A/N: Hello guys! Sorry for not updating earlier. Finals took a lot of time and travelling back home for the break was exhausting. Still, I promised to at least update monthly so here you go. Hope you enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own RK.

Chapter 6: Unintentional clandestine meetings


"A message for you, your majesty."

Kenshin had just called in the servant who had knocked on his door and was relieved to see that he carried a reply from the princess. He had sent the note yesterday morning and hadn't heard anything—he'd been worried he'd overstepped his bounds. He dismissed the servant, who left with a quick bow, and opened the note.

Your Majesty,

We may speak privately after my father's funeral. I am afraid I have no spare time due to all the preparations. I thank you for inquiring after my health. I will notify you with more details after everything is settled tomorrow.

Princess Kaoru

Kenshin couldn't help but feel a little deflated after reading her response. He had hoped to see her before the funeral and have everything situated, but he understood her duty to oversee everything to completion. Still, something else bothered him, something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

"Your majesty, I have returned."

Kenshin, unsurprised at the sudden voice, turned around. "Aoshi," He folded the note and placed it down on the small desk next to him as he turned to his friend. "Please report."

"Everything seems to be going smoothly here, nothing out of the ordinary." Aoshi informed the other man. "The servants love the royal family. There isn't one who could say anything against the princess. Truly, she is admired."

Kenshin nodded, taking in the information. He had asked Aoshi to assess the situation at the palace, if there were any rumors concerning the princess, any whispers of treason or conspiracy. The late King had laid the protection of his daughter in his hands and damn well he was going to do his best to accomplish that. First, he had to know if there was any unrest among the servants of the people who served the royal family. He had seen too many Kingdoms fall to ruin due to civil war.

"What about the nobility?" Kenshin inquired.

Aoshi took a second longer to reply, of which the red-headed monarch was quick to notice was out of place. "There is some unrest among the nobility here, mostly due to her unwed state as well as some ill feelings toward the way her father and she have run the Kingdom."

That didn't sit well with him at all. "I want you to find out who exactly those people are." Kenshin commanded, "And report to me once you have the information. This is a vulnerable time for the princess and someone might want to take advantage of that."

"Of course," Aoshi bowed and turned to leave, but then turned to his king once more. "Your majesty, you also might want to be on your guard tomorrow."

A dangerous golden glint flashed through his violet eyes. "No need to remind me, Aoshi." His hand touched his sheathed sword. "Anyone who crosses me should be the ones warned."


The pale light of dawn filtered through a glass stained window, its warm hues hitting the slumbering princess that lay enclosed in the room. Eyes fluttering, she slowly began to register her surroundings, her mind still full of the odd dreams she'd had during the night. As the sunlight began to increase, she sat up, her hair tousled and realized what day it was.

She let out a sigh as she stared at the ceiling. There was just no avoiding it now, she thought. For a moment, she closed her eyes and pretended that this wasn't her life—that she was someone else, someone who didn't have a care in the world, someone who didn't have to shoulder all the heavy responsibilities she'd have to face that day.

The young raven-haired woman would have stayed that way but eventually, she began to hear something pitter-patter on her window. She opened her eyes to see the sunlight replaced with light rain. Getting up, she wrapped a blanket to ward off the morning cold and walked to her window to watch the rain run down its colorful planes.

At least the weather matched her mood.

Deciding it would be better to face the day instead of trying to hide away, she called for breakfast and pulled out the gown she had chosen to wear for the burial. She fingered the soft, smooth texture of the dress and loved the deep midnight blue color. The dress had been reworked at her request to include somewhere she could conceal her sword. The folds of the dress had been taken in in several places to create the illusion. Usually, weapons were not allowed during the procession, but at least this way she would have it—just in case. Donning her dress and quickly eating the food that had been brought up to her, she decided that a nice run through in her training room would help keep her in the right mindset.

She just wasn't expecting the sight that greeted her.

Keeping herself hidden behind the door that had been left ajar, she peaked through to see a man inside. Her first instinct was to march in and demand who the hell he was and why was he using her training room, but she had to remind herself that she had let the guests here for the funeral free use of the training grounds and halls.

Her second instinct was to stay still. She knew better than anyone to not interrupt a swordsman in the midst of training—not if you wanted to keep your head attached to your body. Instead, she watched. She didn't recognize the style but admired the man as he slipped and fell into form, moving in such a fluid way that he mimicked the riverflow.

It also helped that he was lean and well-toned. She couldn't see his face, but his fiery red hair fell down his back, of which she could see the full expanse of. Kaoru blushed, wondering why the man didn't put on a shirt (but kind of glad he hadn't worn one this time) and had decided that she should probably leave, when the man suddenly turned in her direction, slinging the bokken he'd been using over his shoulder.

"You've been there for quite some time. I don't mind sharing the space."

Kaoru's cheeks flamed in embarrassment as she opened the door to reveal herself. "I'm so sorry. I didn't want to disturb you."

He smiled, and Kaoru felt a strange flutter in her stomach as he did so. She'd been right about one thing—he was very handsome. Bright violet eyes were framed by the red hair she'd seen and his features, while delicate, seemed to carry a strength in them. There was also something else—something familiar about him that she couldn't place.

"No need to apologize, princess Kaoru." His voice was smooth and bright, like his eyes. "I really don't mind sharing the space with you." There seemed be a hint of laughter in his voice, as if he knew something she didn't.

She shook her head, distracted only slightly by his state of undress and wondering why he felt so comfortable just standing there. Did he know who she was? Was he like this with all women, so nonchalant about propriety?

"I have some things to do. Please, sir, enjoy the training hall."

With that, she curtsied and turned away, her cheeks tinged a bit red. She nearly ran from the training hall, but once she had turned the corner she stopped to catch her breath. Who was that man? She felt like she would have remembered a nobleman like him, with his fiery features and strong ki. What's worse, she hadn't even asked for his name.

She decided that it would just have to wait. There was no use to add to her plate when there was so much to be done already. Still, she couldn't shake the familiarity she felt when she'd gotten a good look at him. The question still burned.

Who is he?


Kenshin sighed in dejection as he watched the princess practically run away from him and as a clear realization hit him.

She doesn't recognize me.

He should have seen it coming. They hadn't seen each other since that fateful day in the gardens and she'd been young then. He placed the bokken back into its place and redressed, contemplating as he did so.

He'd been counting on the princess to recognize him—it would have made things easier if she felt comfortable around him. She'd been on edge for the few minutes he'd seen her, but he thought that it might have been because she hadn't expected him there. He flattered himself briefly that it might have had to do with him being shirtless, but he digressed.

She was as beautiful as he had imagined, maybe even more so. Her eyes were as blue as the deepest ocean, her raven hair looked soft enough to touch as it flowed past her shoulders and her delicate skin was like porcelain. The dress she'd worn fit suited her remarkably well and showed off her figure, tantalizing him, but what had captivated him the most was the small smile she'd given him as she had spoken to him.

He sighed as he walked about of the training hall back to his room. One thing was for sure—he would do anything to protect that woman's smile.


The rain was barely drizzling, but the boy in the hooded cloak walked on without paying mind. He usually hated rain, as it brought back memories he would rather forget, but he was on a mission for Lord Shishio and it required him to be focused.

Crossing the border into the Eastern Kingdom had been too easy. He had managed to blend in with a caravan trading goods without too much effort. He laughed to himself. They were playing into their hands.

He glanced down at the piece of paper in his hand. The informants from the palace had given him detailed maps and a rundown of the funeral procession. The two men or the Hiruma brothers as they had called themselves, wanted power. Their family was next in line for the crown should anything happen to the current royal family. They'd given information in exchange for their deaths.

Only, the fools didn't know who exactly they were dealing with. Soujiro laughed. They actually thought that his Lord would give them power to rule. They certainly wouldn't be expecting what they had coming for them, along with the royal family.

As he hitched a ride on a little old lady's cart, his smile never wavered.


A/N: It's the wee hours of the morning, but who cares! Kenshin and Kaoru finally met! I hadn't planned them to meet before the funeral itself, but the scene wrote itself and I think it fits nicely into how the romance part of the plot will play out. For now, I'd love to hear what you thought of their meeting.

Thank you so much for the wonderful people who have reviewed up to this point! It really means a lot to me. I hope everyone had a great time during the holidays and hope you guys get to party it up for new year's!

~Daichi

P.S I have to admit that I thought about Shang from Mulan as I wrote Kenshin. It's (he) a favorite of mine.