a/n: I swear I'm going to finish this story lol enjoy this relatively quick update!

Disclaimer: I don't own RK

Chapter Nine
Third Confrontation

Kaoru had thought that having to deal with Tomoe would be the worst experience of her life. She know thought that she was wrong. She was fairly certain that telling Enishi that the marriage was not going to happen would be the worst experience of her life. The man grated on her and completely unnerved her. She had no idea how she was to break the news to him.

She remembered how displeased he was that she spent time with Kenshin. She remembered how he had tried to ban him from her life. It infuriated her at the time, but now it just filled her with dread. If he had that much hatred for Kenshin, how would Enishi react when he found out that she was calling off the engagement to marry him?

She shuddered, thinking about how tightly he had held onto her as they danced. How he had tried to prevent her from getting away. It all seemed to point to a volatile personality hidden beneath his piercing teal eyes.

She had tried to get out of it, of course, pleading with her mother. But she would have no part of it. It was one point that the queen agreed with Tomoe on. Kaoru should be the one to break the news as she was the one who was responsible for breaking the engagement.

"Kaoru?"

"Yes?" she answered, whirling around. She had been gazing off into space again. It was a bad habit.

"Are you okay?" Kenshin asked. He noticed that she'd been more spacey than usual lately and he thought he knew why.

"Yes," she said, nodding. "I'm just... thinking."

"About Enishi?" He knew this was why she was so lost in her own world. She was trying to figure out how she would deal with him. He wanted so very much to help her, but he didn't know how.

She nodded again. "Yes, I just don't know..." she trailed off, her thoughts overtaking her once more.

Kenshin sighed as he watched her pace back and forth. He would stand by her when she talked to Enishi. He would be there for her. Of that, he was sure.

The queen had agreed to meet with Tomoe again. It was against her better judgment, but she had also known that the woman would not be satisfied after their one joint meeting. So she granted her another, just the two of them. She had no doubt that it would be a quick, if frustrating, meeting. Tomoe didn't know it, but the queen had started doing more research into the northern kingdom. She had sent Misao and Aoshi, knowing that they functioned best as a team. Together, they had talked to people in the kingdom, both the village and inside the palace gates.

Tomoe was not well liked. Nor was her brother. The people were in a state of distress; they couldn't' afford the numerous taxes that she had imposed and most were looking to immigrate elsewhere. In fact, as she had skimmed Aoshi's report the first time, she had wondered what had made her want an alliance with them at all. And then she reprimanded herself. She had wanted Kaoru married off and she had wanted to expand their Kingdom. But she had gone about it the wrong way and with the wrong bordering kingdom.

She was so lost in thought that she started when Yahiko entered to announce Tomoe. She regained her composure and waved a nonchalant hand to indicate that she may be escorted in. She wanted this meeting over and done with.

"Your highness," Tomoe said, slipping into a curtsey. The queen had no doubt that it was just an act of politeness, but she let her do it. It was, after all, respectful. However, she doubted that Tomoe had ever bowed down to anyone with any kind of seriousness. Her daughter would have snorted and pointed out the obviousness of that statement. She shook her head fondly at the thought and indicated that Tomoe could be seated across from her at the table.

"Yukishiro-san, you wished for another meeting. What may I do for you?" Straight to the point.

"I would ask that you reconsider the engagement," she said bluntly. "We've already agreed once that it is mutually beneficial. I'm sure now that your majesty has had some time to think it over, you'll agree with me once more."

The queen held in her laugh at that statement. "I'm afraid that extra time has just allowed me to reflect on the bad judgment that I almost followed through upon," she returned, holding nothing back.

"Bad judgment?" Tomoe repeated in shock.

"Yes. I was rash when I contacted you. I wanted to secure a beneficial marriage for my daughter, but I should have done more research before I did so. I admit that it was my mistake, but I won't be making it twice," she said, with a small nod.

"I cannot believe what I'm hearing!" Tomoe said with a laugh. "Surely, you are joking?"

"No." The word was spoken quietly. Kaoru could have warned Tomoe about the tone the queen had suddenly adopted, but Tomoe seemed oblivious.

"I don't understand," she reiterated. "We were in such accordance, you and I."

"I understand," the queen said. "But I believe we're done here. You are not going to change my mind, Yukishiro-san. You are dismissed."

Tomoe's eyes flashed, but she hid it behind a cold smile. "Of course. I am most disappointed, but it is what it is."

It seemed the queen was not her ally as she had thought. She would have to rely on Enishi and whatever he had planned for the princess. She only hoped it was enough.

She had done it. She'd called on Enishi for their meeting. He had agreed to meet her in the gardens, but he didn't want Kenshin there. She had agreed, but had no intention of keeping up her end of that particular bargain. She didn't trust him not to try something. So Kenshin was going with her. End of story.

She bit her lip and paced the path. He was late. And by he, she meant Enishi. Kenshin was around somewhere, careful to keep himself out of sight. He was firmly hidden in the shadows, which was where he would stay. She couldn't risk Enishi finding out that she'd broken his one condition of the meeting. Now if only he would show up... She hadn't even finished the thought when she caught sight of his stiff posture as he headed towards her. She tensed immediately before forcing herself to relax. This was not a big deal. She could do this.

"Enishi," she greeted with a small curtsey.

"Princess," he returned. "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes," she said, wringing her hands together. "I have something I need to tell you."

Enishi already knew what she was going to say. He'd had several conversations with his sister about how he was going to deal with this new problem that had cropped up. He had finally settled on a plan. A plan that would force everyone right into their waiting hands.

Oh, it would make him the most hated man in the kingdom if the truth were to get out. But it was a risk he was willing to take to get what he and Tomoe wanted so badly. The Kingdom. It would be theirs. With patience.

"Yes?" he prompted.

"The engagement... You see, I'm afraid that it's not... That is to say..." Oh, she was making an utter muck of this entire thing. Everything she had rehearsed didn't sound good enough and every scenario was running together in her brain.

"You're breaking the engagement," he finally said for her.

"I'm so sorry!" she said, biting her lip hard.

He simply nodded. It took her by surprise. She had expected... more. Everything in his character had pointed to a very different reaction. Any reaction, really. Because his face was... carefully blank at the moment.

"I would like to see you one more time. This time without the Battousai present. I think you at least owe me that," he told her, waving towards the shadows.

She had the decency to flush. He was right, of course. That didn't mean she had to like it. She nodded slowly, agreeing with him. She licked her lips. "Yes, I'm sorry... I will arrange to meet with you another day without Kenshin."

A slow smile curled on Enishi's lips. "That's perfect."

Entirely perfect.