A/n Hi everyone! I'm glad that there's some intrest in this story. There never seems to be many who like Aoshi/Misao stories. Which is a shame because they're like a second Kenshin/Kaoru.

Sakura Crystals-I know what you mean, but I can't tell you what's in store for Kaoru just yet.
Silent canary- Never enough a/m stories, I agree. And I'll try to do my best in writing Aoshi.
Satora-wolf- I'm glad you find it interesting; I always have strange parings for my secondary characters.
nightshade belle- I'm glad you decided to read this one!
Delp-Thanks! No I haven't given up on "Endure My Love" I've updated it in fact. So I hope you'll run over there and read and review!

Thanks to my reviewers! I hope to get more Aoshi/ Misao readers and to draw the Ken/Kaoru readers over as well. I hope everyone enjoys the update. This still follows the cannon movie version pretty closly until i can branch off into my own plot. On to the story!

I don't own kenshin or the canon movie tales.

Kenshin glanced up at the two guards that held him, one on each arm as they half lead half carried into Lord Takeda's great hall. Kenshin had gone with them willingly to avoid unnecessary violence but they handled him as if he had fought them every step of the way. He happened to catch sight of a window as they marched past and noted the sun was already behind the mountains and it was getting dark rather quickly. He hoped Kaoru wasn't worried about him too much. If all went well, he would be back home before the moon rose and she would only think the harvesting kept him late. He didn't want her to worry in her condition.

Two large doors were pulled open and Kenshin was brought into the great hall. It was a large room, mostly stone with large wooden beams overhead. In the center was an elevated area that held a high backed chair and Takeda lounging. It was hard to look comfortable in such a chair, but the lanky man pulled it off. His black and red cape draped in endless folds across the chair and Kenshin couldn't help but falter in his steps and the guards had to drag him the last few feet before setting him down and stepping back.

Takeda looked up from a scroll he was reading. It rolled back up with a snap and he set it aside. "Kenshin Himura." Takeda said, not wasting any time. "You're six months late on your taxes."

Kenshin faltered as he recovered from being dropped flat on his feet. "We'll Sir, the harvest has been bad this year, that it has."

Takeda blinked. "So?"

"So…His Majesty always pardons taxes on the years of bad harvest. Can't pay taxes on money one didn't receive." Kenshin said, his hands gesturing, hopping the lord would understand. It wasn't often the rains kept away from the valley, but when it did, everyone suffered. No one sold their wares, keeping it for themselves and neighbors to help through the winter. No one earned any money so there was no reason to tax, the King knew this.

"Yes, well…I'm not him…am I?" Takeda leaned forward, resting one elbow on the arm of his chair. "His Majesty put me in charge of finances while he's at war and I plan to do my job well. The treasury is running low and I plan to tax everyone this year, including farmers who weren't smart enough to sell their wares."

"It wasn't that I didn't want to sell." Kenshin argued, his eyes narrowing. "There just wasn't enough to sell. My family and animals have to eat first, that they do."

"That's not my problem." Takeda said. He sat back, pressing his fingertips of both hands together. "If you can't pay…"

"Of course I can't pay." Kenshin said between his teeth. It would be a joy to leap up there and beat some common sense and maybe a little kindness into him, but Kenshin kept himself in check.

"If you can't pay, then you'll have to spend your days in my dungeon until you can." Takeda said, his lips slowly curling upward.

Kenshin felt his jaw go slack. "How do you expect me to pay your taxes if I'm locked away?"

"You have a family that will work to pay your debt, don't you?"

The guards took a half step closer as Kenshin grew as stiff as a wooden beam. "My wife who's ill…my boy whose too young for school…and you want them to work? Have you no heart?"

Takeda, who was already bored with the farmer's ranting snapped his head around and locked eyes with the red-head. "What did you say?" he said in a deep, slow tone.

Kenshin knew instantly that he had crossed some secret line. The guards already had him by each arm; ready to haul him away when they froze, waiting for him to answer. "I…I meant no harm." Kenshin tried desperately.

"WHAT…did you say!" the lord demanded, his voice echoing in the large room. His white-grey wolf that had been resting unnoticed by the chair lifted his head, ears swiveling forward.

Kenshin had no choice. "Have you no heart?" he said softly, dropping his eyes.

"Take him away." Takeda said to the guards, his voice restrained. "He's to be executed tomorrow at noon."

Executed? No! What of his son? Of Kaoru? Who would care for them, the farm? "No!" Kenshin shouted as the guards lifted him off his feet even as he thrashed to be put down. "Don't do this! My family!" They needed him! As they marched out of the room Kenshin turned, screaming over his shoulder. "You have no heart! You're a tyrant, cold-blooded, cruel man! The king will hear of your wicked ways!" But his shouting was cut off as the large doors slammed shut behind him, leaving Takeda alone in the great hall.

"Did you hear what he said?" Takeda said as he turned and stalked out a side door to one of his many private chambers. His large wolf followed. "Did you!" he paced alone in the room. On a lounge sofa draped with heavy, rich fabrics, sat a black wolf just as large as the grey one that followed his master's pacing. Takeda paused, looked at the two wolves and held out one hand, fingers pointing in their direction. "Wolf to man, as fast as you can." He said with concentration and he watched as before his eyes the wolf on the sofa and the one sitting on the floor slowly morphed into human-like forms. They grew hands, arms and legs and fingers, the fur thinned and was sucked away as the face mashed flat until there were two human men before him.

One looked uninterested, the other, grinned like a fool. "Of course we heard what he said." Shishio said with a laugh.

"You think he knows anything?" Takeda demanded as he continued pacing.

"Hardly." Said the second man. He tucked his neck length black hair behind one ear.

"Aoshi's right." Shishio said. "It was just a saying, he has no clue you gave up your heart for him." He jabbed his thumb back at Aoshi who continued to lounge on the sofa as if he was still in canine form. "So calm down, you're going to cut off his head or hang him…whatever it is you're going to do to him tomorrow anyways."

But that didn't satisfy Takeda. He turned to Shishio. "Go into town; see if you can hear anything."

Shishio's smile faded. "They know who I am…that I work for you. They quiet up when I come around. Make Aoshi go. They don't know him."

"No, Aoshi I'm sending you out to watch Lady Megumi."

Aoshi scoffed as he sat up, swinging his feet to the floor. "Leave that poor woman alone. Stalking is not romantic."

"When I want your opinion, I'll ask for it. Now do as you're told. Both of you!" With a jerky wave of his hand he dismissed the enchanted creatures and glared at them until they had no choice but to leave on their missions. Takeda sat on the small sofa once the wolves were out of the room. Paranoid he might be, obsessed, possibly. But he knew when information was afoot and he had mind to gather as much of it as he could.

… . . …

The boots of the two men crunched on the gravel path outside the manor. The moon was just starting to rise. People in the town below them where just starting to retire to the safety of their homes, or just starting to join the fun in one of the few taverns that dotted the establishment.

Aoshi turned dead, cold eyes to his companion. "Try not to cause any trouble tonight."

Shishio threw back his head and laughed. The moonlight caused the white of his hair to glow, and his teeth flashed. "Don't worry yourself." He said, adjusting his clothes. "You're going to be far away from town. I wish I was the one watching that woman and that delicious little girl of hers." He chuckled even as Aoshi, disgusted, turned away. Still chuckling Shishio headed into town.

He was well dressed, had a pleasant face, maybe a handsome one if he didn't give off a wave of evil wherever he went. And maybe if his hair wasn't shocking white. There were still many people in the streets, mostly husbands, taking a turn around the block, smoking a pipe or walking off a hearty supper. Shishio's trained eye spotted a darkly dressed fellow leaning against one wall, white smoke trailing up from his pipe. But the way he held himself told Shishio that this man was a pickpocket and one that he knew of rather well. As soon as the thief saw who had spied him, he turned and vanished into the shadows of the alleyway. Shishio grinned, he loved to give that fool a hard time for the fun of it. On a regular night, he would have followed him and hunted him down but he was on a mission and made it a point to stick to the warm glow of the street lamps.

Painted up women, dressed in bright colors hung about one building. They didn't call or offer their services to the passing men. These girls went about their work. Washing in large tubs, hanging clothes up to dry or to iron them. One might sit on the ledge of the front window with a sewing needed and patch the lace of a dress. She'll look up and flash a smile at any man who happen to stop and watch. Everyone was allowed to watch, hold conversation, and if the man was agreeable enough, might find himself lucky enough to be invited inside.

Of course once Shishio was spotted the women promptly turned around, noses in the air and vanished inside the house. One girl dallied and Shishio swooped in. She was a plan girl, wore little face paint but had skin smoother than silk and as pale as cream. She knew Shisho well and snapped the small rug she had been cleaning right in his face as he came closer. Shishio was greeted with a cloud of dust right in the eyes. The girl turned away with a huff and slammed the shutters of the window and locked them tight.

"I'll come back when you're not so busy." He said to no one as he slinked away from the building, rubbing the grit from his eyes. He laughed, despite his being shunned. He had asked for it, being the cad that he was.

Back on his mission, he spotted a favorite tavern. The pub was open air, with drinks being served from a stone bar that was set up against a large hole in the wall. The barkeep, a large, bearded, burly type of man handed out drinks to the serving girls as they walked from one long table to the next. It was a warm night despite it being late September. Lanterns hung everywhere, giving the place a warm feeling. It was half full on this night and Shishio planted himself against one partial wall, keeping away from the light and out of sight of the men. Almost instantly his ears caught wind of the conversation of the night.

"Poor Kenshin." One man said. "Opened his mouth a little too wide and Takeda didn't like it one bit."

"What do you mean?" Said a second one and Shishio listened close. He knew that voice; it was the annoying nephew of the Lady Megumi. He had just seen him today with Misao, that delicious little morsel.

"He got brought in for not paying taxes. He was going into debtor's prison till his wife could work up enough money to pay his taxes. But Kenshin back talked an' now his head will roll in the afternoon." There was a loud thump sound and the scrap of a chair on the stone floor. Shishio backed into the shadows as a white blur ran from the house of drink. Yes, it was Sanosuke alright. Most likely off to spread the news. How had these men heard of Kenshin's fate so quickly? They must be the farmers who were working with him and followed after to hear what Takeda wanted of him. Someone must have told them what had happened.

"Bad things happening this night." Said another man. "I wish the war was over and our good King would return."

Just then, the large barkeep spied Shishio stepping closer, but keeping his back to the outside wall. He cleared his throat loudly as he scrubbed a glass with a white cloth. He hacked and coughed only for a moment but Shishio already knew he was caught. Instantly the conversation changed

"Bad weather coming this night." That same man said. And it was, a small breeze was kicking up, nothing big, but it carried with it the scent of rain and cold. "Better shut up the windows nice and tight."

Normally Shishio would try and bribe the tavern of men with a round or two of drinks or one man with a small fortune to spill information. There were others around that possessed magic like his Lord Takeda, but the town would rather cut out their own tongue and swallow it than take the bribe and talk. Shishio knew he would get no more information here.

… . . …

Misao jerked awake, her heart hammering into her throat as she gazed at the glass window beside her bed and the moonlight streaming in. For a moment she had no idea what woke her up, but just as she was about to settle back to sleep, a loud banging sounded at their front door. Misao jerked into a sitting position as the tiny bell by the front door jingled hard enough to be yanked from the wall. The girl jumped from her bed and yanked open her bedroom door. But her mother was already rushing past her.

"Misao, where's your robe?" Megumi chastised as she tightened the laces of the robe that covered her night clothes.

"But who could it be in the middle of the night?" Misao rushed back into her room and snatched the blue cotton and lace robe and threw it over her shoulders, not bothering to lace it up as she ran to catch up to her mother.

Megumi already had a lantern lit and was peeking through the small sliding door set in the center of the heavy wooden front door. Whoever it was, Megumi knew them for she quickly undid the locks and threw the door open wide. "Tae!" Her mother exclaimed.

Their young maid was wrapped tight in a shawl, her eyes wide and red as Megumi pulled her inside and shut the door against the brisk wind that was picking up. "Ma'am," Tae said, her voice was as watery as her eyes. "They've taken ma brother!" She finally wailed.

Megumi blinked. "Kenshin?" Misao took a step closer.

"Aye. Took him for not payin' his taxes, and he smart mouthed Takeda an' now he's to be executed tomorrow afternoon! Sanosuke heard the news an' rushed to tell us! Oh Ma'am, Kaoru is in the worst way. We've been takin' care of Kenji while she's sick an' Kenshin workin' the field, but I don't think she'll survive if Kenshin dosn' come back!"

"They can't do that!" Misao shouted, rushing into the conversation.

"Hush." Megumi said as she guided their now sobbing maid to the fireplace and sat her down to get warm.

"No, Takeda has no right to execute Kenshin, he's not the king, that whoreson's gone too far!" Misao instantly slapped her hand over her mouth as Megumi locked a deadly glare at her daughter.

"Even so." Megumi said in a calm tone. "Panicking will get us nowhere."

Misao was often amazed and humbled by the cool and calm way her mother dealt with things. Her father was the same way. She often wondered where her fiery spirit came from. From Grandmother Gensai, she figured. "What do you want me to do?" Misao said softly."

"Go back to bed." Megumi said. "First thing in the morning I want you to go and fetch your Grandmother, bring her here." She turned to the weeping woman. "Tae, go home and care for Kaoru. I'll send word and you must bring Kaoru here. My mother-in-law will tend to Kaoru. But you mustn't come until I send word."

Tae nodded, understanding. She stood, threw back her shoulders and swiped the back of her hand across her eyes. "I'll go now. My family is watching Kenji, so I'll stay with Kaoru all night."

"Keep her warm, and hurry; feels like a storm is on the way." Megumi added as the pair hurried to the door. Megumi locked the heavy wooden door tight against the gust that forced its way past. She turned to her daughter who was still frozen beside the hearth. "To bed Misao." She said firmly.

"Yes Mama." Misao rushed from the room and shut her door tight before leaning heavily against it. Damn that Takeda. Men and their egos. Like peacocks vying for attention. That's all they were. Beasts. She hoped Kenshin was alright for Kaoru's sake and she couldn't help but feel pain for Kenji, the little boy might lose his father before he really had a chance to be with him. At least Misao remembered her father. Yet that fact only caused her that much more pain.

Sighing, Misao tossed her robe back on the bed and crawled back under the covers. Her mother seemed so sure that everything was going to be fine. How?...how did she know? Misao thought for sure she would never get back to sleep, but with the wind kicking up outside, Misao was quickly lulled back into slumber.

… . . …

Aoshi watched from his crouched position in the shadows. The young woman had only stayed for a moment. He could feel her distress, but couldn't hear what was said, for he was too far away and didn't dare get any closer to the openness of the small farm. He watched carefully as the woman vanished down the road to the small cluster of farmsteads just down the way. The wind picked at her skirts and pulled at her earth brown hair. His eyes narrowed as he watched a light grow from the front window. Smoke from the chimney gust with renewed vigor. Someone had stocked the fire and added wood. The Lady Megumi no doubt.

Though the night was already nearing its peak, the darkness grew as clouds covered what light the moon gave, and the wind brought the skin prickling cold. Autumn was close at hand. Aoshi would have left by now, seeing nothing amiss except the fact that Megumi was awake. But he kept his ground crouched in his wolf form in the forest by the road. His black fur helped him melt into the shadows and kept him warm from the wind. He could taste frost in the air; the storm was bringing nothing but ill tidings.

a/n So we have a little taste for the life here. And Kenshin seems to be a bit of a jam… of course this will only help "jam" Aoshi and Misao together. And Megumi is up to something. We'll just have to wait and see what she has planed Thanks for reading! Reviews are loved!