Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is copyright of it's own respected owners. I am merely a fan.

AN: Here is another chapter. The last chapter was a little brief and very badly written so I hope to make this one better. I know you all want to know Aoshi's little secret, but the story will get to it, hehe. Thanks again. Hope you enjoy.

The Fire within Ice

Chapter 8: New Plans of the Devil

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Aoshi entered the room to find Misao sleeping on her futon. He walked closer to see her braid pushed to her side. She was only wearing her yukata which lay a bit open to reveal the binding of her breasts and the bandages of her shoulder wound. Her room was quite and had her distinct lovely smell. Se had a spare kimono on the side. He guessed Okon had put it there for future time.

So many feelings went through him...disgrace, pain, and most of all weakness. He had never felt so weak as he had with his battle with Jin. It didn't matter that Jin had used a trick. The powder could not be used as an excuse for Misao's pain.

"A-Aoshi-sama..." The voice was faint, causing Aoshi to look at her face, eyes half lidded.

"Hai, I'm here." He sat down beside her. "Are you feeling better?"

"I am. A little scratch like this doesn't hurt me you know." Even with her faint voice, she managed to keep her spirit high. That's one thing he always admired about her.

She closed her eyes again and it was obiouse that she needed her rest. Aoshi put his attention back to her mindnight blue tresses, few strands of it laying on her face. He brought his hand to her face and pushes the strands away, his fingers enjoying the silk feel and brought himself to push on one leg and stand. Misao's hand stopped him as it held his hand to her cheek. "Kudasai Aoshi...stay with me."

The words had been barely a whisper, causing him to go back to his former sitting position. He stroked her face and decided to stay by her side.

"He's still alive." Okon said mildly.

"Who? Aoshi? I have no doubt. He always makes it through." Okina answered back.

"I was referring to Jin. He is still unconscious, but is being kept securely."

"oh yes. Jin Mazawa. I remember him quite well actually. He was a very bright young fighter. He left the Oniwabanshu to go to Tokyo. I guess Kyoto was not the right place for him. I guess that how he would work for a akume such as Osada."

"Yes but wasn't it only months later the Youji Mazawa got killed? Why didn't Jin take him along?" It didn't make sense if the two brothers were so close, or so she thought.

"Well simply because Youji didn't want to go. I doubt Jin even heard about the young boys death till much later."

"So you think the death of his brother has something to do with his return here? Why would he want to kill Aoshi? How would Ginta Osada fit in this situation? Why does Osada even want to send someone like Jin back here?"

"Slow down Okon-san. I do not have all the answers to all the questions."

"Gomen." Okon bowed her head, realizing she was being a little too much of a questionnaire.

"It is alright. We know that Jin works for Osada. And it would only make sense that Osada, being the half brother of Kanryu, wants revenge, or maybe simple amusement. If he plans to destroy the Oniwaban, then I am sure there is a further list at hand." Okina had to discuss this situation with Aoshi, it was becoming much more complicated. He ran his hand along his white beard, thinking further.

"You mean the battousai, Himura Kenshin."

"Yes. So are best choice, is to destroy Osada."

Okon nodded. "But who would we send? Misao is wounded and this situation should be discussed wither her. It is her right as Okashira. And also Aoshi. They are both injured, and Jin Mazawa; we have to deal with him."

"This discussion will as it should, reach Misao and Aoshi-san. But we still need to get some information out of him. Send two men to ask him questions. We want to know why he is working for Osada and what Osada has to gain from all this. Also, as soon as Misao can walk inform her and Aoshi to meet me in this room."

"hai" Okon answered with a nod. She got up quickly bowing her head and left the door, leaving Okina to his thoughts.

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Ginta Osada was laying comfortably in his bed. The silk sheets pushed to his waist. He loved anything foreign, and this bed was by far one of his favorites. The girl sleeping figure next to him turned herself towards him. Suddenly he gave a disgusted look, pushing the girl off of him to the floor, causing for her to wake up, her eyes widely open in fright.

"I'm quite bored of you now. You may leave."

"but my cloth-"

"Urusai! Get you damn cloths and leave." He said in a loud voice, laughing a little when the young girl grabbed her cloths quickly and almost flew out the room. The girl had been a virgin and while he enjoyed the innocent blood immensely, she had not satisfied him. He needed to tell his men to find him better catch.

Getting his naked body out of bed, he moved to grab some cloths. At the same moment a knock outside was heard. "Come in." At his words a man with long brown hair entered the room, not caring about his masters sate of undress.

"Master Osada." he bowed his head then raised it up again to look directly in Osada's gray eyes. "Mazawa's group was captured by the Oniwaban. We don't think they remain alive."

Osada gave the man a small smile. "Shigata ga nai."

"But sir, Jin Mazawa as well. He is dead."

"Well well. I guess that boys was not as good as I thought. He was an obiouse fool. Aoshi Shinimori and the Oniwaban are not not easily defeated."

"I know that sir."

"Well then, I suggest I shall assemble a team to send. Let me think. Yourself offcourse Tadasuke Suezo. Actually you pick some men, maybe Suzo?." Osada picked up his cloths, a new black suit, preparing to wear it.

"Sir, Suzo is very ill. But I will get a team to leave Tokyo immediately." Tadasuke said, considering different men he could take with him. If Jin wasn't successful, he would be!

"No no no, my dear friend." Osada said with a slight chuckle. "They already know I am behind all this. We have lost the emlement of suprise. So we shall bring the pray to us, here in Tokyo. Here I shall kill more than just one bird, but maybe three. Who knows."

"So you expect us not to do anything?"

"For now, well will keep it quiet for a time being. You shall learn a little more about the battousai they call Himura Kenshin. Be careful for I have heard the Battousai has been the only man to defeat him."

"Makenai!" Tadasuke gritted his teeth. He was doing this job for money. He never liked Ginta Osada, but the man paid well for him to hold a sword. And he knew, holding his sword wasn't the only thing he was good at. He was 19, a great age to be powerful and confident in his mind.

"Go now. Oh and by the way...I didn't quite enjoy your younger sister last night, do find me a better catch."

Tadasuke nodded and left, not caring about his father bastard child, his half sister at the age of 14.

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Misao opened her eyes to her dim lighted room. She looked to her side to find Aoshi sitting next to her, legs crossed and eyes closed. His presence made her feel warm and at ease. She was happy he was safe. She looked down on herself to see she was only dressed in her Yukaa which was party open, letting a small amount of her breast binding to show. She blushed and closed the front more. Her shoulder still hurt, and while she wanted to move around, she knew the best thing for her was to rest.

"Arigato, for staying with me." Saying that, she closed her eyes again, drifting into an easy slumber.

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Keep reviewing everyone. Again I'll update within a week.