Summary: When two warring kingdoms clash, it is up to the heirs, Kenshin and Kaoru to bring peace to a devastated land, but can they set aside their own differences or will the desire to defeat each other spur the war on. KK, AM, SM

Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin and its characters are the creative work of Watsuki Nobuhiro. It does not belong to me in any shape, size, or form.

Rating: T

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Love, Lies and Empire

Chapter 20: Blood Is Thicker than Water

Recap

Shogou smirked. "Are you seriously accusing me of trying to kill you?" He laughed and turned to look at Kanryuu, who shrugged dramatically.

Shogou scoffed, "If I had sent those men after you, they would have done their job and I wouldn't have had to tolerate your presence right now." He suddenly caught sight of the scar on Kenshin's cheek. He stepped up and turned Kenshin's face slightly, so he could see it better. Shogou's eyes grew wide. "Don't blame me just because you're getting sloppy."

Kenshin slapped his hand away from his chin. Shogou smirked, "If it bothers you that much, you should prove it. Prove that I tried to have you killed."

Kenshin shook with impatience. "Shogou…"

"Ssshhhhh." Shogou placed his hand, palm down on Kenshin's head. He placed his other hand on his cheek, patted it. "Go to sleep. You're tired." He stepped away, turned and began to walk away from Kenshin.

"And besides, you're going to need your wits about. A pretty piece like that needs looking after."

End of Recap

He didn't know how long he stood there, watching Shogou walk away. His brother was the last person in the world he wanted as an enemy. Shogou could be as slippery as an eel; it was impossible to understand him. The thought that his palms were sweaty caused him to stop and look down at his hands rather than the actual physical fact. He stared at his clammy palms. His eyebrows furrowed together in bafflement and for a moment, he felt as though the solution was just beyond his reach. He was nervous, truly nervous for the first time in many years. It was a strange sort of bewilderment. In battle, he gave all of himself without thought and without fear. He didn't allow even a vestige of self-doubt to creep into his mind because he knew that he could hold his own against whatever his opponents flung at him.

He could take chances where he was concerned but this….was different. This changed everything. Another person's life was dependent upon the decisions he took but - he shook his head as though to wash away the doubt - it wasn't like the responsibility he had shouldered in the past. In battle, the lives of the men in his charge depended on him, and he fought to the last to ensure that each man in his team was coming home. The decisions he took affected the lives of his people which was why he never compromised; each person under his command had to train to become proficient to a level where he could trust them. If he was hard on his unit, he was harder upon himself; he spent twice the amount of time training, because he had to be that much more prepared, that much fiercer when the time came. Because he was the first and last person they looked to for answers. He couldn't be any less than perfect.

But those situations were completely different from this. This time, a person who had nothing to do with the tussle for power within Kutou's royal family could get drawn into the middle and could be killed, merely to wound him. He clenched his fists. Shogou was his brother and yet, the mere sight of him chilled him to the bone. Beneath the charming and sophisticated veneer, lurked a hatred that ran deep, dark and impenetrable. How many years had it been…since Shogou literally cut all ties to him?

Shogou had been livid….no…beyond livid, when Shishou had chosen him to be crowned Emperor after him. Those had been the two most monumental days of his life. Shishou had announced his name as his heir, and Shogou had struck his name from the scroll bearing the names of the Amakusa line the very next day. He had sent a herald even to the court of Hiko Seijurou XIII, announcing his decision to disown Kenshin. In one fell swoop, Shogou tore his identity away, leaving him bare and orphaned. It was like losing his parents a second time but only worse, since Shogou denied him any right to even their memories.

"You are no brother of mine."

Kenshin shut his eyes. This should have stopped bothering him a long time ago. He had dealt with this already. It was not something he could help. Shogou simply wanted to have nothing to do with him – except bring him harm. Why did he hate him? What would alleviate his hatred? He didn't know why and he had no answers to these questions. Even so, as true as Shogou's hatred for him was today, the time they had shared together as children in Shimabara was equally true. So…what had gone wrong? Why had he abandoned him so cruelly?

Kenshin slowly sifted the possible reasons for Shogou's coldness in his mind – a ritual that he dug up every once in a while, whenever his thoughts drifted towards the family that had once been his. Possibly, Shogou hated him because they were step brothers? Shogou was the first born and the son of Keigo Amakusa's first wife, Cixi whereas his mother had been Keigo Amakusa's second wife, Antal. Kenshin frowned. But if that were the case, Shogou would hate Sayo as well, but he didn't. On the contrary, Shogou doted upon Sayo. He adored her.

This meant that his mother couldn't be the reason why Shogou despised him – it had to be something else. What did that leave him with? What had he done that could have turned Shogou against him so?

He couldn't think of anything. He had just vague memories of his childhood. He didn't remember much about his father except that he was handsome in a fierce way; he had a loud, booming voice and a deep frown on his forehead. He didn't remember if he had loved him or not….but since he was his father, he must've loved him, right? Parents love their children and children love their parents. That's universal. His mother, on the other hand, was easy to remember. She was beautiful, playful, kind and soft. A strange perfume hung about her always and she would pull him into her arms and let him snuggle in her lap.

Sayo had been just a baby, but Shogou and him would spend hours running around the palace, lying in the shade of sakura trees in the meadows, or just sit staring at the water of the river. They had been happy.

And then, one day, his mother died, and Keigo Amakusa's eyes turned cold towards him. He was separated from Shogou and Sayo, wasn't allowed to have his lessons with them; he even had his meals separately. He still didn't understand why. He remembered crying bitterly when he was being sent to the capital. The caravan was attacked on the way and he was saved by Shishou, who took him under his wing. And that was the way it had been, ever since. He didn't see Shogou or Sayo for years. When he met them again, it was at Keigo Amakusa's funeral. He was an Amakusa, a member of the family but he felt like a stranger. He still felt his heart cringe when he thought of that day. He had sought Shogou out and embraced him as soon as he saw him.

Shogou stood still, like a statue. He didn't push him away but he didn't accept him either. He stood as though it was punishing his senses to be next to him and stiffly removed his arms from around him.

"Shogou….what happened?"

"Nothing." His voice was cold, uncaring.

"Where is Sayo? Is she alright?"

"She is fine. So am I. You need not worry yourself about us."

"But, Shogou, we're brothers." He reached out to grasp Shogou's arm. "Of course I'm worried."

"You are no brother of mine." His lips curled in a bitter smile as he disengaged himself from Kenshin and walked past him, accepting the condolences of other people standing about. His words echoed like thunder in his ears and he shrank back, away from the prying eyes watching the obvious rift between brothers with delight. He shrank away from the speculative glances tossed brazenly towards him by everyone present. He returned to the capital that very night and forbade himself to think of Shimabara again.

He buried his memories of his childhood and his brother and sister deep in his mind, never to be stirred back to life. Shogou would come to the capital from time to time, but he never saw him. Shogou's business was always with Shishou; he was not summoned to these meetings and neither did he have any inclination to barge in where he wasn't needed. If Shogou didn't need him, that was fine. He wasn't exactly fading away without him. Shishou had tried to talk to him about it once, telling him that he had a responsibility to his mother to keep in touch with his siblings; but the cracks in their relations were too wide by then, to try and salvage them was useless.

He was alone. And it had ceased to matter anymore. He could not summon the interest to correspond with Shogou or even Sayo. The twinge of guilt he used to feel when he thought of his sister had also faded with time. He wished her well but was no longer interested in knowing her.

However, it seemed that things were about to change now. Shogou's arrogant challenge had given him much to think about. A man only adopted that attitude when he knew he had nothing to fear – either he was innocent or he was pulling all the strings. Nobody apart from Aoshi, Beshimi, Kaoru was present during the attack in the forest. Beshimi and Aoshi would die before telling anyone about it, Kaoru simply didn't have the means to tell anyone, and he had told Shishou vaguely about the attack in his letter. Shogou would know about the attack only if he had ordered it or intercepted his message to Shishou, which only served to deepen the suspicion against him.

Kenshin took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. It was obvious that whatever game Shogou was playing, he was planning to involve Kaoru in it. He had to be or he would not have mentioned her. Kenshin frowned. He knew what he had to do and where he had to take Kaoru – it was just a matter of persuasion. There was perhaps just one residence in Yantai where Shogou would feel nervous entering and that's where he had to get Kaoru into.

Kenshin turned on his heel and began to walk back towards the celebratory dais constructed on the terrace when he heard hurried footsteps and the sound of someone swearing. He stilled for a moment and turned to find Aoshi walking briskly towards him. His face was taut and he held his shoulders stiff. Kenshin frowned. What now?

Aoshi didn't mince any words. "Where have you been? Half the palace is asking for you and Hiko wants to see you immediately."

Kenshin bit the inside of his cheek to keep from swearing irritably. He arched an eyebrow with effort, carefully fabricating the appearance of amusement. "Does he now?"

"Yes." Aoshi replied curtly. He turned and began to walk back in the direction whence he had come. He didn't bother to check if Kenshin was following. Kenshin dragged his feet after him, muttering sullenly. He thrashed about for excuses in his head silently even as he stared at the back of Aoshi's shoes as he led the way.

Kenshin scowled. He had no time for this. He had to arrange to move Kaoru to a safer place. Until he had her safely hidden where no one would even dream of looking for her, he couldn't see anyone, not even Shishou. He knew that Shishou would not do anything as drastic as kill her if he found her but he wouldn't put it past him to imprison her and refuse to let him even see her, just to teach him a lesson. No, seeing Hiko would have to wait. He wondered if he should tell Aoshi about his conversation with Shogou. Perhaps he could find something out.

"Aoshi?"

"Hmm."

"I need to know what sort of company Shogou is keeping these days."

If Kenshin hadn't known his cousin inside out, he probably would have missed the miniscule change in pace, the ever-so-slight widening of the eyes and continued to walk ahead as though nothing had happened. But Kenshin noticed and tucked that bit of information safely away in his mind. It reassured him. He was obviously not the only one who thought Shogou was up to something.

Not waiting for a reaction, Kenshin stopped. Aoshi walked ahead a few paces before realizing he wasn't being followed; he slowly turned to look at him. Aoshi narrowed his eyes. "What are you up to?"

Kenshin smiled disarmingly, "I'm sure you'll pass on my regards to Shishou Aoshi."

"Wait a minute. Why will I pass on your regards? Where are you going?"

"Where I should have gone as soon as we reached Kutou."

"You're not making any sense."

"I don't intend to."

"Kenshin…."

"There's nothing I like more than standing in the corridor talking to you Aoshi, but there is some place I have to be." He turned on his heel and began to walk away. Aoshi stared after him.

"What am I supposed to tell Hiko?" He asked irritably. Kenshin turned to face him, shrugged and disappeared round a bend. Aoshi rolled his eyes. "Typical." The muscles around his jaw were taut and his mind raced over the limited excuses he could give to Hiko that wouldn't land him in any more trouble than he was already.

Suddenly, the path that led to Hiko's chambers seemed very short and the carved wooden door of the Emperor's private council room seemed to appear in front of his face out of nowhere. Aoshi ignored the ceremonial guards standing at the sides and silently stood at the door, quickly rearranging his story. Since he was no longer privy to Kenshin's plan, it was safe to dump the responsibility for this tardy appearance onto his cousin's head. Aoshi allowed himself a satisfied smile. After all, he wasn't the one trying to hide.

Aoshi took a deep breath and pushed the doors open. Hiko Seijurou the Thirteenth, the Emperor of Kutou sat at the window seat overlooking the gardens, watching the play of lights floating languidly in little paper boats on the pond. Beside him there was a big bottle of sake and in front of him, one of the most beautiful women of the empire, a woman who had begun her career as an Oniwabanshu ninja but had given up her place in the group to earn the right to be here; sitting beside the greatest emperor Kutou had ever known. She turned her eyes towards him now, and smiled. She kept her own sake cup aside, and rose elegantly to receive him.

"Lord Aoshi, how wonderful to see you again." Her voice was husky and her smile infectious. Each time he met her, he wondered how someone as playful and endearing as her had fallen for Hiko. Okon was like a child in love – she loved Hiko madly, desperately and fearlessly. She had no fear of her love for him – she didn't care what the court thought, she loved him as though it was her right, as though it was what she had been born to do. There was no artifice, no duplicity in anything she did. She was like an open book and perhaps, this openness, this uninhibited, unabashed honesty had forced Hiko himself to recognise, and return her feelings. She was, in Aoshi's estimation, remarkable.

"Greetings, my liege." He kneeled, and held his sword out in a show of fealty, then bowed to Hiko, who ignored him. As he straightened, he glanced at Okon.

Okon's lips curved into a mischievous smile. "The emperor has decided not to speak to you, my lord," she whispered conspiratorially, loud enough for the emperor to hear. Her eyes sparkled as she glanced towards Hiko and met his questioning gaze directly. He raised an eyebrow as though he wanted to ask her what she meant by telling Aoshi about his mood. Her smile deepened and she nodded towards Aoshi encouragingly.

"But, you should not hesitate," she made her way to the door, "it doesn't become you."

"Where are you going Okon?" Hiko asked tautly. Okon stopped and turned to face him. She smiled.

"I've forgotten something I wanted to show you, I'll be back in a minute," she answered innocently. Smiling reassuringly at Aoshi, she slipped away from the room and left him to stare at Hiko's sullen countenance. Aoshi drew a deep breath. This would not end pleasantly.

After what seemed like an hour, Hiko finally tore his eyes away from the scene outside the window and focussed upon Aoshi, who tried hard to look as though everything was exactly as it should have been and he had nothing to be nervous about.

Hiko silently refilled his sake cup and brought it to his lips. As he took a sip from the cup, Aoshi shifted his weight from his right foot to his left. Resting the cup on the floor, Hiko let out a satisfied sigh.

"That" he pointed to the sake jug, "is some of the finest sake in the world. This morning, when I woke, I asked for it to be brought out since I was happy that my bakadeshi had returned and for once, he hadn't done anything stupid – or so I thought." Hiko fixed Aoshi with a pointed glare. Aoshi betrayed no emotion on his face.

Hiko continued, "My good humour lasted for two hours, after which I discovered that not only had that idiot been stupid, he had surpassed all previous instances of stupidity and you," Hiko's voice inflected alarmingly, "helped him every step of the way. Not only did you encourage this idiocy but you created opportunities to compound it."

Aoshi swallowed and prayed that Hiko would not notice how he stepped a tiny, miniscule step back towards the door.

"So, not only has my happiness been ruined, this sake has been relegated the unfortunate task of trying to salvage what is left of my contentment. A grave insult, indeed." He turned, his huge frame created a wall that blocked the wind from the room.

His shadow fell across Aoshi's face. "Start talking. I hope, for your sake, that you have a good story to tell me."

Aoshi bent his head, took a deep breath and was about to launch into recalling everything that had happened since they rode out of Kansan when Hiko held his hand up and stopped him.

"Wait," Hiko looked around the room, "Why are you alone, and where is the idiot I sent you to find?"

This is it. Aoshi schooled his features as close to conscientious sincerity as he could and replied, "I told him you wanted to see him the minute I set eyes on him." He feigned a confusion he obviously did not feel. "Did…didn't he come here?"

Hiko rolled his eyes. "If this is the way you keep an eye on him, a bleak future is all I can foresee for this dynasty." He frowned, all traces of mirth disappearing from his eyes. "And what's this I hear about a woman accompanying him back from Konan?"

Aoshi opened his mouth to speak several times but none of his words seemed capable of conveying the emotion he seen for Kaoru in Kenshin's eyes. He remained silent.

"Don't test my patience boy, say something! What is this talk of a woman travelling with him?"

"She's not just any woman. She's Shishio Makoto's daughter."

"She's WHAT?" Anger drowned out the incredulity in Hiko's voice. Aoshi nodded slowly, wondering if he could just escape now and come back later.

"She's Shishio Makoto's daughter."

"I heard you." Hiko rasped. "What is she doing with Kenshin?"

"She's not doing anything with him. He insisted on bringing her back here. She doesn't even want to be here."

"You know how I feel about this. You should have killed her when you had the chance."

Aoshi felt the weight of his words fall like lead in his mind as he dredged together the control to acquiesce. "I know."

"Then why didn't you? How could you allow him to bring her back here?" Hiko turned to the window once more.

"I had no choice. It was either agree with him or fight him. If I had persisted in killing Kaoru then, you would be welcoming your heir and the dead body of your nephew together."

Hiko's hand paused for a heartbeat as he raised a sake cup to his lips. His eyes searched him piercingly and his lip curled. "I was not aware that you were so scared of death."

"I am not scared of death!" Aoshi replied indignantly. "But if I am to fight Kenshin and lose my life in the process, I refuse to do it because of a woman I hardly know."

"You just called her by her name, didn't you? I'd say you know her well enough."

"That's not what I meant."

"No? Kindly explain then, I am unusually indulgent today."

"She saved Kenshin's life."

There was a twitch above Hiko's eyebrow. And a second one at his mouth. Aoshi waited. Hiko said nothing more, merely lifted an eyebrow casually. There was no surprise or curiosity on his face, only a callow disinterest, as though he really didn't care what had happened and why but simply wanted to know how they had dared to defy him.

"There was an attack," Aoshi began in resignation; by now he had understood that Kaoru's fate hung precariously at the mercy of Hiko's mercurial temper. It was just as he had feared and he could nothing about it. "Five assassins infiltrated our unit and ambushed us as we searched for two of Konan's missing commanders. The fight was going badly for us, but Kenshin managed to turn it around but…he didn't notice the last one creeping up on him until it was too late." He stopped to look at Hiko.

Hiko nodded and gestured to continue. Aoshi began once more, "That's when Kaoru burst in and shot the assassin with an arrow."

A languorous smile spread across Hiko's lips. "How very interesting."

"Of course, we didn't know who she was then. We didn't even know that she was a woman – she was disguised as a monk. When we found out….."

"You decided to bring her here."

"Kenshin decided to bring her here."

"And you let him."

"I had no other option. Kenshin is…he is in love with her and he will do anything to protect her."

"Don't talk such drivel and expect me to swallow it up!" Hiko bellowed in anger. Aoshi felt his eyes grow wide and clenched his fists to steady himself. "In love indeed! I've never heard such nonsense in my life. Why do you think I sent you along with him? Just to prevent any such idiocy and you turn around and tell me that he is in love!"

Hiko looked away in disgust. "If he has no more sense than to fall for the first pretty face he sees in enemy country, it's not my concern. But I am damned if I allow this to continue."

Hiko dropped the sake cup unceremoniously upon the floor and raised the jug to his lips to drink. As the sake soothed his throat and his temper, he turned a baleful eye towards Aoshi. "There is a reason laws are made. They are not made to be broken by the very people who should be upholding them. We do not allow survivors from the royal house because when they survive they get ideas – ideas about freedom, and liberty and coming together and fighting, of rebellion and uprisings. This girl is going to be no different. That is why she needs to be killed."

"Kenshin won't hear of it." Aoshi shook his head.

"I don't recall asking Kenshin to do anything about it. It should never have come to this. You should have handled it well before it turned into a matter worth questioning me for." He stared at the floor. "Kill her and get it over with. I don't want to hear of this anymore."

Aoshi froze. He heard the swoosh of his blood in his ears. The frigid fingers of the wind wrapped around his neck and squeezed. He bent his head.

Hiko glanced at him dismissively. "Still here? "

Aoshi bit the inside of his cheek. "Kenshin will never forgive me if I hurt her."

Hiko leaned back. "He'll get over it. There're plenty of women for him. He won't die if he doesn't have this one."

X0X0X0X0

Omasu glanced about nervously. The prince's message had been short and hurried but she'd still asked the messenger to repeat it twice before she could wrap her mind around it. Incredible. She couldn't believe she was standing here – outside this palace. It was a veritable fortress within a fortress. How was she expected to get inside? If any of the Oniwabanshu saw her now, it would be all over. She shivered and leaned against the carriage in which she'd bundled a flustered and confused Kaoru and brought her here. She craned her neck once more; the prince had said he would reach only a few minutes after but there was no trace of him.

The night air nipped at her ears and sent shivers down her spine. The shadows cast by the perimeter walls of the palace shrouded her and the carriage in darkness; no one could tell she was there unless she let herself be seen.

Suddenly, the sound of a galloping horse brought her attention back to the road. A huge black stallion reared ten paces away. The rider held the reins tightly in his left hand and patted the neck of the horse with his right. Softly whispering soothing words in the great horses's ear, he slipped off and secured the reins to a lamp post. The night watchman and the guards at the gates of the palace watched curiously as the rider walked across the road and straight towards a dark patch of shadow.

Omasu gave a cry of surprise as he drew near. "Your Highness! May the dragons preserve you! I was so worried."

Kenshin smiled ruefully. "I'm sorry for alarming you Omasu, but it was necessary. Is Kaoru alright?"

"She's a little confused but she's alright."

Kenshin nodded. "Good. Alright, Omasu we are going in."

Omasu's eyes grew as wide as saucers. "Going in…in here? Are you sure, Your Highness?"

"Don't be silly Omasu. Of course I'm sure. Now, follow my lead. And don't say anything. You are not to speak, understood?"

"I don't think I would be able to speak."

"Wonderful."

He walked back to his horse, mounted and waited for Omasu to follow with the carriage. He rode up to the gates. The guards jumped in attendance and swung the massive gates open. The carriage and horse passed through and the gates were shut once more. The drive led past twelve huge water fountains with stone dragons. Kenshin drew the horse carefully at the foot of the palace and jumped off. He tossed the reins to a servant waiting for them, and called out to another, "That carriage is mine. It is not to be disturbed."

He ran up the stairs without waiting for an answer. The stairs led into a curving hallway laid with pristine white marble, and papered with white silk on the walls. Intricate drawings decorated the ceilings. Kenshin looked at everything with a fondness gleaned from happy memories created in this very place. As he walked, he ran his fingers over the walls, remembering.

A servant caught sight of him and immediately scurried away to inform the mistress of the palace that her favourite had arrived.

Kenshin smiled as a familiar wooden door rose in front of him. He glanced briefly at the two girls standing on either side of the door, beaming at him. They held the door open and giggled as he walked past. Inside the room, crystal lamps illuminated a large oval room lined with books and scrolls. A lady-in-waiting sat on a mattress surrounded with kimonos, another sat at a writing table, scribbling away busily. At least five lapdogs lounged about on satin cushions thrown here and there. A tall mirror was set in the middle of the room. Watching her reflection in it, stood an elegant lady, impeccably dressed in a black and silver kimono, her silver hair elaborately arranged with combs. The imperious tilt of her lips did full justice to her title.

The Dowager Empress of Kutou turned as the reflection of her favourite grandson appeared next to her in her mirror. Her eyes lit up as he drew near.

"Kenshin!" She held her hands out to him. "My child!"

Kenshin grinned and clasped her hands warmly. The wrinkles of her skin were as familiar as the glint in her eyes and he wondered, not for the first time, how unfortunate it was that neither of her sons inherited her zest and her joyful nature.

"No! Go away!" She suddenly flicked her hands away from him. "You care nothing for me. I won't hear any excuses." Kenshin looked confused.

"Grandma, what are you…"

"You never bother to come see me before you ride off for battle! It's as though I don't exist."

"Grandma, that's not true. I only didn't come to see you this time, and that's just because Shishou wanted me gone as soon as possible. You know that."

The Dowager Empress settled on an armchair and watched him closely. Seconds later, she seemed to relent. "I can never understand why he must send you and not anybody else. Heavens know they could use the experience."

"Perhaps that's why."

She inclined her head. "Perhaps." She straightened and beckoned him forward. "Come here." Kenshin sat down at her feet and looked up at her. Her eyes seemed like liquid pools of green and grey, framed by skin that was translucent and dotted with faint spots.

She frowned as she caught sight of the scar on his cheek. Clasping his chin softly, she turned his face to look at it, not missing the tightness in his jaw as she did so. "Kenshin….who….did this?"

Kenshin turned towards the mirror, watching his reflection carefully. The scar had turned a dull shade of brown. "It doesn't matter anymore." The troubled look in his grandmother's eyes cut like a knife in his chest. He turned to her and smiled. "Don't worry about it. I fancy it actually. It gives me a more dangerous air."

The Dowager Empress smiled. "As though you need it. I have been hearing the most shocking things about you, young man. It doesn't please me."

"What shocking things?"

"All these girls Kenshin. How can you be involved with so many at once?"

Kenshin snorted. "That's what I'd like to know. Grandma, if even half of it were true, I would be spending twenty five hours a day in bed. It would become downright boring."

The Dowager Empress laughed. "Very true. Now, tell me, what is troubling you?"

"I can't just come to see you because I missed you?"

"You can, but not on the day you return a hero. Whatever it is, is keeping you from celebrations…. of all kinds." She added dryly. Kenshin laughed softly.

He leaned against her knees, just like he had so many times before when he was a child. "I need your help Grandma."

She smiled indulgently. "Anything child, you only have to ask."

Kenshin drew a deep breath. "I need you to give sanctuary to someone whose life depends on it."

"Sanctuary….I don't understand."

"Grandma," he turned and looked at her earnestly, "there is someone I'd like you to meet."

She looked at him suspiciously. "Who?"

"Her name is Kaoru Makoto…..Princess Kaoru Makoto."

The Dowager Empress narrowed her eyes. The name seemed oddly familiar, like she'd heard it somewhere before, as though she knew it. She closed her eyes trying to remember it when one of her ladies-in-waiting gasped. She opened her eyes and turned towards her. "What is it, Masaki?"

"Your Majesty! That name….she's the enemy princess, Konan's princess!"

"What?", she turned to Kenshin, "Kenshin, is this true?"

"Yes."

"Kenshin." She spoke sternly. "You know the laws. How can I provide sanctuary to an enemy, someone who is wanted by the law?

Kenshin stood abruptly. "And why not? Grandma, she has nowhere to go."

"Well, I'm terribly sorry about that but….."

"Grandma, you are the only person who can stand up to Shishou regarding this problem, please don't give up like this."

"Kenshin, Hiko is well within his rights…."

"To kill her? Do you really believe that?"

"It is unfortunate but…"

"Alright, just meet her once, and I promise you won't be able to let her go."

"Kenshin…"

"Please….for me?"

"Kenshin…..you're not….you don't have feelings for her, do you?" She asked quietly. The room fell silent.

Kenshin sighed. "I do. I am helplessly in love with her and she will have nothing to do with me. Even now, she doesn't know how dangerous it is for her to be here but here she is, because she wants to take care of the prisoners from Konan who were brought here forcibly." He looked up at the ceiling.

"She saved my life, Grandma, and she didn't even know me then. She is the kindest, gentlest, and most fearless woman I have ever met and she absolutely hates me. And it's alright. I don't care if she hates me….I just want her to be safe. And this is the only place in Yantai where Shishou will never send an assassin." He stopped. "Please….please let her stay with you."

Nobody spoke.

One of the ladies-in-waiting coughed delicately and looked at the Dowager Empress. "Your Majesty? What should we do?"

The Dowager Empress didn't take her eyes off Kenshin. Finally, she inclined her head. "Send for her." Looking at her grandson once more she spoke, "I am curious. What sort of girl could melt that icicle you keep in your chest?" She smiled. "I think I am going to be quite amused."

X0X0X0X0

Author's Note

Hi lovely people!

Hope you all had a fantastic time over the holidays. I know this time's update is not the usual length. It's barely 6 thousand words and that's peanuts compared to what I'm used to writing but there's a reason. In the past two or three chapters, I have a lot going on in one huge chapter so now I'm going to be posting shorter chapters more frequently, instead of one chapter in two months. I hope the new arrangement is as fun for you as it is for me. Because I want you all to enjoy the story as much as I am and I believe that a lot of that enjoyment gets marred because of the delays in posting updates.

Here's to more frequent updates! Yay!

Hope you all enjoy this chapter. Please read and review.

Loves

krystalMage