes; He agreed with the voice, She should suffer. I'm going to make her suffer. If I can't be happy, neither can she.

A warped smile crossed his face as plans began to form in his mind. Revenge would be sweet.

***

Oooo…Can't let them just be happy! You didn't think he would go away and leave them alone, did you??

The polls are still open: Boy or girl? Right now, girl is winning!! Every one seems to like the idea of a chibi Misao running around. What do you think? Cast your votes today!