AN: Hello all! First I just want to say thank you so much to all of you who reviewed. I love that you loved it and I hope I can continue to do well, if anything your reviews gave me much confidence =)

Secondly to all you wondering if I'm going to go into the whole Swan Princess story with the monster and everything, I am not. I already said I did not like the story so much and only really liked the part where Derek and Odette grew up together and fell in love, which is what I'm strictly sticking to for this story.

Thirdly I really hope you like this chapter. It is not as exciting as the first, but you get more insight on how the Kaoru and Kenshin feel about each other at the moment. So enjoy and review, I never get tired of hearing from you!

Chapter 2

Four Summers Later

Kaoru – 10 years

Kenshin – 12 years

Megumi – 14 years

Kaoru stared sullenly at herself in the mirror, then preceded to make faces at her freckles, her ears, her nose and scrawny body. All her body parts just seemed to be against her; all of them seemed to awkwardly stick out or be out of proportion. The only thing she could honestly say she liked was her hair. It was glossy and fell like black silk when she opened it up. Most of the time she wore it in a high ponytail that reached to the middle of her back, but even then she still got compliments, even from a few of the court ladies. But even beautiful hair could not save her.

"You know, making faces will only make it worse."

Kaoru turned to her cousin, who was sprawled on her bed with a book. "Look at me Megumi," Kaoru wailed. "This is tragic."

Megumi closed her book with a sigh and came over to her cousin to comfort her. "Stop being silly, it's really not so bad." She wrapped her arms around Kaoru in an affectionate hug. "You're just going through that awkward phase. We all do."

"Even you?" Kaoru asked looking incredulously at Megumi with her long black hair, soft brown eyes and skin like porcelain.

"Yes, you should have seen me when I was your age. I was all arms and legs and falling all over myself, but as soon as I turned thirteen I just blossomed. So just trust me. It'll happen for you too."

Kaoru looked at herself in the mirror again. She was not able to see herself blossoming like Megumi, but she could not get any worse. With a sigh she turned away. "I guess I have to wait and see, but if by thirteen I'm not any better I'm wearing a helmet on my head."

Megumi laughed. "It'll be fine Kaoru. Be patient."

"I'll try," Kaoru laughed, but then she said with a scowl. "All I have to do now is endure the teasing of those two idiots."

"Are those two still bothering you," Megumi said furiously with both fists on her hips. "I understand that big dumb rooster-head being so immature, but Ken-kun is usually so polite and charming."

Kaoru rolled her eyes; Kenshin was polite and charming to everyone but her, so no one ever really believed the terrible tricks he played on her. "And of course Kenshin's nice to Megumi." He always turned on the charm for her, and like every other girl in court, Megumi was no match for those deep, beautiful lavender eyes and winning smile.

"I bet if I was half as beautiful as Megumi or Tomoe, then he'd be nice to me," Kaoru thought bitterly as she looked back at herself in the mirror sadly.

"Well if that tori-atama makes you cry again, tell him I'll personally come down there and clobber him." Megumi swung her fist fiercely as if she could see Sanosuke's spiky head in front of her.

"He'll love that," Kaoru sang playfully. "You know he has a big crush on you."

A small smile played on Megumi's lips for a moment, but then it was gone in a flash. "Disgusting. Like I could ever like a stupid, obnoxious, muscle-bound Neanderthal like him."

Kaoru laughed. "I wish you could come with me Megumi," Kaoru said wistfully. "I need someone on my side. I'm out numbered and it's always me against them."

"I wish I could go to Kao-chan.," Megumi said with a weary sigh. "Stupid studies." She plopped back down on the bed and stuck her tongue out at the book she was reading before. "But you know I promised Mother."

"I know." Kaoru knew how much it meant to Megumi to become a physician, but it was unheard of for a woman and most importantly of all, royalty to become a doctor. Her cousin though was very persuasive, and after a long time of negotiating she had finally made a deal with her mother; if she dedicated four years to learning how to be a ruler, she could study whatever she chose after.

Megumi was in her second year and when the four years were up she planned, with much eagerness, to become an apprentice to the famous Dr. Gensai, the acting physician in Hiten Mitsurugi castle. He was said to be the best doctor even in countries thousands of miles across the ocean.

"So when do you have to leave for Hiten Mitsurugi?" Megumi asked.

At the same moment they both heard King Kouhei angrily calling from outside. "Kaoru this is the last time I'm calling you. You're behaving like a spoilt child. Now un-barricade that door and get down here, you can't keep Kenshin waiting."

Megumi glanced at the bureau blocking Kaoru's door and snickered. "You'll do anything not to go, won't you? I still remember last year when you put those spots on your face with red ink to make it seem you had measles. It might have worked if it hadn't started to rain and the ink began to run."

Kaoru felt too upset to laugh along with her cousin, she had been dreading this day all year. No matter how many times she went to spend the summer with Kenshin, she never thought she would 'grow to love it' like her father said. And she would never in a million billion years love or marry Kenshin. Everyone may think that they were being discrete, but she knew what all the whispering and hints were about, she was not a fool.

The whole idea made her sick just thinking about it. "Married to that conceited, overbearing idiot. It would be a nightmare."

Seeing her cousin's distressed face, Megumi gave her both a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I hate what Uncle Kouhei is doing to you, but I promise it'll be okay."

"You promise a lot," Kaoru mumbled, but she returned the fierce hug. "Bye Megumi."

"Bye Kao-chan. Don't worry I only have two years left and then I'll be there to back you up."

"Kaoru!" came another yell, angrier this time.

"I'm coming," Kaoru cried half-heartedly, and with a heavy sigh she fastened her favourite sapphire necklace around her neck and got up.

"I'll help you move the bureau," Megumi said with a smirk.

Ororororororororo

Kenshin sensed when his mentor entered the dojo, but he did not cease attacking the dummy with his practice sword.

"Kenshin," Aoshi said sternly. "I thought I told you to get ready. Kaoru will be here soon."

The boy frowned darkly and began attacking the dummy harder. "I know, I am getting ready."

The tall man stared at the dummy a little closer and raised an eyebrow. The dummy had ratty yarn hair that was black and pulled in a ponytail. The face was made of a white canvas bag stuffed with sand and painted with very familiar features that were grossly exaggerated. A pair of crossed blue eyes, a goofy grin with teeth missing, a pointy nose that may belong on a witch and some awful red splotches spread all over the cheeks and forehead.

"Very nice Kenshin," Aoshi said sarcastically while he shook his head.

"I'm using a practice sword, Aoshi-sama," Kenshin said defensively and gave the dummy one more whack before turning to face his mentor. "Plus Sano made it for me, and it'd be rude to not accept it."

Aoshi rolled his eyes. "Just make sure your father doesn't see it." The boy nodded impatiently and continued attacking the dummy.

Aoshi watched the boy, observing how much he had grown over the years. The intense training had made him lean and muscular, and even though he seemed destined to be short all his life he had a confidence and a way of carrying himself that made him seem the tallest. Aoshi was proud of his young pupil; he was quickly becoming a man, but unfortunately he still held on to childish habits.

At the moment Kenshin was scowling at the dummy and muttering under his breath as he swung the practice sword. Something about 'stupid girl' and 'if she calls me short one more time…' Aoshi sighed; he could not let this feud between Kenshin and Kaoru continue.

From the minute Kenshin was born Hiko had assigned him as the boy's mentor and as a good and loyal friend of the King he had been honoured and vowed to do his job to the best of his abilities, but after being always at Kenshin's side and watching him grow up, it had become more than that. He had obtained a great fondness for the boy and wanted to see him become the greatest king ever, but this would not come about if Kenshin continued behaving in his usual arrogant and self-absorbed way.

Aoshi absolutely did not agree with the whole arrangement both Hiko and Kouhei had for Kaoru and Kenshin, and understood why the boy resented it so much; Kenshin had the right to choose who he wanted to marry and also not to be bothered with such things until he was ready, but this was how Hiko wanted it and Kenshin should be mature enough by now to accept that.

As long as he had known the boy, he had always been a stubborn one. He hated being controlled, and because Kaoru was indirectly part of this control, Kenshin was taking his hatred out on the poor girl. It was no excuse though; the way he and that idiot Sanosuke tormented Kaoru was appalling. Despite Sanosuke's strong bad influence, Kenshin knew better than that, so Aoshi knew it was time to set the bratty prince straight.

"Kenshin." The boy stopped swinging the sword and turned towards him, he instantly gave an impatient sigh and rolled his amethyst eyes when he saw his mentor's face. Aoshi did not talk a lot, but Kenshin recognized that face and knew he was going to be lectured.

"You are no longer a child anymore, so this sort of behavior…" He gestured toward the dummy." Is not acceptable."

"But…" Kenshin began, but Aoshi silenced him with a hand. "No. There is no excuse for your behaviour. You are a warrior and a prince, and you are disgracing both those titles by sulking like a child and dishonouring yourself by ruthlessly picking on Kaoru, who is both a Lady and a Princess, therefore she deserves you're respect. You're acting like a spoilt child and a bully. Is that how you want your people to see you? Their future King?"

"No Aoshi-sama," Kenshin muttered between his teeth. The young boy's eyes flashed amber as he glared at the walls of the dojo, his hands tightened into fists and his blood red hair made him seem to crackle like a fire. He really had to do something about the boy's temper, but it was something for later, one step at a time.

"Good," Aoshi said with a nod. "Now I expect to see a change in your behaviour towards Kaoru when she gets here." He glared at the boy until he finally looked at him. "Will I be seeing any?"

Kenshin swallowed under that icy gaze and quickly bowed. "Yes Aoshi-sama…I will…try."

"I expect more than trying Kenshin. Now put that hideous thing away and get ready to meet Kaoru." And with one last glare Aoshi pivoted on his heels and headed towards the dojo door.

Just before he left he heard Kenshin say, "I'll try, but if I have to kiss her hand again I think I'm going to be sick." He said it under his breath, clearly not wanting to be heard, but instead of turning back to reprimand the boy, Aoshi left, unable to keep a smile off his face.

Till next time! And remember to review!