A/N: Chapter 10 is here! This chapter will be mainly on Tsubame/Yahiko, and we'll see interaction between Akira, Tomoe and Tsubame. Oh and before you start reading, note that Tsubame stands for the swallow in Japanese. Reference to Tsubame's name will pop up later in this chapter, so just read on. Enjoy reading and don't forget to review! Please make this muse a happy one!

Chapter 10: No turning back

Tsubame sat beside Tomoe, looking at her for assurance as they awaited Akira's arrival at the Central Palace. They had been told by a messenger that it is something serious, causing a whirl of emotions for both mother and daughter. Something so serious that it had to be discussed that very morning.

What can be so important? Has he found out about Kenshin? Tomoe thought worriedly. But if it is, why did Mikado-sama call for Tsubame as well?

Tsubame was not doing so well either; Akira only called upon her when he had gifts for her from foreign envoys; rarely did he ever summon her to talk about serious issues. What does chichi-ue want with me? Did I do anything wrong?

"Mikado-sama arrives!" The guards outside the room announced, as Kana hurriedly pushed the shoji door open to welcome Akira.

Tomoe and Tsubame bowed low in respect as Akira took his place on the tatami floor opposite the two of them.

"Dispense with ceremony."

Tomoe was the first to speak, even though her mouth felt like cotton. "What is the matter you wish to discuss with us, Mikado-sama?"

"It is about Tsubame," Akira answered, much to Tomoe's relief. However, the relief did not last long before concern took its place. What about our daughter? Tomoe wouldn't be able to take it if something bad befell Tsubame.

Tsubame looked up at her father nervously, gripping her furisode in the same way as Tomoe whenever she got nervous.

"Don't worry, my child. It is not bad news, at least to me." Akira smiled gently at Tsubame, who visibly relaxed. "I have received a proposal from the Korean Crown Prince; he wants your hand in marriage."

Marriage? Me? Tsubame sat unmoving as her mind tried hard to process the news Akira has just announced, trying so hard to convince herself that what she heard was not a figment of her imagination.

Tomoe, on the other hand, was pleasantly surprised to hear the news, especially after the overwhelming relief. "When did you receive the news, Mikado-sama?" She asked eagerly, instinctively leaning forward. Turning to a still-shocked Tsubame, she went on, "Isn't that something worth being elated over, my child?"

"I totally agree, my Empress," Akira added, his pride and joy as a father reflected in his tone. "I never thought my beautiful child would have the good fortune to marry the Korean Crown Prince!"

Good fortune? In what way is it good? Why me? What about…onii-sama? What about him? I don't want to marry Korean Prince…I don't even know him! To think I am called Tsubame…I am not even free to choose who I can marry…what more flying in the skies like the swallows? Can't I have a bit of freedom?

"Tsubame? Are you alright, child?" Akira asked when he noticed that the princess did not seem joyous in the least, merely sitting motionless on the tatami floor. That question from Akira got Tomoe's attention on Tsubame; the joyful smile on her usually pale face disappearing.

"Do you not wish to marry the Korean prince, Tsubame?" Tomoe asked gently, holding Tsubame's hands in hers.

Tsubame remained silent, her head bowed low. Akira's eyes met Tomoe's, who nodded at him knowingly.

"My child, I know you must be feeling shocked at how sudden this came. Marriage is never a decision that can be made easily, not to mention that you'll be leaving Japan for a totally different environment if you accept this proposal." Akira said gently but firmly. "I am discussing this with you and your mother because we want you to make the right decision without regrets. Your happiness is our happiness, Tsubame. We'll respect your decision if there's someone else you wish to marry. I'll definitely see to it personally that you marry the man you gave your heart to."

Chichi-ue…you do not understand. The only person I wish to marry is the person I can never marry…You won't be able to do anything about it either.

"Yes, Tsubame. We'll be happy for you no matter what decision it is," Tomoe continued. "As long as you find happiness. Okaa-sama knows that it is frightening for you to marry off to a foreign land, but the Crown Prince can definitely provide you with stability and care. Why would a Crown Prince of a great country send a marriage proposal and betrothal gifts before having met the girl? When he can easily have any girl in his kingdom? This proves his sincerity, my child. If you do leave for Korea, you can start life anew there and see what exists outside the walls of the palace. Even though I will miss you terribly, I cannot deprive you of the happiness you deserve. I dislike the idea of you leaving me for good, but if you're happy, we will be happy. Do think it through, Tsubame."

Okaa-sama is right…I can start anew…without any more worries about this whole life I have had in Japan. I can leave everything I wish to forget…including onii-sama…What's the point of pining for something I can never have? He doesn't have feelings for me…I cannot bear to see him marry some beautiful lady someday…There is now a respectable and great man who desires me…He can give me everything…I don't have to live in sadness anymore. I want to forget onii-sama…I have to forget onii-sama before I lose my mind…I want to forget him…Do I?

With this train of thoughts in her mind, Tsubame did something that surprised everyone, herself included. She didn't even pause to think if she'd regret her decision, so emotionally charged was she that she just suddenly bowed with her forehead touching the floor, saying it loud and clear.

"I wish to marry the Korean Prince. Chichi-ue, please grant me my request."

"Kaoru-hime arrives!" The guards outside the room called out, jolting Megumi back from her books.

Kaoru-hime? Isn't she the bubbly princess from dinner last night?

Going over to her dressing table, Megumi checked her appearance over. She looked terrible; especially since she hardly slept last night, and her eyes puffy from all the crying. Dabbing powder on her face, she tried hard to conceal the telltale signs of her unhappiness in the palace, before taking her place on the tatami floor.

"Megumi-sama?" Kaoru asked politely as Wataru opened the shoji door to let her in. "I hope you remember me from dinner last night?"

"Yes, I do. What brings you here early in the morning, Kaoru-hime?" Megumi asked warily, reminding herself to keep her guard on. There is no telling who's good or who's bad in the palace…

"I brought some ningyoyaki from Asakusa for you to try!" Kaoru replied cheerily, lifting up the beautifully-decorated box she was holding. "And of course, that's not the only reason. I'm here because I have some questions for you."

"Questions? What questions?" Megumi's mind switched to alert-mode, screaming for every nerve in her system to be wary of Kaoru.

"I hope you do not take this to offence, Megumi-sama," Kaoru answered truthfully, kneeling down opposite Megumi. "I have to ask you questions because a very good friend of mine is directly involved. I understand from another friend of mine that the two of you know each other…very well. You do know Sagara Sanosuke…don't you?"

Despite her heart's unwillingness to admit their relationship, Megumi nodded slowly, her eyes still on Kaoru's.

"Megumi-sama, I hope you do not mind me asking this…but…but did you enter the palace willingly with Yumi-sama?" Kaoru continued cautiously, for it was evident from Megumi's body language that she was already very uncomfortable with talking about Sanosuke. "She was the one who brought you in, right?"

Megumi stared silently at the steaming teapot set between the two of them, watching the steam rise and curl up before disappearing into thin air. She sat motionless for some time, while Kaoru shifted around her position nervously and focused on eating the ningyoyaki to alleviate the tension in the air.

"Unwilling," Megumi finally said. "I was deceived, by people I thought I could trust."

It must be Sano. She's blaming him for her predicament, Kaoru thought to herself.

"If I am not wrong, Megumi-sama, you are referring to Sagara Sanosuke?" Kaoru asked slowly.

Megumi nodded reluctantly.

"I want to be honest with you here, Megumi-sama." Kaoru continued seriously. "If I am not wrong, you're blaming Sano for this."

Megumi's silence and her odd fascination with the teapot gave Kaoru the confirmation to her statement.

"He's not such a person, Megumi-sama. I knew him since we were children…He is not one to deceive others."

"How can you be so sure? He is on very good terms with Yumi-sama! God knows how much he got to gain from this!" Megumi retorted abruptly, her indignant tone causing Kaoru to drop the gentle approach and go for a firmer one.

How dare she think of baka-tori in such a way!

"Sanosuke is not one who would resort to such underhand means!"

"How do you expect me to believe any of these? He betrayed my trust even though I thought we knew each other well. How can I trust you?"

"If you believe that Sano would actually plot to harm a defenceless girl like you, you do not understand that man at all!" Kaoru shouted back. "If he really wanted fame and glory, he wouldn't have to stoop to such low methods. He is one of my best friends, and I, the princess, can give him all the fame and glory he wants! There is no need to involve you!"

"Then explain why he was so nice to me! Why he was acting like he cared! I believed he truly cared until the very moment I saw the Northern Harem gates!" Megumi asked agitatedly, her cinnamon eyes glaring at Kaoru, as if waiting for Kaoru to admit defeat.

"Sano was still telling Misao about the lady doctor he wanted us to meet…for a doctor, you sure are not very bright!" Kaoru remarked angrily. This discussion was not turning out the way she planned it, but right now all she wanted was to scold some sense back into Megumi. "He cared for you because he has feelings for you! He fell for you! He is equally distraught over the entire incident…you should have seen how he ran over to the Northern Harem the instant he heard about the new concubine."

Before Megumi could say anything, Kaoru took a deep breath, before standing up and walking to the shoji door.

"I've said my piece. You can doubt my words, but I will never forgive you if you doubt my friend's feelings. Think it through, sensei. Give him a chance to explain."

With that, Kaoru exited the room, leaving Megumi sitting on the floor, her mind filled with thoughts.

Did I really accuse Sanosuke wrongly? If I did, is it too late for amendments?

Was he speaking the truth when he admitted his feelings? If he did, did I hurt him with my words?

But one thing was for sure…I never gave him the chance to explain himself properly.

Needless to say, news of Tsubame's marriage to the Crown Prince of Korea spread like wildfire in the palace, like fodder to a starved gossip monger. The news was accepted by all –almost all-, along with well-wishes and exclamations of joy and envy, for the Korean prince was known for being a great man despite his young age. It was a joy for many to see their lovely, soft-spoken princess find her happiness with a man who can provide her with more than she could ask for.

Tsubame was strolling along the path in the imperial garden, admiring the beautiful azaleas in their glory, pondering over her sudden decision to marry. She knew very well it was done in a moment of folly, but since she has already voiced out her decision, there was no turning back. She is of royal birth, and breaking one's promise was a disgrace to the royal family. Walking along, she came to her favourite place in the entire palace – the Central Palace's pond.

As she took in the surroundings, a nostalgic feeling overcame her, enveloping her with warmth and the memories brought forth from the depths of her heart. It seemed just like yesterday when Yahiko and her played hide-and-seek around the area, sat having tea by the pavilion, and even attempted fishing secretly. Now those times are going to be nothing but mere fragments of her memory, for she was most probably never going to see Yahiko ever again after she boarded the ship bound for Korea. The trees still look the same as they did when they were young, the water as well…but the people will never be the same again…

Onii-sama?

Tsubame's heart skipped a beat when she saw Yahiko sitting at his spot by the pond, throwing rocks into the normally tranquil pond, sending ripples across the surface without giving it a chance to regain its usual tranquillity. She knew that with he most probably noticed her presence, but it saddened her when he made no move to acknowledge it.

Walking over slowly, Tsubame took her usual place beside him. It seemed so normal for them to sit like that, but both of them knew very well that this habit would soon come to an end.

"Onii-sama, konnichiwa!" Tsubame smiled, greeting Yahiko with false cheerfulness.

He did not reply. If anything, he only started to throw rocks into the pond with greater force, scaring the koi fish into hiding underneath the rocks.

"Onii-sama?" Tsubame pressed on, hoping that his coldness was due to him being too engrossed with his thoughts to hear her.

Once again, there was no reply from him.

"Onii-sama…why are you so angry?" Tsubame asked, casting a sideward glance at Yahiko, who by now had stopped throwing rocks into the fish pond.

She turned away from him for a second to shift herself into a more comfortable position on the rock, only to turn back and find a pair of lips pressing against her own.

Tsubame's eyes flew open, and at that very instant, Yahiko pulled away, leaving her sitting stunned on the rock. Her doe eyes were wide with shock, while her cheeks were blushing, making her look more adorable than ever.

"Tsubame, I don't want you to marry that Korean."

"But…But why? What did you do that for?" She asked softly, her fingers touching her lips gingerly. "I have already given my word to Chichi-ue."

"I don't want you to leave me, Tsubame," Yahiko took a deep breath, as if this speech was taking a lot out of him mentally. "I want you to stay by my side forever."

"But…But-"

Suddenly Tsubame found herself enveloped in Yahiko's warm embrace. It was not the type of embrace a woman gets from a man, but a tight, desperate hug that told her more about his feelings than his words ever could. His actions were blatantly screaming for her not to leave him, screaming out her importance to him.

"Don't leave me. Please."

"But…You are my onii-sama…This is wrong…" Tsubame stammered nervously, still held tightly by Yahiko. Why did I have to agree to the proposal? If onii-sama had made his stand clear before this…we would not be caught in this fix…

"I don't care. For as long as I am alive, there is no one who can make you go to Korea. I won't allow it to happen."

With that, both fell silent, the severities of their words falling upon them like bricks. It was a path that they had chosen to walk on, and once they had chosen, there was no turning back.

For a long time, he held her tight.

To be continued…

A/N: Did you guys like this chapter? I sure hopeyou did! If you liked the story, please drop a review! Reviews really spur me on to write more! So please review if you want a faster update:):)

Chapter 11:

And then, by some luck that kami-sama has decided to bless him with, he saw her. Alone.

Sitting on a large rock by the majestic koi pond with her fan folded in her lap. Sanosuke was sure that she had snuck out on her own.

This is my chance…If I miss this, I'll be damned.

Chichi-ue – Father

Tatami – woven straw

Furisode – the long sleeve of the kimono

Okaa-sama – Mother

Ningyoyaki – Doll cookies, a traditional snack of doll-shaped cakes with bean paste filling

Asakusa – A place in Tokyo, famous for the Asakusa Kannon Temple, otherwise known as Sensoji

Sensei – doctor (Kaoru deliberately called Megumi that to express sarcasm)

Konnichiwa – Good afternoon