Her first memory is clinging to her grandfather's leg as he addressed the Oniwabanshuu at a meeting. She does not remember what he spoke of, only that she was determined not to let go. It was a childish notion, born of her warped logic at the time.

Perhaps, it was because she had recently lost her parents and thought that Jii-chan would disappear too if she didn't hang onto him.

This did not please a few of the ninja in attendance. They kept looking at her, and they didn't look very happy. One of the kunoichi was trying to coax her away, as if she were a stray cat, but that only made her more determined. She swiveled around, her movement causing the floorboards to squeak.

A snappish voice had asked for permission to speak, before proposing. "Can we have this room only limited to those necessary?"

Misao had gripped her grandfather's calf and frowned. A pair of hands reached for her, but she hopped to the other leg and defiantly glared at the audience.

"Leave her be." Her grandfather said.

"She's a distraction." Someone muttered.

"Hey!" She knew that 'distraction' was the grown-up word for 'annoying'.

"If you're distracted, that indicates a weakness on your part." Jii-chan retorted, and that started a ripple of stifled laughter.

"She's my granddaughter." His voice was brimming with pride as he lifted her to settle her on his shoulders. "The future of the Makimachi clan, and maybe your future leader."

"That's right!" She stuck out her tongue. "And you better not forget it!"

"Aoshi-sama, Aoshi-sama!" Misao leapt into the air, landing squarely at the teenager's back and clutching his neck. He buckled under her weight but didn't fall. "Give me your knives; I want to practice throwing them."

"No."

"Why not?" She cried out, tugging at his hair. "I'm not so little anymore, and I hit the target last week! I'm part of the Oniwabanshuu too, so why can't I do the same things as you?"

"It's too dangerous. You'll slice off your fingers. Then, your grandfather will rise up from his grave and wave them at me, asking why I let you hurt yourself."

"No, he won't." But her stomach lurched a bit. "That's a lie, and you're mean! Now, hand them over." She had tried her best to sound imperious, but at first, she thought that wasn't enough.

He had set her down, glancing around. Then, he sighed and reached into his pocket, pulling out a set of miniscule kunai.

"Don't cut yourself." He warned. "And I'll have my eyes on you the whole time."

She couldn't reply to that, she was too thrilled.

Misao couldn't move, as Aoshi's footsteps faded away.

She felt something break within her, in the space where her heart was. What was it all for? The boasts about bringing him back to Kyoto. Living on barley and a canteen of water as she hiked through forests. Listening through floorboards and walls for any information. What was it all for, if he's changed into this…this monster?

What was it all for, if what she clung to was only a memory? In that moment, she had wavered, unsure of what to do. Her willpower had been shattered by that empty gaze and Jiiya's blood on his kodachi.

But just as quickly, her despair ignited, into a blaze of righteous anger. He was no longer one of them. The Oniwabanshuu needed a new leader, and she was going to take that position with her own hands.

She's still Okashira, she realizes. It's autumn, and Aoshi is on the porch, in a trance. The Aoiya is busy, serving tourists who journeyed to Kyoto, for the beauty of the vivid foliage. Jiiya would have definitely heard of her declaration, but if he had any objection, he would have said so. He always asks for her input too, and it might just be submission. Everyone else does as well, and the only one who hasn't subtly shown this recognition never stays close to her.

"I've brought tea." She announces. "I'll set it beside you, is that fine?"

He inclines his head in a slight nod. It's all he does. He's home, but only in body. And for her, that isn't enough.

"Aoshi-san. That's right, I'm calling you that now. After all, it wouldn't do to have the Okashira refer to a subordinate as a master. I am the Okashira, by the way, I have been since summer." She's rambling, but she has to, to shock him back into reality.

His voice is low. "So you are."

"You're not going to demand I step down?" Not that she would if he asked, she's only baiting him.

"After what I've done, I don't believe that I'm worthy of that position."

"Oh." It's the answer that she expected, but it's still painful.

He's sliding back into his meditative state. It's painful too, to watch like this; she can't let him slip further away from her. And suddenly, an idea strikes her.

"Then, I have an order for you."

"You do?"

"Yes. And you'll have to obey your Okashira." She manages to say it sternly, despite the growing smile on her face.

"What is it?"

"Come look at the maple leaves with me. I'll buy you lunch too, because that's how generous I am."

He blinks, confused, and she takes her chance. Dragging him off the floor and onto his feet, she grins as she steers him along.