Author's Note: Wow after a month of not updating I feel like a total mean person. . Sorry for that everyone. Thank you all so much for reviewing, I love you all! And look school is almost over! In to days to be exact! Which means more updating and more fics from me! Please read and review! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin

Chapter Six: The Beginning of a Journey

The dark and murky, old-fashioned mansion was filled with no people, save for a few that lurked around here and there. This was their current hideout for the time being. Matsuo's last lair like this was set ablaze and burnt to the ground by enemies of theirs, and still managed to escape here. They will have their revenge in due time of course, but they needed a plan for now, and somehow it wouldn't be all that hard.

With tress of the tallest height surrounding the mansion, it could not be seen so easily by people who did not take a second glance in its direction. It was well hidden, though could still be easily spotted if someone tried hard enough. Well, it was all they could make due of for right now.

Inside the mansion, one single lord looked down upon his minions with a blank expression, his eyes darting from corner to corner for a time. He was a strong spirit, yet felt himself at the slightest moments to going mad. So filled with rage and revenge could do that to a person if those needs were not met. And for him, it had been too long.

"Lord Matsuo." Spoke a servant.

The lord blinked his eyes, giving off that only signal that he was listening.

"Might I ask why, you are trying to overthrow Japan. That lord Shishio could not because Battousai had beaten him, are you sure he will not defeat you as well my lord?" He asked, now beginning to regret what he was saying.

Matsuo glared at him, "Fool, do not inform me of things I already am well aware of. Japan is in great need of a powerful leader like myself to be its guide. These imprudent people cannot think for themselves and are just a herd of mindless animals.. do you not realize the power and respect I would gain? Every single being would know my name and shiver with fear at its dominant rule once it was spoken aloud." His eyes danced with wicked excitement, "As for Battousai, I have a plan for him and his associates."

His voice even sounded as though it could only belong to a monster with lust for only conquest and nothing more, creating the disaster that is eternally repeated in order to fulfill its evil desires. Did this world not have enough suffering in it already? Why must there be another evil here? No one knew, certainly not. But, it was still not desired by any innocent person, and yet, it remained here alive and breathing.

Matsuo shook his head nonchalantly and his servant watched the lord's eyes blazing as he spoke in a lower tone that nearly frightened him, "I will lead this country and punish those dearly who will not bow to me... I will have power, more power… I promise God this."

Misao groaned in her futon. Her little figure was covered in blankets and made her form appear like a small mountain. The sun was, in her opinion, way too bright this morning.

She glanced out her window with one eye, then hid under the covers again, "Go away." She threatened silently in a muffled voice to the flaming star in the sky as if, by some amazing and unbelievable miracle, that it would do just that.

Then as fast as lightning, she jolted up in a sitting position. Her blankets went flying in all directions as she covered her messy hair with her hands in frustration, "I forgot Himura, Kaoru, and the others are coming today!"

She literally jumped up with renewed strength and energy and fixed her futon properly as fast as she could, her multi-tasking skills would be mot necessary as of this morning. The sun had just risen, which meant Aoshi, Okina, and a few other occupants of the Aoiya are awake at this time as well. She quickly walked to her closet and found her training yukata. She would have to do her morning workout fast today. She had company coming over soon.

Misao changed into her training yukata and brushed her hair into a low ponytail. She threw her kimono in her hamper for Okon to pick up and wash. With that done Misao rushed out her door and ran in the hallway.

She saw Okon in the hallway as she ran past her.

"Misao, you're up late, Kenshin and the others will be here later you know."

Misao nodded in annoyance as she turned a corner, "I know that Okon, I'm up now aren't I?" She muttered and made it out of the hallway and into the kitchen area before Okon could have a chance to answer the feisty girl. Misao had noticed that Okon was carrying a basket full of clothing. She just shrugged her shoulders. Okon must be up to her room next to pick up her laundry that needed to be washed clean.

As she walked hurriedly into the kitchen, she saw Aoshi drinking tea as Shiro and Kuro talked with one another. She guessed Omasu was washing dishes or something further in the kitchen of the Aoiya to be ready for guests to show up soon.

Aoshi looked her way, "Good morning Misao."

The energetic young girl nearly tripped as she halted to a stop and looked at Aoshi, "Um, good morning Aoshi." She replied quietly and blushed held her hands tightly behind her back nervously. She didn't know why, but she felt self-conscious around him at the moment, that always seemed to be happening all the time recently, and she knew why. Memories of last night and their little talk came to mind, until her thoughts were interrupted when Kuro spoke up.

"Misao, don't you know that Kenshin and the others are coming? Get ready." Said Kuro.

Misao practically growled, I mean c'mon now, did she look like an idiot! She knew this already and didn't need to be reminded of it once by Okon, let alone twice by Kuro.

"I know." She said through gritted teeth and walked hurriedly out of the kitchen and towards the exit of the Aoiya, forgetting about her silly behavior towards Aoshi.

Misao walked outside of the Aoiya, the wind blowing somewhat. Misao closed her eyes to welcome it as she kept walking. She loved this light breeze in the day time.

Misao stopped walking and slowly poised her body in a fighting posture. She concentrated her energy and punched the air with all her strength. Misao punched and kicked the air; now combining different moves and was soon enough breaking a sweat.

After blocking, punching and more sweating, Misao landed perfectly on her feet, arms and legs in proper position, as they should be. She gradually stood straight and looked up at the blue heavens. 'I should discontinue this for now.' She decided to go ahead and cease her training for the morning and walked to the bath house as she wiped sweat from her forehead with her arm.

The young ninja quickly stripped herself of her outfit and got her bath ready. She folded her clothes quickly and carelessly tossed them in a corner as she brought out a bath yukata from one of the shelves of the bathhouse. Once the tub was full, Misao sighed happily as she felt her body numb at the quick contact with the steaming hot water.

In truth, other than the garden out back, this is was one of Misao's favorite places of where she would be consumed in deep thought. She laid her head back against the wall of the tub and closed her eyes.

'I have to focus; Himura and the others didn't come here for only a simple visit. We have a new enemy on our hands and can't risk taking it lightly like we have many times before.' She thought with concern. Misao wasn't really the best of fighters when she was her sixteen year old weasel self. But now that Aoshi was back, ever since he came home to her, Misao's way of thinking had changed.

Misao wasn't one to overlook matters of things, well, at least not anymore. She had grown wiser and stronger over the two years that it amazed everyone she knew since her childhood, even herself.

The young ninja couldn't believe how much she progressed in her fighting abilities, knowledge, and height! She was proudly three inches taller now than when she was sixteen. And damn near everything else she guessed. Her body had grown to fit these newfound capabilities as well. That's right; Misao was no lanky girl of sixteen any longer, but now a graceful, fully developed young adult.

Misao thought about Kenshin and Kaoru. They were currently in love and happily married, with a son too. Sano and Megumi had swallowed their pride and gotten together also, for it was what they both really wanted, deep down. But of course knowing them, something like love had been too long hidden.

And Yahiko? He wasn't as much of a brat as he used to be. That was a real surprise to everyone because that's, for the most part, what he's known for.

Misao wiped some stray hair away from her face and suddenly frowned. The water was becoming cold even though Misao wanted to stay in it longer. She shrugged her shoulders and got out nonetheless.

She put her yukata on and dried her hair the best she could before retiring to her room. Once finished, she walked out of the bathhouse and towards the hallway that led to her room. She went inside and closed her shoji door shut behind her.

Misao wondered where Aoshi was and decided to go look for him after she was appropriately dressed.

She suddenly felt way too lazy to look in her closet and decided on what other kimono she wanted to wear, so she looked around for the pile of clean clothes Okon always dropped off after she had washed and dried them.

And sure enough, she saw a familiar pink and green kimono that she grew very fond of wearing. It was very comfortable, fit her with ease. (A/N: Imagine it's the one Sango wears on Inuyasha I guess.. I always thought it was cute  )

She sighed contentedly and changed into the kimono. Afterwards she brushed her hair and fixed it in a low ponytail this time instead of the half that she had done. She did a double-take into her mirror and took the ribbon out that held her hair together, letting all of it tumble around her shoulders. 'Oh, it wouldn't hurt to just leave it down all day' She thought with a small smile.

Misao slipped her feet in her sandals and walked to her shoji door to leave her room and see what everyone else was up to before their guests arrived.

As Misao stepped out of her room she closed the shoji door and turned around, only to bump into someone.

'Gosh, let me guess, who in the world it could possibly be?' Misao thought and rolled her eyes, but she smiled too, for she liked bumping into this certain person. "Sorry Aoshi." She mumbled and stepped back. She looked at him and saw him smile a bit.

He shook his head vaguely, "There's no need for it. This happens quite too frequently to start apologizing now isn't it?" He stated and didn't know that he was the source of Misao's giggle. She fidgeted her fingers, feeling her palms grow sweaty by now.

She nodded, "I couldn't agree with you more." She smiled genuinely, "So, are Himura and the others here yet?" She asked anxiously.

How they were standing in front of her door again reminded the both of them of last night's events and how Misao was so overcome with different emotions. Aoshi did not want to pry into her business, but he was really worried about her. However, he would find his answers soon enough. Just not now. Now did not seem right.

"Not yet, but they'll arrive no later than in an hour." He replied matter-of-factly.

Misao nodded her head, "Ok, let's go and see if breakfast is ready. I'm sure they'll be hungry by the time they get here." She said and led the way to the kitchen.

Aoshi nodded and followed her.

As he followed Misao to their destination, he unexpectedly felt guilty for her. He knew that she vas well aware that this was no mere visit between friends, even as she very much tries to deny it. Though, they were here for a reason, which is to plan about how they will overpower this new enemy they are will soon be up against.

Aoshi and Misao knew that this was going to be a long, hard, and painful journey that they must battle to win. And like the old saying goes, every journey of a thousand miles begins with a strong single step.