AN: The plan! DUN DUN DAAA! Yes I ACTUALLY ran spell check through this version too! Yae for me! Lol Just kidding! Thank you guys for reviewing it makes my day and kicks my butt to write more. Just to let you all know I have to drop a class….which blows so I'll be at my JC for ANOTHER crappy semester. But on the brighter hand side I'm getting paid 8.50 an hour at my job, My boyfriend and I have been together for 6 months (a feat in and of itself for me!) and I love my volunteer work I'm doing. Those kids are too great for words.

Anata- Husband and wife use this; it's a term of endearment. Technically it's translated to yours.

Misao trudged into the forest eyes scowering for one Shinomori Ice block. He was around here somewhere. She could feel his anger; it pervaded the forest, filling her with a sense of dread. How in Kami sama's name was she going to get him to be responsible for her? It would take a lot. Misao frowned. She could return the nasty favor Shinomori had given her when he'd tried to seduce her, but somehow the thought of seducing Aoshi only left a bitter taste in her mouth. Besides she couldn't pretend to do that. She didn't know enough about men to make them believe anything about her. But most importantly, She wouldn't sink to his level, no matter how much it satisfied her vengeful side.

Moving the brush aside she felt his ki finally.

"Aoshi?" She called out to the forest, hearing her voice echo a thousand times. She heard the brush, moving and followed it.

Aoshi sat meditating underneath a tree, kodachi laid aside.

"Aoshi?" Misao asked, wondering if he was going to ignore her the rest of their time. How was he going to react to her presence? Their last skirmish certainly hadn't been pretty. He'd wanted to take her title from her.

Ice blue eyes opened, flickering long black lashes as they peered up at her. His eyes turned green as the sun hit them, and not for the first time Misao found herself admiring his beauty. Truly he was a magnificent man, young enough to still be captured by the manner admirers he had, but old enough to be ready to settle down. The ideal man of the Meiji era. But beauty was fleeting, held for only a moment, and within a flicker of Her own sea foam green eyes, the thought vanished; leaving the truth about the man that sat before her.

Their eyes held each other a moment longer before Misao broke the silence.

"I'm coming with you" Misao told him promptly.

Azure eyes blinked.

"Where?"

"To kill Takeda Kanryuu" Misao replied firmly, chin up as she eyed him.

Azure eyes blinked again. His face held no emotion to read, so cold was he.

"Misao-"

"NO! You owe me that much Aoshi. For taking our friends with you, for forcing them to sully their honor, and then ultimately sentencing them to their deaths…"Misao said, voice breaking as the tears surfaced.

"You owe me" She whispered, eyes filled with tears.

Azure eyes narrowed in sorrow, head hung in shame.

"Misao…There's nothing I can do to ever change that. But I cannot let the blood be on your han-" Aoshi whispered, voice soft.

"Bullshit! You choose your cage Aoshi, as well as your path! You can't forgive yourself and I'm tired of this. I spent years of my life, searching for you, waiting for you, wishing you would realize who I am, serving you….but you will never see me for who I am. You don't know me."

Azure eyes looked up at her, as she saw the tears in his eyes.

"Forgive me…" He whispered brokenly

"I can't do that Aoshi. Don't you see? You Never had to ask me for forgiveness. Back then I gave it to you freely." Misao said, smiling at him, as she wiped the tears away.

"It's not enough, Misao mine….I'm still unworthy…"Aoshi whispered.

And you're right Aoshi….there is nothing you can do to make up for all the pain you've caused me in the past, or to our friends. Nothing Aoshi, do you hear me? But you can begin a new. You can make your future better than the decisions of your past. You do this for me and we'll be even, for all of the pain you've caused me" Misao told him harshly.

"Your forgiveness has a price now?" Aoshi asked, Azure eyes frowning.

"All forgiveness has a price Aoshi. That's something I've learned while away from home." Misao replied, arms crossed.

Misao had changed. Her innocence was now tainted. His beautiful green-eyed tenshi had lost her wings. Was she now plummeting towards earth? Knuckles clenched. He had Saitou to thank for it. Saitou had a lot to answer for. Not only taking his green eyed tenshi but for perverting her into something like him. Blood would be on those fragile hands. Hands that he longed to have and hold. Hands that had wrapped around Saitou. Eyebrows knit together as azure eyes narrowed. Control. Focus. Calm. Aoshi breathed, letting the negative energy go. Debts would be paid before the end of this. Saitou would answer for his crimes later. The only thing that mattered right now was Takeda Kanryuu.

"I accept" Aoshi replied.

"Good. I'll be back with the others then" Misao said, turning to leave.

"Misao" Aoshi said softly, but it didn't escape her ears. She stopped.

"Thank you. For your forgiveness." Aoshi told her, azure eyes opening to give her a softened look.

Misao knew better than to look back, but she did it anyways. He had never given her a kind word since he left. The look he gave her was soft. He almost smiled. Pain coursed through her heart as old feelings tried to make their way to the surface. NO! Misao thought angrily quelling such emotions. He couldn't have her. He'd missed his chance. She would not give in to this! Nodding, she made her way through the brush.

Saitou paced the dojo room. What was taking Itachi so long?

Perhaps she was having an "intimate" conversation with Shinomori?

Saitou scowled. The bastard wouldn't dare try to come onto her. Would he? Damned ice block. He'd discarded her just to realize that she was what he wanted all along. He sneered, hand gripping his sword wondering if he should go look for them. No, Misao would just think he was jealous, which was NOT what he wanted….was it?

Gods the girl was confusing him! It was already bad! He couldn't afford to be distracted by this. Not now, not when Kanryuu was so close…That was the focus. Kanryuu couldn't escape this time. Not with everything that had happened. If they let Kanryuu go, he would simply rise again. His particular type of evil needed to be settled…once and for all.

He paced the floor, looking at his watch every now and then. Kenshin sat, Sakabatou resting along his shoulder and he sipped tea.

"Are you really that worried about her Saitou?" Kenshin asked softly.

Yellow eyes shot up and found their way to the sitting rurouni.

"Excuse me?" Saitou asked him, yellow eyes narrowed, as he took a few steps towards the rurouni.

"It seems obvious Saitou. You're pacing the floor, looking at your clock and staring at the doorway."

Yellow eyes narrowed, gleaming dangerously at the rurouni. He was going too far with this.

Kenshin simply smiled, amethyst eyes twinkled with amusement at the obvious discomfort of the ex 3rd captain of the Shinsengumi.

"Speechless Saitou? That's very unlike you that it is. I ask merely because she happens to be someone I care for. If you dare hurt her, you'll regret it. I promise it, that I do" Kenshin told him, amethyst eyes narrowing.

"Chee." Saitou sneered. "You're past your time, Battousai. We both know you're getting older, feebler. Weak. You've no right to threaten me. Quite frankly, I could arrest you for threatening, but it'd be a waste of my time."

Kenshin simply smiled. "I'll be sitting this excursion out, Saitou. Lets see how well you fare without me"

"Haven't you realized it yet? We don't need you!" Saitou replied, angrily.

"The so called hero of Japan….You've been at the right place at the right time Battousai. That's it. I hadn't counted on you coming, seeing as how your wife seems to have such a sway over you." Saitou said slyly, adding to the insult.

Kenshin simply just smiled. "I love my wife. She is my strength and the love of my life. She keeps me stable, and always has the best interests for me. She's like my right arm. I couldn't live without her. Can you say the same about Tokio?" Kenshin asked.

The insult hit deep. It didn't cut the skin, it cut the soul. Saitou turned and walked out, his ki dangerously high. The door slammed as it slid shut.

"I thought not" Kenshin replied softly to himself and went in search of his beloved anata.

Misao walked back, knowing Aoshi was behind her following her to make sure she was safe. Damn it! Why did he have to be all-sweet when she didn't want him! Nearly snarling in contempt Misao made her way towards the dojo. Maybe if she clung close to Saitou, Aoshi would get the picture.

She walked into the gates of the Dojo and made for the door. Saitou stood outside, cigarette in hand and a look that would've made good milk sour.

"S-saitou?"

"Get inside Itachi. We've got things to discuss. Hurry it up Iceblock. We need to plan and get this on with. We've wasted too much time as it is." Saitou told her as well as shouted out to the forests. Shinomori appeared through the foliage and made his way through the gate to the door.

Misao frowned. His voice was just a little bit higher than usual, something had happened and Saitou had been pushed too far. Now he was trying to cover it up with anger and cigarettes. Following along, Misao could see the tension in Saitou walk. What had happened? What would make Saitou loose his cool demeanor? Tokio….. Some one…either Sanosuke or Kenshin….most likely Kenshin had brought up Tokio. That was the only thing that would hit so deep with the Mibu wolf. Misao's frown deepened. She would have a talk with both before she left.

Aoshi entered and came to stand a few feet behind her. He was most definitely not helping to brighten her mood. Saitou sat, followed by Misao and Aoshi.

"Alright let's-"

CRASH

"You are NOT starting this meeting without me!" Sanosuke crashed through the shouji door.

Saitou's fist clenched, blood vessel appearing on his forehead.

Sanosuke glared at Saitou, folding his arms against his chest.

"You can't stop me from coming you know" He told Saitou, grinning from ear to ear.

"You'd be surprised. I'll deal with you in a second. In the mean time the captain of the Tokyo police department should be here any minute. He'll be allowing us the use of his forces to ensure no one gets away this time."

A knock to the door brought their attention to the captain.

"Goro" The captain greeted bowing.

"Welcome, we've just started. Did you bring the maps I requested?" Saitou asked him.

"Ah." The captain said, a lower officer handing him a case. The captain popped it open, and unrolled the maps.

"Perfect. This is the latest map we have of the house Takeda is in. we suspect that the underground passage goes through here, here and here." Saitou told them, pointing out key points.

"Why there?" Misao asked, curious.

"Given the size of his estate, those are the key points that would have to be enforced, to keep his place from crumbling. Therefore my suspicion is that those are three separate tunnels. Takeda is a man of style and taste. So his underground operation won't all be dirt and rock. He should have a few rooms, mostly likely rooms we'll be fighting in to reach him."

"Rooms? Fighting?" Misao frowned.

Saitou sighed. "Itachi, the man knows we're coming. Therefore he has rooms prepared for us in which we'll be fighting his bodyguards and other hired mercenaries he has working for him."

"How shall we proceed then?" The captain asked.

"The same way we always do. Captain your men will be posted outside, along these perimeters just incase his men try to retreat. I'm not accepting failure. His entire operation needs to be shut down. We'll take Takeda dead or alive as of this point. Me, Aoshi as well as Misao will go inside and find Kanryuu. Inside the tunnels there will undoubtedly be traps and snares along the way, with guards and mercenaries to fend us off. I expect each one of you to use the utmost in caution, approaching the perimeters." Saitou eyes said trailing to Misao's.

Misao flushed, averting her eyes.

"Great, I'll take one tunnel, Itachi and ice block take the 2nd and you'll take the third Saitou" Sanosuke told him, picking up his sake bottle.

Saitou rubbed his temples. "What makes you think I'm involving you on this mission Ahou?"

"Simple, you can't let Itachi go by herself. You'll need one more person and Kenshin is sitting this one out-"

"Battousai isn't coming?" The captain shot, eyes going to Saitou.

Saitou scowled. Damned ahou had to bring that up didn't he?

"No, Battousai is not coming on this one. But it doesn't mean that it can't be handled Captain. We don't need him. We have the ex Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu, as well as the ex 3rd Captain of the Shinsengumi, yours truly involved. We need not stress because Japan's hero, is getting old."

Misao slammed her kunai into the table. "I can handle myself thank you." Her eyes glared at Sanosuke.

"Saitou this is ridiculous, there's no need to involve Sanosuke. I can handle it-"

"Sit down Itachi. He's got a point." Saitou ordered.

Misao glared daggers at him.

"I don't say that lightly. I know perfectly well what your capable of. This kind of mission you most certainly could handle with mercs I've fought in Nagoya. However, we don't know which tunnel Soujiro, the Tenken will be in. I won't be risking your life, so Aoshi goes with you, just incase. As far as your concerned Ahou, I don't particularly care if you die. You're expendable. Try not to get yourself killed and try to make sure no one gets passed you."

Misao grimaced. She'd have to go with Shinomori? Totally unfair. Why was Saitou being like this? Frowning Misao took a sip of her tea.

"Alright so you three go in and we just wait?" The captain asked, rather put out.

"As with anything Kanryuu does, all three tunnels will lead to a single huge combat room. I suspect he'll have Gatling guns and mercenaries of sorts and whatever else suits his flare for the dramatic. He'll also have an escape. The closest escape from here, is Tokyo bay. You and I both know that there's sand and caves around the area. One of those will lead to Kanryuu's set up. He always has an escape. I'll be sending some of your men down the to bay to discover which cave it is and blast it so that Takeda cannot get away."

"And how will we know which cave it is? There and hundreds of them down there."

"Takeda's cave will have torches, guards and doors the further you go into the caves. He's too rich not to have modified the cave to suit his needs. It might even have decorative knowing his flare for the dramatic. That's how."

"Ah." The captain replied, obviously unhappy with the way things were being planned. Misao scowled. He wasn't the only one. But it was the best approach. If they let the captains men in first Takeda would run. Three people would be less noticeable than an army of police. It was the best plan, even though Takeda knew they were coming. They could only continue playing into his hands.

"How are we getting into the complex?" Misao asked.

"Simple. We go in through the front doors."

"W-what?" Misao spluttered, coughing on her tea.

"Its something Takeda will least likely think of. He'll know we'll come in separately and try to sneak in. If we enter through the front door we throw him off."

"But we'll also let him know of our coming if we enter through the front door." Aoshi spoke up.

"Precisely" Saitou said setting his chin on his folded hands, eyes gleaming wickedly, dangerously.

"Aah" Aoshi replied, a small smile forming at the corners of his lips.

"Huh?" Misao asked, glancing between the two of them.

"Takeda has too much pride to disappear before we've seen him. He has to talk before he runs. If we come in through the front door we have a strong front and we take him by surprise giving him doubt about our predictability." Aoshi informed her.

Misao frowned. How did they know Takeda didn't have a gatling gun at the front door just incase? This whole plan didn't sound very well….sound to her. Takeda always seemed to have something up his sleeve. If he could so easily kill his own men, Misao's fallen comrades, what would he do to them incase this plan failed?

"If that's settled we'll take the house at night, I suggest you prepare your men. Does Midnight sound too cliché?" Saitou asked, with a smirk.

"Two o' clock" Aoshi replied.

"Two o' clock?" Saitou replied.

"Ahh…Its where the guards are at their weakest."

"Very well then gentlemen. Rest until then" Saitou told them, getting up. The rest of them left leaving Misao alone in front of the map. Something didn't sit right with her soul. Something terrible was going to happen. She could feel it.

(An: Short update I know, but it's my spring break so I felt I had to do something productive. Be looking for Misao's little talk with Kenshin and Sano in the next chappy as well as the POA commencing. Remember your reviews encourage me to write more. Until next update, Ja ato de!)