AN- To my dearest readers I thank you for supporting me on this story. This chapter is a quick chapter. I apologize to all for not putting so much detail and suspense in this chapter. I promise you, the next chapter will be so much better. It's just lately with school starting and all; I don't seem to have the energy for writing as I once did. But I promise you to write better on the next chapter, plus the good news is, I'm almost done with this story. Just a few more chapters and this story will be done! Please leave a review! Thanks!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin series. I wish I did but I don't. : (

The Main Plan

Chapter Seven

In the damp night, where the fog glistened over the trees, creating a thickening white wall, two figures stood in the shadows. The wind blew harshly, blowing away a few leaves. Autumn was just around the corner.

As the two figures waited in the dark, damp night for the others to appear, Misao thoughts pondered to the innocent Kaoru. When Misao first met Kaoru, Misao was all ready and prepared to offer herself as Aoshi's collaborator. Now she was having second thoughts. She didn't want to betray Aoshi, but she didn't want to betray her new friend either. Kaoru was a vibrant, hard working, beautiful, and talented young woman. Even though she had so much spirit within her, so much grace, she could also see Kaoru's sadness. To tell the truth, Misao couldn't remember the last time she ever saw Kaoru smiled a real smile. The main problem about Kaoru was she was too trusting. She could meet someone once and she was willing to not only offer him or her a place in her home but in her heart as well. That was what got to Misao. Kaoru was an angel. She was everything Soujiro described her to be. And now knowing the young woman, Misao didn't have the heart to betray her new friend. It has been years since someone had called her a friend. All her old friends died because of the war. She, among the rest of her friends was the only survivor and ever since then she learned to live, to move on in her life. But now Kaoru who offered her friendship, Misao blindly accepted that offer.

As Misao continued to ponder in her thoughts, three shadows swiftly walked their way to meet her and her beloved Aoshi.

"Sorry to have you waiting. Did you bring any valuable information we could use against them as yet, Misao?" asked Enishi politely while his eyes roamed her body, admiring her new black kimono she bought from the market recently.

"Well not as yet. But I was able to get off on a good start with them," Misao said with disgust in her voice as she looked at Enishi with defiant eyes.

"We don't care if you got off on a good start or a bad start with them. What I care about, is if you were able to find relevant information on them such as weaknesses," replied Shishio as he waited impatiently for her answer.

Aoshi looked at his beloved Misao with disappointed eyes. He thought when she agreed to take this job, she would play her part. But he was wrong. She didn't take her job seriously.

Misao felt Aoshi's ki. She knew right that instant, standing next to him, how much she disappointed him and the rest of guys. She could stand the guilt she carried inside her. She had to choose between Kaoru and Aoshi. She didn't know who to choose, her beloved or her new and only friend. She felt her heart explode, at the thought of betraying the both of them; after all they were two people who were very important to her. Aoshi gave her love; he gave her a life, and hopes to live in this new error. Kaoru gave Misao knowledge, friendship, a person to trust, a person to open her eyes. Both of them were important to her, and choosing between friendship and love, were too much for her to bear.

Silently Misao gave in into her beloved disappointed stare. The side she chose was love. Aoshi's love would sustain her for the rest of her life, and if she had to give up everything she owned just to be with him, thus she was taking a risk.

"Upon entering her home, I realized we could probably enter late in the evening when they're having a family gathering. During that time they'll all be busy laughing and enjoying their time as a family to even notice any new presence entering the dojo. Next Kaoru already gave me her trust, if I could be successful enough to separate her from the rest, you could attack her first, while I go and get the little boy. From there with everyone in separated rooms, they'll be defenseless and weak for your torturing and brutal killings," Misao said calmly, but deep down inside she felt like she was going to explode when she thought of seeing Kaoru's lifeless body. Absently a few tears fell from her eyes, as she turned away from the men and lookedinto the thick fog.

"Good job." Aoshi patted her shoulder with affectionate touch. He wasn't disappointed in his beloved Misao after all. She served her purpose. Now all they had to do was decide the right time to attack. It was then Aoshi noticed as his hand caressed the side of Misao's face, he felt her tears. He also felt her body flinched at his touch. Never in his life did Misao reacted toward his caress the way she did. Misao usually, moaned, or purred in pleasure when he kissed her or caressed her cheek, but this was the very first time her body ever repelled his touch.

"If I may make a suggestion Shishio?" Misao turned around to face the others, forgetting the look Aoshi was giving her moments before. "I have something that might intrigue you," Misao said softly staring into Shishio's dark evil eyes.

"What is it Misao?" he asked, his evil eyes rested on her petite form. He wondered what would be so important for the girl to bring up an issue of matter into their important discussion.

"You see, Battousai is staying within that dojo, but he has to be staying there for some reason along with Soujiro, Kaoru and Yahiko. Wasn't Battousai known for killing without any mercy? Did he not kill Kaoru's parents? Yet why is he staying in that dojo?" Misao asked, capturing everyone's attention with her mysterious questions.

Misao smirked, when she noticed she got Shishio's attention. So Shishio and Battousai had their past. Well that'll be something to watch.

"That man took everything I ever owned away from me. Even my woman Yumi walked out on me, because I had no money left, or even a place to call home. I vowed to make Battousai pay. I vowed to make sure he'll pay with even his own life," Shishio said with violent hatred towards the name Battousai. Everyone and everything within the forest could feel Shishio's ki rising every second.

"Well today is your lucky day, because I know what his weakness is." Everyone's eyes widened in disbelief, when they heard Battousai had a weakness. Battousai never had a weakness. It was said after a tragic incident that happened years ago during the war, forever made him Battousai. From that day on Battousai didn't care about a damn thing, but now finding out he had a weakness was a true astonishment to all.

"What is that weakness of his you talk so sincerely about?" Enishi asked Misao, as he was the first one to recover the hidden truth.

"Well you see it's very simple. I've seen it myself. Who's the one you think in that household is easy to persuade? Who is willing to open not only her doors to people out on the streets, but her heart as well? Kaoru is that person. She's kind, beautiful, generous, and a spirited young woman. She's his weakness. So if you attack the household, let her survive, so that she could be used against Battousai. Do you see where I'm getting at?"

They all nodded, and then praised Misao with so many faithful cherishing words. Misao on the other hand sighed in relief to know at least her friend was going to be living a while longer. But still it didn't stop the pain she felt overwhelming in her chest. She felt her mind growing dizzy on her. Her eyes became filled with tears. Knowing she betrayed her only friend, Misao could never atone for her betrayal of a close friend.

It has been a few days since Yahiko stayed within the dojo. He was very happy here. In here, he felt like he got back his lost family. Soujiro acted not only like a father but also as a friend. Kaoru acted more like an older sister and a mother at times. Without them both, he would have never healed tremendously since he first started staying here. They were so kind and gentle to him. They never pestered him or pressured him into revealing the truth what happened the night the assassins attacked his home and killed his parents. They never asked questions, or went even close to the topic. He guessed Kaoru told Soujiro not to bring his painful past.

Not only did Kaoru offer him a home, she opened up her heart to him. She showed so much love for him, that Yahiko felt like he can stay here forever under her care. She knew exactly how he felt. When she told him and Soujiro about her past, everything bad he ever thought about her from the beginning began to melt away from his heart. Instead it was replaced by a warm feeling of brotherly love for her. He loved her like a brother would love a sister. He promised once he fully healed from the impact his parent's death, he would find every way to thank Kaoru for all the kindness she gave to him.

As Yahiko waited for both Soujiro and Kaoru to meet him, he felt a shift in the air. He sensed danger around the corner. The air seemed to thicken around him, his body screamed out to him to run, but his pride and his fear held him in place. Whatever evil was heading towards this dojo, he won't let it come near him or his new family. If he had to die tonight for his family, he was willing to do all that, especially for Kaoru.

Slowly but steady he moved outside the dojo walls, heading into the dojo yard. He scanned the area; looking for the dark ki he felt moments before. He felt nothing. He moved towards the bathhouse, checked the bushy areas, and looked in the shadowy places but still there was no sign of anything.

As Yahiko was about to give up, he heard a familiar voice that sent shivers up his spine and made him his body language scream out in fear. "You should be more alert, or else you'll die just like parents died except at much worse faith."