AN: Welcome to the last few chapters of OH! confetti spills through the air It's almost done! happy dance No worries though, be looking for the possible sequeal/prequel that will go into Saitou's experiences in Nagoya. Here we go! WHEEE!

Thanks to: Vampmistress76, and Deadlydiva08 for smiting my writers block, particular emphasis for deadlydiva's efforts

because they got my plot bunnies going!

CSS- stabbity stabbity DEATH attack

Me- WAI! gasp I own nothing dies from stabitty stabbitying-ness

Ikuzolet's go

Masa ka impossible

I've had no end of trouble trying to find a way to seperate the point of views. I've corrected it three times through the stupid editor thingy and it won't let me keep the stars I have to seperate the views. I apologize for the incovienence, maybe one of you faithful reviewers can tell me how to getthe spaces I put inand random other things I tried inserting to keep it seperated.

Saitou grew tense, the further they traveled down the hallway. The air about them seemed warmer, only adding to the tension about them. Saitou wiped the sweat off his brow, wondering if Kanryuu had changed the temperature on them as well, just to add to their frustration. His arm twitched, ready to pull out his sword. Aoshi stalked beside him, azure eyes narrowed as they glanced to and fro, sharp and alert for anything that could come their way. There was little to be comfortable about in this place. Saitou glanced at Aoshi from the corner of his eye. If you looked hard enough you could see the muscles under his shoulders tense, anxious for the fight to come. Behind them was the ahou, Sano, who had his hands over his head, fishbone in his mouth, feining unconcern at either of them.

Why hadn't they run into guards yet? Or at least a few lackies? Surely Kanryuu wouldn't just let them walk right up? He was too much of a coward to let them succeed this easily. If Kanryuu knew they were coming, was there anything they could do to throw him off? Had he calculated everything as he had in the Shinsengumi? He had known about their attack in the night from the looks of his men. They'd all been armed. But how did he know? Saitou had handpicked the men in the squads, nearly sure of their loyalty. Surely Kanryuu hadn't infiltrated that far? Saitou frowned, hating every step of the way, knowing Kanryuu had plotted their demise at least a hundred different ways. They'd been caught once again with their pants down. Now they were running around like chickens with their heads cut off.

Aoshi caught the expression Saitou wore.

"He will have several traps along this path. He knows we're here and we've played into his hands. We must continue if we want a chance at saving Misao. If we do not show, he will kill her. I know. I remember what he would do to his victims. I will not risk that"

"I wasn't saying risking Misao's life, in fact I don't remember saying anything ice block. There's more death than need be in this case as it is already, her death would only bring me more paperwork" Saitou grumbled, inwardly kicking himself for being so non chalant.

Aoshi's eyes narrowed and Kodachi shifted in his iron like grip.

"Do not be so flippant about her death. If we do not find her alive, her blood will be on your hands and the Oniwabanshuu will be forced to repay that blood debt with your own." Aoshi's eyes were fierce, azure piercing amber eyes.

Saitou glared. "I was making light of the situation, Shinomori. By Meiji law, you all should have been disbanded, you are very fortunate that your information helps the police bureau; otherwise I would clear you out myself. Don't threaten me" Saitou replied icily, sword shifting as his ki rose.

"You were warned" Aoshi shrugged, taking the lead.

Saitou grumbled in silence. He would never risk Misao's life. Maybe there was a way he could snub it in Shinomori's face that she'd chosen him rather than the ex okashira. About to say something, Saitou's mind gave in to a different thought entirely.

Those green lifeless eyes stared at him, as she lay in a pool of her own blood, braid caked in it, along with chunks of her flesh.

Saitou shivered, the image in his head too real. She had to be alive. She had to be.

Kanryuu harshly led Tokio on, as Soujiro would prod Misao with his sword if he felt her moving too slowly. She turned and glared balefully at him but he wasn't paying attention to her. His eyes were wide, a grin plastered to his face as he watched Kanryuu. As they exited the room, Misao realized that even if she did struggle, there were over twenty escorted guards with them. She would never be able to outrun and fight that many, as well as the tenken to deal with. She just might die here. The thought alarmed her, as it sobered her. Her knees trembled, the thought of her death bleak, sucking the hope out of her. She had only her faith left, faith that the others would find her. Even that was waning.

Saitou…

Jade eyes dimmed and snuffed out to a sea blue, as she was led down another hallway. Kanryuu's escorts opened the doors. This room was huge, at least one hundred tatami mats across and probably a hundred and twenty or so long. She was prodded to a staircase on the side of what seemed to be an extended platform. In front of them, a glare stood. Misao frowned.

"Glass, Misao san. Very thick glass. They will be able to see us, but not until too late. Kanryuu has a very special surprise for your friends. It's very…ironic" Soujiro told her, grinning.

Kanryuu threw Tokio back to one of the guards. She cried out in pain, and anguish. She tried to fight her captive. He in turn hit her with the blunt end of his sword, and she tumbled to the floor. The guard brought the sword up her neck, as he held both her hands clasped within his single hand tightly.

So now she fights Misao scoffed, unbelieving the woman. The will of the gods my ass….

"Tokio san, so feisty today I see. It's a pity we do not have more time. I'm sure my men would love to see that in their beds."

"You bastard! You're too cowardly to fight my husband man to man and must use me and her as a pawn."

"My my Tokio san, you must have a few husbands, if you refer to Saitou so lovingly. Alas my dear, I have a secret for you Tokio san" Kanryuu told her, cold black eyes feeding off of her despair. She sobbed. He bent low and whispered something in her ear.

Tokio let out a bellow that can only be described as a roar. She fell to the floor in anguish, and Misao, despite the cruelty she had experienced from the woman, felt pity clutch her heart. What had Kanryuu said to her? Misao could read lips, but his had been shielded by Tokio's long black hair. Tokio's burn't sienna eyes dimmed, as tears slid down her cheeks. She had gone deathly pale. Poor woman. She would most surely die, gods will or not. Kanryuu was too cruel to let her live, and her play as a trump card over Saitou would only go so far. Kanryuu would get more use out of killing her in front Saitou then keeping her alive and torturing her.

"Take her away. You know where" Kanryuu ordered the nearest guard.

"Soujiro, let the others know that it is time" Kanryuu snapped, throwing off his white gloves. A servant bent to pick them up and disappeared amongst the soliders.

"Hai, Kanryuu sama!" Soujiro said cheerfully, bursting into his shukuchi as he startled the men around him. Misao eyed them. They were afraid of Soujiro…but almost as if he were a curse or a mythological creature. They'd probably heard about the legends of Shishio and the juppongatana. Perhaps she could use that later on.

Misao took a good look at the room. She added it into the map in her head, comparing, trying to figure out which level they were on, and from the base of the structures she's seen, if they had any other floors beneath this. Speculating wasn't doing her any good. Misao sighed and focused on the situation at hand. They were on the farthest length of the rectangular room. The glass stood in front of them, the glare obvious to her eyes. They would have to hide that somehow. On the other side of the glass, the door slid open from the wall and thirty men entered into the room, armed with swords and guns. Gun powder….the smoke from that many guns, as well as thirty men to fight would most assuredly draw them away from the glass. She glanced carefully at the walls. To her left…something wasn't right. The walls didn't look the same as the other side. She could put her finger on what it was exactly. She was yanked harshly back to reality, as a sword was at her own throat, choke hold tight enough for her to gasp and struggle, nearly slicing herself.

The man grinned licking his lips, breath tingling down her neck, as she shivered in disgust. He held her harshly, his hand roaming to her ribs as he pulled her against him tightly.

"If we have time bitch, I'll make you scream a thousand ways to the afterlife" He whispered, snickering. Misao closed her eyes, trying to block him out, praying. His cry shocked Misao thoroughly. She froze, as his lifeless body slumped against her back and fell to the floor, His blood spilling at her feet.

"She is mine. Kanryuu sama entrusted her to my care." Soujiro's possessive voice said, eyes gray in their intensity, his voice dark, and unfamiliar. She turned, green eyes wide with alarm, as she stared at the boy, who seemed to be someone completely different. Rough hands took her, and his sword was now held at her throat, as he brought her close. Misao shivered, unsure if she was safer or worse off than before.

Kanryuu seemed mildly unconcerned that he'd lost an escort and with a flick of his hand, the body was removed. His blood stained her tabi, and Misao desperately longed to change them, to step out of the puddle that formed about her. She trembled, mind going back through her fight in the temple, of the blood that had been on her hands.

Saitou…Aoshi…come quickly…please!….she prayed

Saitou snarled, sword biting into the guards skin, slicing him through. He pulled it out, twisting and lunging, the guard gouging himself on Saitou's sword like a spear. He parried another guard's sword, sending him flying to be run into by his partner next to him. Aoshi whirled, twin kodachi deadly with their aim and rage, as he cut into guard after guard, his defensive position unbreakable as it changed and flowed. Kodachi came up and down in beautiful dance of death, as the guards blood splattered to the walls. Sano roared his fury, jumping and kicking and punching, his Futate no Kiwami crushing skulls with his impact. He snorted, as he eyed the dead men sprawled around his feet. The last guard hit the floor and the three caught their breath. Saitou bent down, resting on his sword, as Aoshi cleaned his blades, walking through the corpses as he searched for something.

"Shit.." Sanosuke gasped, resting against the wall. "How many more till we reach him?" He panted

"Several. We have to hope that none are coming up from behind us as well. Rest, he's trying to tire us out" Saitou replied, face pale and eyes closed. He pulled out a ration of rice cakes from his pocket. He threw one at the tori atama, eating the other.

Sano caught it and took it without complaint, glad for anything edible at this point.

"No plans or floor maps on any of them, not even keys… they did have this though" Aoshi said, tossing the jug to Saitou.

Saitou opened the cork, sniffing it. Sake filled his nostrils, the blood lust rising. This was as good of a time as any to have a drink. Saitou took a swig, amber eyes nearly glowing in their intensity as strength and warmth returned to him. He put the cork in, tossing it to Sano.

"A blessing from the gods!" Sano cried, throwing the cork, and taking a swig. He spluttered a bit, swallowing and taking another swig.

Saitou grimaced in disgust and annoyance. His breath was back…gods he was getting to old for this. Perhaps someday he could settle down and retire…to do what? Sit around all day? Be like Battousai, and whore himself out to the next available female to do laundry and dishes? No way. Saitou would do this till he was old or died in the line of duty. Nothing would ever make him that desperate.

"It's cheap, but decent for these sort of guards" Sano said cheerfully with a sheepish grin.

Saitou rolled his eyes.

"Are you rested?" Aoshi asked them both, but directed the comment towards Saitou azure eyes narrowed as a cold grin spread across his features.

Saitou ignored the insinuated comment at his health and rose.

"Ikuzo" He said sternly, sake having renewed his strength, he was ready once more for blood. Which was good, because guards came uttering battle cries. Saitou launched up from his crouch into his Gatotsu, Yellow eyes fierce in their intensity, as a wolfs grin slid across his features.

Aoshi gasped, arm bleeding from a cut. If he hadn't had his jacket it might've been deeper. Saitou stood, smoking a cigarette, one leg leaning against the wall the other on the floor, disdainfully waiting for them. Aoshi took off the tatters that were his jacket, cringing. He ripped a cleaner strip from his jacket and used it to bandage the wound. Sano lay on the floor, panting, wheezing and gasping, taking his rest as best as he could.

"How many was that…thus far?" Sano wheezed, clutching his head from a minor gash he'd received by head butting one of the lackies.

"3 groups, not counting the first. We should be nearing the main event. Kanryuu wants us tired but alive enough to see whatever theatrics he has prepared." Saitou said, flicking his cigarette in the pile of dead bodies and blood.

"She's near! This way!" Aoshi cried, taking off down the hall. Yellow eyes focused, narrowed and Saitou took off after him.

Sano groaned.

"I. Hate. This." He grumbled, taking off after them, sore muscles reminding him of his soon to be limits.

Misao felt Soujiro's hot breath upon her neck, and quivered, terrified. His grey eyes weren't even upon her.

"Kanryuu sama, they're coming…" He said excitement and anticipation filling his tone with delight. He shifted on his feet, adjusting her shoes, eagerly.

Misao eyed the door. Her ki flickered and rose. Something was dreadfully wrong. Why would Kanryuu need glass between them? Why had Soujiro said it was ironic? Misao closed her eyes, her head starting to hurt.

Misao….

Green eyes snapped open wide; that voice haunted her in her nightmares, the hair on her neck stood up and she closed her eyes, wondering if she could somehow hear the voice better with them closed.

Misao….

There was no mistaking that voice…as much as it terrified her, she couldn't ignore him.

Hannya? She thought, wondering if he would hear her, trembling.

MMMMIIIISSSAAAOOOOO….

Misao's scream startled Soujiro. He removed his blade before she cut herself on it. Her eyes were a blank green, as she shook her head and covered her ears a ear splitting shriek filling the room.

Even Kanryuu sama had been startled by her outburst. "Contain her!" He ordered.

She hit the floor, hands smearing into the blood from the man he'd killed.Her bread fell over her shoulder dipping into the blood, as it was smeared down her hands and legs. She continued to shake, uncontrollably. Grey eyes widened in alarm. What was going on? Misao was in the blood? No! Something inside of him shrieked in horror as he watched her in the blood. Not her. He couldn't watch anymore. He lifted her underneath her armpits, begging her to her feet, as she sobbed. She fought him for a second, and then her green eyes cleared to jade, seeming to come out of whatever fit she was in. What the hell had just happened to her? She trembled, Collapsing into Soujiro's embrace. Soujiro, who was clearly shocked by what had happened fumbled, trying to support her weight, lifting her up. He took off his Haori, wiping her hands and legs frantically, needing to get the blood off of her. She would not have the blood of his deaths on her body.

Misao came out of her trance staring deeply in to clearly shocked and lost depths of grey marble. Soujiro's eyes reveiled everything in that moment and Misao could see the wall reflected in them. Her held her, desperately trying to wipe off the blood, having taken off his own Haori in the attempt to do so.

And suddenly what Hannya had told her resounded with a fierce clarity. Oh gods….they're going to shoot them with gatling guns! The wall was a decoy…

Gun shots pulled Misao out of her trance. Saitou, Aoshi and Sanosuke had burst through the doors and were fighting the men and dodging bullets from Kanryuus decoy men he had in there. OH gods…Kanryuu was going to kill his own men in the process.

"SAITOU, IT'S A TRAP! GET AWAY, RUN! IT'S A TRAP!" Misao screamed at the top of her lungs. Soujiro silenced her warning, the hilt of his blade ringing hard against her neck.

All three men stopped, tense. They had miscellaneous cuts and small wounds along the way. All of them grimaced, knowing whatever was behind this door would be the worst they'd experienced yet. Kanryuu was behind this room. Vengeance was needed on all sides, for various reasons. Honor would be restored this night.

"This is the room; remember they're more than likely expecting us. Be prepared for anything." Aoshi said softly, unsheathing his kodachi and making ready his other weapons.

Saitou gripped his sword handle, eyes molten gold in their intensity. His hand gripped his katana fiercely, battle lust rising. Kanryuu would answer to his Gatotsu this time. Aoshi's eyes gleamed harsh Azure, as he clenched his Kodachi. He would rescue Misao, and restore his honor. Sanosuke couldn't feign unconcern. He was too excited. Finally he would be able to show these two what he was made of. He would prove that he was every bit as capable as the two nimwits standing next to him.

Saitou eyed Aoshi. Aoshi knodded and prodded Sanosuke. Sanosuke beamed a grim and a thumbs up, and opened the door.

Soujiro could feel their ki.

"They're here!" He said, his grip on Misao tightening.

All of them letting forth battle cries, as Aoshi loosened his own kodachi. Saitou and Sanosuke veered to the left or right, taking out the gunners. Aoshi let his ninja stars fly, knowing he'd sharpened them earlier intentionally. He would reap every last bit of pain and agony from them. They cut into the guards in front of him, some of them having been aimed at their eyes and face. The grown men howled, and grabbed their faces uttering their pain. Aoshi cut them down mercifully before they could feel anymore. There was just too many to take his time for his departed comrades. Whispering a silent prayer of forgiveness, Aoshi sliced a guard right behind his head. With his teeth he undid the special powder bombs traditional to the Oniwabanshuu ninja. Smoke rose in the place, as Aoshi smirked. Now the odds were evened.

Gun powder blared, the bullets whizzing by Saitou as he took his first victim, and used his corpse as a shield. He threw the body into a soldier, producing a shriek as Saitou drove his sword through both of the bodies, a trick he'd picked up from Shishio. He turned quickly slicing the man whose plan was to cut him down from behind. Saitou could see Aoshi, and knew from the feel of his ki that he was attempting something. The powder filled the room, and Saitou nodded to him in approval. The ex Okashira never saw him to preoccupied with slicing a man's head off as his kodachi danced.

Saitou could see out of the corner of his eyes Sansouke prowless in battle. He'd improved greaty since the last time. He was no match for either Aoshi or him, but improvement none the less was good for the ahou. Saitou slashed his way through the room, and suddenly he hit something hard. Knocked to his rear, furious beyond all belief he stood up. His gloved hands touched the surface. What the Hell?

The smoke was clearing. Men lay in groups, gasping for their last breaths. Aoshi walked forward, trenchcoat torn, lip bleeding and bruised. Sanosuke walked forward to join Saitou as well knuckles bloodied Molten eyes gleamed, and narrowed.

"You always were a coward Kanryuu" Saitou yelled through the glass.

"And you always were too sure of yourself Hajime" Kanryuu retorted back.

"Shinomori, Aoshi? What a pleasant surprise. I'm honored you even had the courage to come back her after what you'd done. Care to try a second time to watch your beloved die?" Soujiro ushered Misao forward.

"MISAO!" Aoshi cried, trying to drive his kodachi into the glass. It glanced off jarring his hand and slicing it. Aoshi dropped the kodachi, ripping his trench coat quickly to apply the pressure to his hand before he lost a lot of blood. He wrapped it tightly glaring balefully through the glass. Soujiro's hand covered her mouth. Misao was clearly terrified.

"Well that was pathetic. And where is Himura the man slayer?" Kanryuu asked, puzzled.

Sanosuke turned red with anger. "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? YOU'RE A ASSHOLE AND A FOOL TO IGNORE ME! KENSHIN'S NOT HERE BUT I'M MORE THAN ENOUGH TO DEFEAT YOU YOU SON OF A BITCH" Sanosuke cried, charging the glass.

Kanryuu eyed the man interested. Not many talked to him as such. His death would be slow and painful. Perhaps he could have his physicians save him before he died….and then play with him….Kanryuu smirked.

"FUTAE NO KIWAMI" Sanosuke cried, his fist met the glass head on, and the sound rippled off the glass. A crack could be heard, but it wasn't the sound of the glass. It was the sound of Sano's fist. He cried out pain, tears streaming down his face as he clutched his fist. Saitou shook his head. Baka ahou…he hadn't changed at all. Had to go in fists swinging. Did he honestly think he'd break the glass?

Kanryuu's high pitched laughter echoed across the room. Kanryuu seemed to have broken out into hysterics, his entire body shaking. Sano glared, wishing looks could kill at this point. He used the bandages he normally wore about his waist to work on the hand.

"That was amusing. I've never seen anyone so stupid in my entire life as your little rag tag army Hajime." Kanryuu huffed, wiping the tears from his face as he grinned.

Saitou wasn't even going to justify that with a comment.

"Nothing whitty more to say? No snide comments, or rhetorical comebacks? No? Nothing? Ah well…." Kanryuu paused, wiping his glasses upon his vest to clean them.

"I guess this is the part that I kill you. Too bad, I had so many more amusing games to play with you before you died. Oh well, you always never exceeded my expectations…Goodbye Hajime"

Misao bit Soujiro hand hard, jerking her head away from his grip.

"SAITOU IT'S A TRAP, GET DOWN!" Misao shrieked, sprinting down off the platform. Soujiro shook his hand and was after her.

"IT'S A TRAP!" She screamed, and Soujiro grabbed her bread, jerking her back. He knocked her out, and the room began to rumble.

"MISAO!" Saitou cried, slamming his fists on the glass.

The room rumbled and shook, and the walls on Saitou's right began to move. Aoshi walked, in a trance towards the wall.

"Masa ka…." Aoshi whispered, falling to his knees.

Saitou stood there, fury coursing it's way through ever muscle, every limb. Of course. They would die by gatling guns. It was fitting wasn't it….

"Damn it" Saitou whispered slamming his fist into the glass again. He got out his sword, and walked towards the guns. He would die fighting.

"May you never reach the afterlife" Kanryuu bid, hand up obviously signaling the operators of the guns.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Saitou was flying before he even registered what was happening, partially deaf from the explosion, the fire licked the floor, and Saitou remembered thinking how beautiful the red and yellow looked as it danced, smoke rising. Saitou hit the ground hard, shoulder hitting the floor and bits of glass grinding their way into his shoulder as glass shards raining upon him. Instinctively he curled up, covering and protecting his head. Aoshi was either unconscious or still in shock beside him. Sano stood, shirt half missing, hair singed even worse than before as the flames licked at his pants.

"HAHAHA! Take THAT you self righteous BASTARD! Didn't think I had BOMBS, DID YOU? HAHAHAHAHA!" Sano danced.

"I'll have to thank Tsunan for this prototype." Sano muttered gleefully as he danced around a flickering pile of flames.

"It sure does blow the shit out of stuff!" He said cackling.

Saitou tremblingly rose to his feet, clutching his shoulder, and bending down to grab his sword. His own uniform was in tatters, as the fire began to spread. He looked towards the platform. Kanryuu was no where to be seen, an open shouji door giving a good idea of where he'd gone. Saitou kicked Aoshi hard, sheathing his sword. The ex okashira groaned, pulled from his shocked state. He said nothing as he slowly got to his feet. Both watched Sano dance, and accessed their damage. They needed to move quickly. The fires would spread to the rest of the underground mansion, Kanryuu could not be allowed to escape.

Please…Let Misao stay alive…Saitou silently pleaded whatever god would hear him.

Suddenly the glass exploded, shards flying at them. Kanryuu ducked behind the bodies of his guards. He threw himself forward, diving to avoid the rain of glass. Fire was breaking out along the floor. His black beady eyes were wide open, as his soldiers had frozen, some of them mortally bleeding from the glass.

"Idiots!" Kanryuu snapped furious, "retreat! And regroup!"

Kanryuu glared as he watched Saitou, stand clutching his woundered shoulder to gather the rest of his rag tag army. Kanryuu was at a loss for words. Who was that idiot dancing and what the HEL had he done? Kanryuu scoffed. He knew exactly what had happened per say…but How the HELL had some god damned street urchin gotten his hands on bombs of that size and caliber? HOW THE HELL HAD HE DONE IT! Kanryuu clenched his jaw, knuckles white as his thumbs drew blood from his calloused palms. The fires were spreading….How could this happen? He snarled, irritable that he hadn't anticipated this, and more so that he hadn't been able to watch them be shot to death and to be out done by a bumbling idiot. Oh well. He had a few other aces up his sleeve.

"Soujiro, grab her, we're retreating to the rooms….make sure the three are in place" Kanryuu ordered, unsheathing his katana, and sprinting towards the door. Soujiro was bleeding in a few places but examined his precious bundle. Misao seemed to be fine, having effectively shielded her from the glass shards. He picked Misao up, speeding off into his shukuchi.