((AN: Congradulations Night Owl for winning the fan art pic! The review number was 77 by the way.If you like this fanfic and enjoy other Misao pairings, particularily Saitou/Misao and Battousai/Misao head to this group on yahoo groups called amberhorizons and crimson sunsetsand check out some of the fanfiction. Thereare citrus and lemons on it so beware. But I think It's pretty awesome and the people are nice. My fanart is posted in the Photo section.

"Baka Itachi girl" Megumi's cold voice woke Misao.

Her eyes opened alarmed, and she shot up from the bed, only to clutch her head as a throbbing pain exploding through her senses.

"Don't get up!" Megumi hissed forcing Misao back down. "When I told you no training I should've just tied you to a chair and thrown you in the furo for a week."

Misao's eyes had adjusted to the light and now she could see Megumi's cold brown eyes harden, as she glared down at her.

"When I said no training, I meant NO physical activity of ANY kind. I thought I was being clear enough. I was also naïve enough to think the Baka Tanuki girl would've realized this. Chee" Megumi huffed, throwing her hair over her back, and closing her medical bag.

"You're confined to the dojo for a few days so your head injury can heal. Rest and stay off your feet as much as possible or you might reopen the wound. If that happens I don't know if I can stop the bleeding, so be careful" Megumi told her closing the shouji door.

Kenshin arose from the table as he saw Megumi coming down the hall.

"How is she Megumi dono?" Kenshin asked, violet eyes concerned.

"She's as fine as can be reasonably expected for falling prey to a Baka Tanuki. Don't let her leave the dojo for a few days"

"BAKA TANUKI????? You're the one who wasn't specific about her CARE!" Kaoru screeched, bokken in hand.

"Just because you were too dumb to know that physical exertion would make her faint doesn't mean you can blame your ignorance on me Tanuki girl." Megumi told her exiting the door.

"OOOOooohhh!" Kaoru cried, rolling up her sleeves.

"Koneko!" Kenshin told her grabbing on to her before she could go after Megumi.

"Your condition-" Kaoru had bokkened her poor Rurouni before he could continue.

"OrorOorOo" Kenshin said, eyes whirling from the hit.

"OYE! Koishi! Gomen nasai! Gomen! Gomen!" Kaoru cried hugging him.

"OhOhOhOhO" Megumi's laughter could be heard as she left through the gate.

"BAKA KITSUNE!" Kaoru cried, waving her bokken at her angrily.

"Awww Kenshin, are you alright?" Kaoru asked, returning to him, aqua marine eyes wide as she cradled his head.

"H-hai Koneko, I'm fine, that I am" Kenshin stood up with a smile, rubbing his head.

"What I was going to say was that you shouldn't be running around either, Koneko" Kenshin told her, purple eyes hardening as he met his wife's eyes.

Kaoru flushed guiltily and looked away. So she'd been doing too much. She could normally handle the stress and excitement of her average ordinary day. But now long walks exhausted her. She couldn't even keep up with Yahiko's training.

"I'm sorry" Kaoru whispered.

"You need to let the rest of us help you. You have more than just yourself to care for that you do. Yahiko and I can help with the teaching, and Sanosuke can do the chores. Even Ayame and Suzume chan can do little things. But please don't leave the dojo with out me" Kenshin told her pulling her close and kissing her forehead.

"I don't know what I'd do if something were to happen to you Koneko" Kenshin whispered into her ear softly.

Kaoru melted into the warm, loving hands of her husband and snuggled into the warmth of his haori.

"I just….I didn't mean to make you worry. I just was so excited that Misao was here and wanted to talk to her and tell her the good news…and-"

"I understand Koneko" Kenshin told her kissing her softly.

"I Mmpph-" Kaoru tried to speak, and was promptly cut off by his tongue enveloping hers.

Yellow eyes flickered open as he heard something. Saitou groaned, eyes opening as he heard someone calling his name.

"Hajime san….. Hajime san"

stifling another groan he rolled over, and cursed remembering his shoulder. The wolf was now in a very dangerous mood as he sat up grumpy and groggy. The damned smiling brat stood over him.

"Hajime san, I'm surprised you're alive! I bring news from Nagoya." Soujiro told him.

Saitou snorted. "It'll take more than mere bandits to kill me…Where's Misao?" Saitou asked, standing up and reaching for his pack of cigarettes as he carefully stretched. His shoulder still hurt.

"She's safe at the Kamiya dojo. She passed out along the way, and I left her in their care. I arrived in Nagoya to see what was going on. Here, this is for you" Soujiro told him, handing him an envelope.

Saitou's eyebrow arched. How well he could trust the runt? Less than he could throw him. With a puff of his cigarette, Saitou opened the letter. He glared at Soujiro.

"You opened something addressed to me?" Saitou accused hand reaching for his sword.

"It couldn't be help Hajime san. It could've been crucial to your life, or Misao sans. I weighed my options and made my decision. Forgive me" Soujiro told him bowing low.

"I should arrest you for mail fraud" Saitou grumbled, opening the letter, and taking a deep drag of his cigarette to soothe his irritation.

The letter read

Hajime,

You should not have come. Your death will be waiting for you in Nagoya.

Saitou scoffed and crumpled the paper, stuffing it in an un ripped pocket of his uniform.

"Hajime san, that was a threat to your life" Soujiro told him, frowning.

"Oh it was right about one thing. There will be death in Nagoya, but I have no intention of meeting my end there. What are you in this for?" Saitou pressed, wanting real answers to why the runt was following him.

"I've already told you Hajime san, I heard you in the forest and was concerned and decided to lend a helping hand. I too was traveling to Nagoya based on bad rumors, seeing if I could lend a hand in some way to the local authorities."

"You're lying" Saitou observed. Soujiro said nothing. "But until I figure out the truth you're coming with me. If you resist, of course, you'll make things more interesting" Golden eyes flashes dangerously, daring the boy to try it.

"There is no reason for me to resist Hajime, I was going to Nagoya anyways and now I'll have the company of a Meiji officer for added protection" Soujiro told him smiling.

"Protection?" Saitou questioned.

"There are many a swordsman in Nagoya" Soujiro replied shrugging.

"I've fought many men "claiming" to be swordsman before" Saitou told him frowning.

"and this is the Meiji era. Local authorities are confiscating swords. It's a deliberate violation of the law to carry and wield one without a specific permit and papers."

"That didn't stop Himura san from wielding one" Soujiro pointed out.

Saitou's eyed narrowed.

"The revolution was the revolution. The Meiji is the Meiji. Battousai is Battousai. He cannot let go of the past." Saitou replied, venom laced with his words as the smoke from his cigarette fizzled from the leaks in the roof. Amber eyes were hardened, lost in some secret battle of the past.

"Then you know that there will be others unable to forsake the past. Especially in Nagoya. It's a city that is overrun with corruption and poverty. Carrying a sword there is needed in order to protect ones self and ones loved ones. The police can't stop them, even if they wanted to because they're being eaten away from within their own system" Soujiro told him.

"Excuse me?" Saitou asked him, eyebrow arching in disbelief.

"The police officers there do not hold to your standards, or the standards or your police headquarters Hajime. The city is being overwhelmed with corrupt officers, gangs and various other affiliations of crime. There are several embittered groups still left from the Bakumatsu, and other clans from the shogunate who would love to seethe Meiji fall. It's about which group you owe your loyalties to, not the cause"

Nagoya was certainly a city of corruption. Saitou knew that full and well. The upper aristocracy lived separate from the peasants, locking themselves with in the castle and bitching about the Meiji era and what they did in their days. Damned arrogant ignorant elders. He hated to think that their police officers had become tainted. He'd seen it many a time, and it was certainly quite possible, but it caused problems for the Meiji government. It once again gave a bad rep to the era and it's leadership. Pulling out another cigarette and lighting it up, Saitou took a deep drag.

"Shall we leave then?" Soujiro asked, lacing up his ties.

"Sounds fun" Saitou told him with a grin. "But first I need an adequate change of clothes, and a doctor" Saitou told him with a grimace and rolled his shoulder.

Misao's eyes fluttered. So she'd passed out. Again. It was getting quite old.

"MISAO!" Kaoru told her, glomping her and squeezing her in a strangling hug"

"AhK" Misao cried getting entangled in Kaoru's arms.

"K-aoru….Can't…Breathe…." Misao told her.

"Whoops!" Kaoru told her giggling and letting go.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't even know that you couldn't do anything. I just wanted to hear about Aoshi, but I didn't realize that you weren't in a condition to walk because Megumi hadn't mentioned it….. OOOooohhhh that evil skeaming sneaky conniving deceptive kitsune-"

"Kaoru! It's alright" Misao told her, cutting her off. Misao loved her friend dearly but once on the topic of the megitsune her friend would not stop until she'd properly bokkened her to the grave.

Misao took a deep breath. " What time is it?"

"It's mid afternoon" Kaoru told her cheerfully. Misao sighed.

A knock at the door interrupted both girls' thoughts.

"Koneko?" Kenshin asked.

"H-hai"Kaoru answered, flushing.

"Is it alright if I come in?" Kenshin asked.

"It's fine Himura" Misao replied.

The shouji door opened.

"What did you need?" Kaoru asked him, cheeks still flushed from his endearing nickname.

"Actually Koneko I needed to talk to Misao dono alone. Is that alright?" Kenshin asked her.

Aqua marine eyes widened. Misao couldn't miss the obvious hurt in her friends eyes. What did Himura have to talk to her for?

"H-hai" Kaoru told him, walking outside the door and down the hall trying to hide the hurt she felt.

"Misao dono" Kenshin told her, closing the shouji door.

"Yes Himura?" Misao acknowledged him.

"I have a few questions for you, that I do. I trust you'll answer me honestly if you can." Kenshin told her, sitting down on the floor.

"I guess" Misao replied, worrying now that her worst fear was being brought in the open.

"Alright….Why did Soujiro bring you here?" Kenshin told her, amethyst eyes searching hers carefully.

"I-….I honestly don't know Kenshin" She told him. It was a little white lie. She didn't know why he'd brought her here rather than taking her back to Hajime.

"Alright then. Were you traveling with Soujiro?"

"Yes" Misao replied, feeling her confidence rise.

"Why were you traveling with him?" Kenshin asked her.

"I-…..I can't tell you that Himura" Misao told him honestly. She couldn't mention Saitou into this discussion. It was too difficult to explain and Himura would instantly hunt him down.

"Is it Oniwabanshuu business Misao dono?" Kenshin asked her.

"Along those lines yes." Misao replied, hating every second of having to lie to her friend. The pain of the empty void of her family wrenched her heart.

"Very well then, it is a question of honor. I shall leave it be. Where did you get your injuries?" Kenshin asked her.

"From a group of bandits" Misao started. "We- er…I was fighting them."

"Is that why you were unconscious when Soujiro dropped you here?" Kenshin asked perceptively.

"Hai" Misao told him frowning. Gods he was putting two and two together quickly.

"Misao dono. I need you to be honest. Who was with you on your excursion from Kyoto?" Kenshin asked her.

"W-w-hat?" Misao asked startled. How did he know she was coming from Kyoto. Did he know already who was with her? No, it was obvious she would leave from Kyoto. She lived there! He was digging for information.

"Well Himura, I traveled with an old ally" Misao told him.

"Misao. I received a letter from Okina asking if you had come here and to contact him if you did. What is going on?" Kenshin asked her, hurt in his voice.

"I can't tell you Himura…I –just….Please don't tell Jiya I'm here" Misao told him eyes filling with tears.

"Misao…did you run away from home?" Kenshin asked her.

Misao said nothing, the tears spilling over her cheeks.

"Oh Misao dono…." Kenshin told her, eyes filling with sympathy. Misao couldn't keep the tears from brimming over and desperately tried to wipe her eyes.

"They don't know I'm here…" Misao whispered. "Please…" She begged. "Please don't tell them Himura"

"Misao dono they are worried for you. They haven't heard from you for the past week with the way the mailing system works. I-"

"I can't go back Himura….The damage has been done. You wouldn't understand. If you are honor bound to tell them, I will have to leave here." Misao told him, eyed a dark jade as she looked straight into his eyes, determined.

"Misao dono they are your family that they are. This isn't right of you to do this. Surely Aoshi is-"

"Aoshi doesn't matter." Misao snapped, angry that everyone had to bring him into the picture.

"Misao dono be reasonable. You have no where to go. No one to take care of you. It's very dangerous out in this world-"

"I am NOT a child anymore Himura. I am a grown woman. I'm to understand you left Hiko at an early age as well."

"I left to fight in a war that shouldn't have been fought in the first place. I sacrificed my soul and became a hitokiri. And I have never stopped regretting it Misao."

"If you send them after me I will fight them on my own. But I will not be dragged back like some child" Misao replied, coldly.

"I won't tell them anything that I won't Misao dono" Kenshin told her.

"REALLY?! You're the BEST HIMURA!" Misao told him glomping him in a hug.

"Ororororo….You're going to be the one to tell them, that you are Misao dono" Kenshin told her through her death grip.

"What?" Misao replied, instantly releasing the rurouni and glaring at him.

"You are going to write a letter to them that you will, explaining that you are alright so that they do not worry. You do not have to disclose your locations, but they need to know that you are safe Misao dono" Kenshin told her firmly. He could only imagine Okina, Okon and Omasu's grief.

"Hiiimmuuurraa!!!" Misao whined.

"Get to work Misao dono" Kenshin told her, getting up and leaving through the shouji door.

Kenshin went to go console his wife, who was probably not pleased that he had just spent alone time with Misao. She could be so….so silly at times. It hurt that she didn't seem to trust him. But he loved her and would give his life easily to make her happy. And right now she needed to be reassured that she was the only one that could fill his heart with joy. Kenshin took a deep sigh. How was he ever going to survive her pregnancy? Shuffling towards their room he opened the shouji door.

Misao sat down sighing. Great. How was she ever going to get out of writing the letter? Simply stated she couldn't. If she didn't write the letter she wouldn't be able to stay here and this was where Saitou was going to find her. Blast it! She didn't have anything to say to her ex family members. They hadn't even come for her in the jail cell, why would she care if they were worried about her or not? It was a little late for a lame effort.

But they had written Himura…Probably because they thought she would come crying back to them and settle down in a boring typical housewife's role. To hell with that! Misao was out on her own adventuring and discovering. She had a job all on her own now. She was learning things. Looking around her room, Misao opened drawers trying to find some paper and ink. She had to make an effort. She opened a shouji door leading to a closet and had to gasp as she stared. All of her belongings from the forest were there.

Examining them carefully, Misao knew that no one had been into her things. She had a meticulous way of packing things. Her bedroll wasn't there, but that didn't matter. Opening up the sheath she once again felt the joy and wonder of holding her sword. She couldn't do any of the exercises Saitou had taught her until her head injury healed. Brushing her hands carefully behind it, she was pleased to note that it was a scab. A very delicate scab but the ointments Megumi had left for her were working wonders.

How was she going to practice if she couldn't be caught with it? Surely Kenshin would wonder if something was up if she was wielding a sword. Kaoru would force the information out of her and then make her learn the kamiya style. Misao didn't want to learn from Kaoru….she wanted to learn from Saitou.

Once again her thoughts drifted to those endless amber depths. Once again Misao prayed to whoever would hear her that he was safe and would come for her….and soon. Sighing, she continued her search and finally after about 20 minutes of turning the room upside down she found her materials. Sitting down she composed a letter to her family.

After all she didn't have to mail it. She'd simply write the letter, show it to kenshin and leave it be.

5 days later….

Misao blew the bubbles at Ayame and Suzume chan, the two girls giggling with glee. She was as good as new, proclaimed by Megumi. Her head wounds had healed in the past week Misao had been here. Misao took a deep breath. The sun was shinning the day was beautiful, and she felt relaxed. Being with her friends had restored her good mood and humor wiping away the pain of her family, restoring her attitude and refreshing her soul. She was ready to take on the world again. She was once again Makimachi Misao, superb runner, and deadly ninja. She had gained something she had been missing for months. She had regained her confidence and earned her independence. It felt good to be away from everything, but Misao found it hard to sleep at night, knowing Saitou was out there somewhere, perhaps already dead. He would come her mind reassured her. He would return if only to finish his mission. Saitou was determined.

Misao was met with an onslaught of water and shuddered as the breeze froze her.

"Oohh!" Misao shrieked, glaring daggers for the perpetrator.

"Don't like to get wet Busu Itachi?" Yahiko challenged.

"OOOOOoohhh you little bra-" Misao cried, about to fling a rag at him.

Misao stood. Frozen staring in the distance. She couldn't move. She couldn't breathe. Her heartbeat drummed in her head. She swallowed, her throat already dry. And those piercing eyes, those eyes she had sought after for so very long, held her captive in their frozen gaze. He came in through the open doors of the gates, kodachi sheathed over the shoulder of his trenchcoat.

Shinomori Aoshi strode to her. Misao's mind was racing….was screaming for her to say something, to say anything, to DO SOMETHING.

"Misao" His voice whispered stopping in front of her staring down at the her, as he always had, as he always would.

"W-what are you doing here?" Misao choked, backing away, hands trying to reach for something, anything to fight him with.

"Isn't it obvious Misao mine? You have nowhere else to go. No one to take care of you. Except here. So I've found you" Aoshi told her walking towards her. Misao scrambled back, eyes frantic.

Yahiko eyed the two, tense. Whatever it was going on between the two, Misao was afraid.

" Leave her be" Yahiko ordered, drawing his bokken.

Those ice blue eyes fixed upon the boy.

"Little boy, do not try my patience. I have come for one thing, and one thing only, and then I will leave" Shinomori told him, eyes alight with fury.

"Don't touch him" spat Misao, rushing in front of him. She would not have anyone fight her own battles.

Aoshi eyed her. "You know why I'm here Misao mine."

"How DARE YOU!" Misao cried smacking him across the face.

Shinomori's vision blurred as he felt her tiny hand connect with his face. He rolled with it, feeling the stinging sensation tingle around his cheek. And he looked at her, jade green eyes alight with such fierce animosity. All of it directed towards him.

"I deserved that" Aoshi observed, not even bothering to touch the offended swelling cheek.

Ayame and Suzume's cries didn't miss Yahiko's attentive ears. This was getting dangerous quick. The girls didn't need to witness this. He grabbed the girls, throwing them both over his shoulders and taking them inside. This was getting serious. He needed Kenshin. And Quickly before Misao bit off more than she could chew and Aoshi decided to let her have it.

"Damn right you did! How DARE you, come here and try to force my way! I LEFT damn you! You have no authority over me any longer. Do you HEAR ME!" Misao spat, breathing shallowly from her fury, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes glazed with unshed tears.

"I am the Okashira. I am not here to force you to come home Misao mine." Aoshi told her, ice blue eyes still holding hers.

"The HELL you are" Misao snarled, loosing her cool and throwing punches, attempting to round house him. Aoshi caught her foot and threw her back gently.

"Misao. Believe me….Please…through all of the trials in my life, all of the torture, the pain, the blood, and the tears. Through all of this I've come to realize I've only had one constant thing in my life" Aoshi told her.

"SHUT UP!" Misao cried, getting to her feet and launching herself at him.

"And that was you" he told her, backing and dodging and weaving with her punches.

"I hate YOU!" Misao cried, tears streaming down her face as she lashed out.

Kami sama if there is grace left in my life help me to make him stop Misao prayed

"Through everything, you've waited for me, and patiently, with no reward. I never said anything to you. Not a word of thanks, not a word or encouragement. Nothing Misao mine. You were ready to waste the rest of your life caring for me. And I couldn't realize that until the one constant, unchanging thing in my life was gone."

"STOP IT!" Misao snarled, connecting with his cheek again.

"and I realized with horror at what I'd become. What they warned me against. The monster I had recognized and let swallow me again." Aoshi told her.

Misao hit the floor, unable to breathe, eyes wide, tears streaming down her cheeks as she gasped for breath.

"Misao don't you realize that you cleanse the darkness in my soul? That with you, the monsters go away. You fought my demons for me for so long Misao mine"

"I…AM….NOT…YOURS!" Misao snarled, launching into the air with a battle cry.

"KANSATSU TOBIKUNAI!" Misao launched them towards him.

Her eyes closed, clouded by tears that wouldn't end. Gods why now? Why now of all times did HE have to show up. She didn't want him anymore. She couldn't take it anymore. She hit the ground hard hearing her kunai clang.

She looked up helplessly to see Kenshin standing in front of her, sakabatou out. Aoshi had his kodachi unsheathed.

"Noo…" Misao pleaded, hands reaching towards kenshin. "Noo…" She moaned.

"I have not come to fight you Battousai."

"You will not take be taking Misao dono anywhere that you won't" Kenshin told him, feet moving to the battoujitsu stance eyes narrowed.

"I have not come to force her hand. I have come to her because she holds the other half of my soul" Aoshi told him, kodachi unsheathed and threatening.

"and I need her. Perhaps you don't understand that Battousai" Aoshi spat, his eyes hardening as he took a step forward.

"Who better than I, Aoshi to understand what she means to you?" Kenshin replied, unmoving.

"But not like this" Kenshin told him.

"KENSHIN!" Kaoru gave a heart wrenching cry, running from the steps to him. Both men's eyes looked to her, the pain in her voice and her finnicky ki taking their attention for a moment.

"Stop this! NOW!" Kaoru ordered, stepping in between Kenshin and Aoshi.

Kenshin's eyed widened. Now his wife and the safety of his child were at stake. His eyes flaked with gold, as they widened in fear and anger for his wife.

"Put your weapons away. PUT THEM AWAY" Kaoru ordered to them both, eyes filled with tears. Kenshin sheathed his sakabatou and Aoshi slowly lowered and sheathed his kodachi.

"How dare you" She turned on Aoshi. "Trying to force yourself on Misao! And trying to spill blood on MY dojo grounds and MY HOME!" She cried, rounding on him. Aoshi stood, unmoving, glaring down at the girl who trembled with rage.

"You've got some nerve after turning your back on the Oniwabanshuu to come and ruin my home and dojo" Kaoru told him. Aoshi flinched.

Kenshin tensed, eyes flaring golden in their intensity. Just let him lay a finger on her, just a finger and he would cut it off…His hand gripped his sakabatou so tightly his knuckles turned white.

"AND YOU" She cried rounding on Kenshin. "How dare you break your promise and get involved in something you know NOTHING about. You have A CHILD Kenshin! You have A FAMILY! I can't afford to lose you…"Kaoru's bottom lip trembled, and instantly Kenshin's eyes returned to their amathysts depths. They filled with sorrow as he watched his wife shed tears. Taking her into his arms, dropping his sword, her whispered and begged her forgiveness stroking her and reassuring her.

"Certainly a lot of trouble for one girl who doesn't belong to you anymore Shinomori" A certain smug voice came.

All eyes shot towards the intruder, and kenshin's sakabatou was back in his hand as he gripped his wife away from him.

Misao's green eyes shot up. She forced herself to her feet, running for him.

Saitou…

Saitou couldn't help but feel shocked as her body jarred his almost off balance by the strength of her hug. She was crying and sobbing and laughing all at once as she clung to him with a grip that wouldn't let him go. Saitou stroked her head, and looked towards the group, particularily one Shinomori Aoshi who was eyeing him quite maliciously, hand on his sword.

"We've got a problem" Saitou told them, continuing to stroke Itachi, his Itachi's hair reassuringly.

(AN: If you're wondering why Saitou seems OOC I'll be writing a story about his trip to Nagoya and what all occurred after this story. I had to cut it short because it's just getting to long. So you guys will have to wait to here what changed the heart of the wolf. But on the brighter side YAE! I'm so proud of this installment. This last section hit me after watching Naruto….which also rocks. This is about twice as long as I normally make it just so I can start working on my finals. When I have more free time I'll update….ae december 17th. Your reviews rock and are so encouraging to me. Bye all!)