Disclaimer: The characters of Rurouni Kenshin are not mine. I'm just having some fun with them in this wacko mind of mine.

Authors Notes: I felt there wasn't enough Sano and Kaoru stories out there. I also felt that most Sano and Kaoru stories out there are the same. Continuations of the series where Sano comforts Kaoru and ends up falling in love with her. So here's an alternate universe fic about them. O yea.. Kenshin may not even appear in this fic. Ducking flying objects. That's just a maybe. Just please read and review. Comments and criticism welcome.

Chapter One

"How many times to I have to tell you? I am NOT getting married to that... that.. that Megumi! I don't care what you do to me- I refuse!" And with that Sano stormed out of the room. Or at least tried to-

"Sano." Damn. His father had that way with stopping people in their tracks and making them listen to him just with a single word. Sano stopped. "You WILL marry Megumi in a fortnight. And that. Is that." His father was both stubborn and menacing. But so was he, and Sano was determined not to marry that priss Megumi. Sano braced himself before turning around to face his father a million angry words ready to spill off his tongue.

"Now, Saitou. We did throw this on Sano quite suddenly. Perhaps we needn't be quite so harsh." Thanking God for his wonderful mother, Sano looked hopefully at his father, his anger slowly calming down. Saitou's stone face began to soften at his wife's calm, gentle voice.

"He must learn responsibility Tokio. He is my heir and he will do as I see fit. He WILL obey me. He WILL marry in a fortnight to pass on the family line. We are not young anymore. And we cannot simply wait for a headstrong teenager. His marriage to Megumi is necessary." Saitou remained unmoving.

"Yes dear, but perhaps he should be able to choose his own bride?"

"No. I have approved Megumi. It is for the best."

"But what about our son's happiness Saitou? What if you had listened to your parents and instead of me, marrie-"

"Enough." Saitou shuddered at what Tokio was about to say. "Don't remind me of her Tokio. But perhaps your right. Perhaps arranged marriages aren't the best. Very well son." Saitou turned his stern face back to Sano's, who was watching the exchane between his parents with interest and amusement. His father. Feared by many. Stern and stubborn and menacing and cruel was like putty in his mother's hands. He smirked. "You have a fortnight to choose a bride on your own. On the 14th night, you will bring you bride of choice to us for approval. If, 2 weeks from now- you still have not chosen- you WILL marry Megumi. Agreed?" Sano leaped in the air with a cry of delight.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" He raced out of the room chanting, "NO MEGUMI! NO MEGUMI!"

Once he was gone, Saitou turned back to his wife. "What do you think Tokio?"

Tokio smiled warmly at her husband's worried face. "Don't worry Saitou. He'll grow up to be a great king. Just like you."