Disclaimer: I only own what is mine. My OCs and ideas.

A/N: I have finished pre-writing this story! So I have to just edit all the rest of the chapters…. I don't want to… anyway… I have been enjoying writing this story and I have already begun Lights (the sequel)! My friend has read the rest of the story and she loves it. And I enjoy it too. The next chapter is the big event! Danny's coronation! I had some fun with that and some magic… *evil author smile*! But anyway… trying to update two stories today so I should keep this short and move on to the next. Read! Review! Enjoy!

Reviews:

ArtemisBAMF1218- Don't worry about the waiting thing. No big deal. I always seem to put off writing because I am just like "Oh they haven't review yet… I should give them a chance." And that becomes my excuse to be lazy sometimes… Aiko really does care for Danny and I have my fun with that. You point out something about Ryu that I like. She has all these normal qualities for her age. She is a pain in the rear and it is known. And it will make her harder to adjust to.
Danny is ready. And so am I. I want to post the coronation scene. But it has to be edited first and… ugg… I don't want to… you are right about him almost being foreign to Earth! So sad! Aiko is mostly anger at the comment… but there are always inner hidden motives… my evil side comes out during that scene about the horror and protests. Making Danny a nervous wreck is kind of hard… I have tried my best.
I am glad you like the sweet moments between them… I have one more (a big one) planned. Best the rest of this story doesn't have that many of them… since you love the countdown. This story is officially 38 chapters and an epilogue. Enjoy!

TheRandGirl- Ryu has been fun to write. But at the same time difficult to keep her in this certain mindset. She's on edge more than Danny because of how likely it is something can and will go wrong. I would have also fought Ryu if I were Danny. More Aiko and Danny to come… blushing? Not quite yet. But don't worry, just keep reading, fluff is sure to come. Enjoy!

Chapter 36

Aiko walked quietly down the hallway of the Palace. Today was Danny's coordination day. Her throat was tight with her own worry. And extra worry for Danny's sake. The ceremony would be at the next bell, which was not too far away. Right now, Danny was meditating.

He was supposed to be alone, sitting in the throne room. But it was legal for Aiko to come in. And not just Aiko, anyone who wanted to come in and see him while he was observing humility through meditation.

Danny was being watched by guards, he was not allowed to speak or move as people came in. No matter what happened, Danny had to take it. This was the ultimate test of humility that he had to suffer through the entire morning. He had to endure everything and not move too much, he couldn't retaliate at anything. Or adjust himself to be more comfortable. He had to suffer until it was over.

Aiko looked him over as she stood behind him for a moment. His posture was very stiff and he was sitting upright.

When the next bell of the day rang, he would be allowed to leave his post of silence and prepare for the ceremony.

Aiko walked in slowly. The guards were easy to spot, they were to keep an eye on Danny and make sure no one tried to kill him while he sat in silence. The point was for their presence to be known, to be intimidating. And all keep anyone from giving Danny any overly serious injuries

Aiko looked at each of them, wonder if they had taken their turn to have a crack at Danny, or if they were even allowed to. Or what their personal opinions on the king were.

Danny was shirtless and it was clear he had been injured. His back had a long open cut across it, it was not, however, too deep. The bleeding had mostly stopped.

Aiko's stomach turned. She knew that Hiroshi had planned to come in earlier and sit with Danny. Hiroshi was a well-known warrior in the main city, and he was a bigger person and intimidating. That had been planned to give Danny a little extra protection. Although Hiroshi could do nothing to help.

Aiko could not help but wonder if Danny had received the large scar on his back while Hiroshi was here, or if the coward who had done it waited it out.

Aiko walked up to Danny and sat down next to him on the left. The pre-arranged code for everything was working on her end as far as preparing Ryu.

She crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap, she looked innocent enough as she looked Danny over. She knew that he felt her presence.

Aiko waited. She took in a deep breath and let it out her nose.

Danny's fingers twitched, his left hand moved so it looked simply like a twitch, the insanely clever code that had been created.

Aiko let another deep breath out her mouth and straightened up. Everything was working perfectly.

Aiko looked at the throne. It was beautiful. She could only imagine the empty room once Danny took over as King. All the business and other things that would happen here.

"If you are still stressed about all this," Aiko spoke naturally but quietly. The guards could hear her clearly. But she was allowed to speak. "Don't be. Everything will be fine. You'll make a great King. Anyway, Namasté Danny."

Aiko stood up. The room was uncomfortable. She had not even been there that long, but she was starting to feel something strange. It felt like magic… and it was enough to make her want to leave. She wondered briefly if this is something that Hiroshi had also felt.

She placed a hand on his shoulder. It was his left one. The one that had been ripped out of its socket. She could see the scar from the surgery, it didn't look to be completely healed but Danny had been going on acting as if it didn't hurt. "My soul honors your soul."

She could not see it but Danny smirked slightly.

She walked out and started to walk away swiftly. Her heart was racing. Danny felt different, being close to him- but he felt so far away.

Aiko walked down the tall steps of the palace and when she reached the bottom she looked up. There was a chill in the wind. The weather was reacting with the built-up tension that surrounded Danny.

Aiko had already seen the protests that were in the streets. She kept quite as to not draw attention to herself. But her blood boiled.

Aiko walked back into her house. "I delivered the message. He got it."

Ryu was sitting on the couch. "Hey, what is with the smoke action I saw going on outside?"

Aiko froze. "Smoke?" She asked.

"Unless clouds are black." Ryu shrugged.

Aiko walked over to the window and saw the black cloud Ryu was talking about. Sure enough, there must have been a fire in the streets. Angry mobs. Had to be them.

"Nothing Ryu." Aiko sighed.

"Really?" Ryu asked. "Like I'm dumb enough for that."

"Angry mobs, Ryu," Davos said from where he sat the table reading. "You know people don't want your brother on the throne."

Ryu mumbled under her breath.

"Nervous?" Aiko asked the blue skinned Dragon Lord. She settled herself on the couch opposite to Ryu.

"No." Ryu lies, her face turned a darker blue.

"You are lying." Aiko smiled. "You are just like your brother."

Ryu grumbled and her body shrunk down as she turned into a small dragon. Not bigger than a small dog.

She flapped her wings until she was airborne and flew over to Aiko. The small dragon dropped into her lap and curled up her tail wrapped around her body and her head tucked under the tail.

Aiko smiled as she slowly started to rub Ryu's back. Ryu let out a happy groan of some sort and relaxed. After a while she was asleep.

It was quiet for a while. Aiko watched her brother as he was reading.

"Hey, Davos? Can I ask you something?" Aiko asked quietly, she kept rhythmically stroking Ryu to keep the tiny dragon asleep in her lap.

"What about?" Davos asked not bothering to look up.

"About… er… I guess about Ryu." Aiko tripped over her word.

"Is it about Wendell too?" Davos asked. His voice was unreadable.

"Yes. So you know?" Aiko asked she had regrets about bring up the subject.

"How would I not know? It's not hard to figure out. They have similar personality traits, and Ryu has tried to fight me this past week, the styles are identical as far as I recall. And she calls Danny her 'brother'. Hate to speak ill or the dead, but I saw his mother's dead body. She wasn't the connection for the two. Danny didn't have any extended family come with him on this trip, I don't know if he has any at all. So that leaves just his father. And Wendell had enough magic in his body to make it work." Davos looked up and turned to face his younger sister. "I mean honestly, Aiko, It wasn't hard for me to figure out."

"Right." Aiko sighed. "That came up the other day and she snapped at everyone. She's a time bomb. In her current state."

The bells started to ring out over the city. Aiko looked up at the ceiling. "Not much long now, is it?" She asked softly.

"It's not. The amount of preparation that has gone into this is amazing. Plenty of guards to keep everything in order. Dad knows there will be someone there with plans to make a mess. It's mortal nature. It's predictable." Davos said disgustedly.

"But we can't focus on that. Ryu is the main thing we have to worry about. You are in on the plan right?" Aiko asked seriously.

"Of course. Blue explained it to me already." Davos said easily. "Using my disposition to keep people away. While hanging back and letting her use any and all available shadows to her advantage of staying undetected."

"Do you only call her blue to make her angry?" Aiko asked slowly.

"No, it suits her," Davos replied.

"Do I look ok?" Ryu asked as Aiko helped her get into her dress.

"It's beautiful Ryu, don't worry about it. Or anything for that matter." Aiko smiled. "Davos will keep you company."

"Oh, joy." Ryu rolled her eyes.

"I talked to Davos about this while you were sleep, but I have a question…" Aiko trailed off.

"I have traces of him in my mind. The smallest things. Like I knew his name just by looking at him. Same with your parents."

"Cool." Aiko smiled. "You don't have to talk about it, I know it just makes you upset."

"Thanks." Ryu sighed. She jumped down from the stool and flexed her wings a little. "So can you go over the plan again?"

"'Sure." Aiko took in a breath. "You'll be staying in the shadows. Davos is on security but no one will bother him, because well… it's Davos. And If someone does, he pulls the rank card or special orders from the Thunderer card. Danny has to make a small speech kind of thing before dinner. That's when he plans to introduce you. You'll be in a corner with a good view of him, and he'll know where you are."

"Right." Ryu sighed. "And I get to stay here and watch the ceremony using magic while everyone else gets to be at the ceremony."

"That's the plan, but to be safe you'll be hidden in the house. Luckily you are not the jumpy or nervous type." Aiko smiled.

"Please, I am the think that makes noise in the night. Sadly, Danny is too heavy a sleeper for me to have any fun." Ryu smiled.

"Are you ready for this?" Aiko asked.

"No," Ryu grumbled. "But I don't want to have to hide any longer. So do you think it would be a bad idea to use my powers tonight?"

"Defiantly." Aiko gave a sharp nod.

"But what about… like… to just play with them… or show off… or just nonaggressive?" Ryu asked.

"I didn't know that was possible," Davos said walking in. Aiko smiled at him gently. She felt the corners of her mouth turn upward.

He was trying to button up his shirt, which was easier said than done. Mostly due to the fact he only had one hand.

"Here. Let me help." Aiko said walking over and fixing the shirt and straightening it out.

"I'm not helpless, Aiko," Davos argued instantly.

"I know." Aiko smiled. "But I want to help you." Aiko finished the top button on the shirt. "I am allowed to help you because I care about you." She said finally.

"Aww!" Ryu smiled. "So cute."

"Shut it, Blue." Davos snapped.

Ryu stuck out his lip and then help out a hand.

Aiko watched her waiting for something to happen

Behind her, she heard a thud.

She turned to see Davos on the floor on his back.

"Ryu." Aiko corrected. "Behave yourself."

Ryu sighed. "It's going to be a long afternoon."

"Is everything in order?" Master Kung asked as he walked alongside the rest of his family as they were headed to the palace for the more formal ceremonies.

The formal one was where Danny truly became King. There were what felt like millions of ceremonies that Danny was going to have to go through. But he had gone through most of them.

Aiko couldn't help but wonder how he was doing. He was confident when she last saw him, but now? Was he still holding himself high, or was the pressure getting to him.

"Of course," Aiko said with a sharp nod. She pulled at her dress a little. It was bothering her. It was not as comfortable as what she had been wearing the rest of the week.

"Very Good. This is going to be a very long evening, even if everything goes as planned." Master Kung said looking up, it was starting to get dark.

Sunset. The celebrations would go all into the night and into the morning. And it was a Friday, so the celebrations would last all weekend. Then when Monday came around everyone would be back to work.

"You saw him already today, father," Davos said calmly. "As The Thunderer, it was your job to ensure that the preparations went as they have always be done in the past. How is he?"

"He is doing well; he is not stressed about it. And if he was it was nothing I could easily pick up on. Of course, I did not get a chance to observe him for a long enough time. I was with him, but he was putting on a show for everyone else around him. Kasumi told me that she thinks he is starting to feel the pressure a little too much." Master Kung said easily.

"Kasumi's lucky, she's had a chance to speak with him." Aiko sighed. "I think I am just as nervous as he is. I mean this is huge. And it's mostly Ryu who has me troubled."

"Kasumi is headed to the position of City's Leading Mistress. It was only proper she had her share in the preparations." Davos replied easily.

"Enough with the English!" Māmā snapped sharply. "It is suspicious."

"Sorry, Māmā," Aiko said quickly.

They continued to walk until they got the palace.

Aiko didn't really know who she expected to show up. She didn't recognize half the people there. They must have been officials who had come into town for the event.

Aiko followed her father until they arrive in the throne room. There were tons of people and Aiko instantly felt dread for Danny. This was a lot of people.

Master Kung looked at Aiko from the side. "You can go find Kasumi and Hiroshi. But when it is about to start come back, got it?"

"Yes, Father." Aiko bowed her head.

Kasumi and Hiroshi had both been invited personally by Danny, his way of guaranteeing that they would come.

Aiko walked around the crowd but didn't find them.

"Lady Aiko!" A voice called.

Aiko spun around… it didn't sound like anyone she knew.

A teenaged boy not much older than her approached. "I heard you would be here tonight! But I didn't expect you to be so beautiful." He commented.

Aiko felt her face get hot. "Um, hi." She muttered weakly.

"So you are the great Warlord's daughter?" The teen asked.

"Yes, I am Lady Aiko Kung." Aiko smiled softly. "I am…"

"Honored." He replied.

Aiko' mouth tasted metallic. This was not enjoyable. She sighed. This was what is was going to be until she was engaged then… wasn't it? She was a noble… making her that much more valuable.

Aiko took her dress and did a curtsy in reply. "I am sorry to be in a rush, but I am looking for some friends of mine."

"You would not mean the King would you?" The boy asked.

"No, I a-" Aiko was cut off.

"There she is!" Hiroshi's voice was rather loud and Aiko felt her face heat up. Hiroshi didn't mind being embarrassing at times.

Aiko turned and smiled as Hiroshi mad his way through the crowd. Kasumi following him, but being more careful to weave between people.

Hiroshi took one look at the dressed up teen who had been talking to Aiko, then carelessly they his arm around her. "So… who's this?" Hiroshi asked carelessly. Aiko couldn't see it but she was certain Hiroshi had let the teen get a slight glimpse of a bladed weapon.

She only guessed this because the teen who had been trying to talk to her had gone pale.

"I don't know his name." Aiko shrugged.

Kasumi sighed., she stepped forward. "I apologize for my husband." She said smoothly. "He's not the politest person in the world." She shot him a glare.

"It's… not a problem…" The teen said stumbling over his words. "I- err… need to go…"

And like that, he was gone.

Hiroshi sighed taking his arm off of Aiko. "That was easy."

"What did you show him?" Aiko asked.

Hiroshi reached to his side and out of a deep pocket he pulled a Suntetsu. Aiko studied the small weapon.

"I didn't know you had any training in that." She commented.

"Limited, but it's an easy skill to pick up." Hiroshi smiled. "My other pocket has two Sai. Kasumi made me pack light, so I don't have my swords. Only what I can conceal. I also have a Kunai in each sleeve."

"Wow." Aiko smiled. "I wouldn't have guessed just looking at you."

"I've starting training in the sub-arts of ninjutsu, things that Danny learned over the summers when he was always gone. That extra stuff that makes a fighter more well-rounded." Hiroshi smiled. "All in the trade."

Aiko nodded. "Impressive. I feel my training as also been expanded in my time in the outside. My drunken style if definitely much better than before. A whole lot less by the book."

Kasumi sighed shaking her head. "The way I see it," she spoke up, "the better you are the less you get hurt in a real battle."

"But the stronger enemies you make," Aiko added on.

"There is always someone better than you, who can and will hurt you," Hiroshi added on his regularly received humility speech.

Kasumi sighed. "What am I going to do with the two of you?"

"Don't know." Aiko smiled back.

Kasumi shook her head. "Is this exciting or what?" She asked softly.

"Danny?" Aiko clarified.

"Yes." Kasumi nodded. "This is finally here."

"Hey, you got to talk to him during the preparations, right?" Aiko asked.

"Yes, why?" Kasumi asked.

"What did he say? Is he ready?" Aiko asked.

"He didn't really say much; we weren't alone so he didn't want to say anything in front of anybody." Kasumi sighed. "Did either of you see the scar on his back?"

"It was nasty," Hiroshi mumbled. "I walked in right after he got it. The cowards who did it to him saw me and ran. Only the weak will kick a man when he is already down."

"I saw it too." Aiko sighed. "It was horrible. It wasn't serious when you looked at it right?"

"No, I cleaned it out, and he wouldn't stop flinching." Kasumi sighed. "It was painful but it wasn't deep."

Aiko nodded. She looked around. "People seem to be getting ready to start." She commented. "I've got to go find my family."

"We'll catch up after the ceremony," Hiroshi said easily.

"I'm nervous for Danny." Kasumi hugged her stomach.

"Same." Aiko sighed. "See you later!"

Aiko wove through the crowd and made it back to her family. She had a great view. It was in the throne room. Which had like a second story. Seating for public events much like belchers. But you couldn't hide but there because of the design.

Aiko was on the main floor part of the room. She was standing off to the side. A place held for her father due to his important status. And Aiko got to stand there and get a perfect view.

It was quiet for a while. Final touches. Aiko's stomach was in knots, her instincts were kicking in. She could only imagine Danny's stress.

There were plenty of places to hide for an assassin. This was only because of the number of people in the room.

Danny wouldn't have that many people around him at any one given time. At least not during the ceremony. With good enough aim… he would be an easy target.

Plus, the levels of stress that Danny would be under would likely cause some of his fine-tuned senses to be in overdrive. He would be jumpy, not at his complete best.

Aiko took a deep breath and looked up at her father. She could tell he was having the same thoughts. If Danny was going to be targeted, today was a really good time to do it.

Aiko took his hand and wove her hand into his large rough one. She leaned her head on his arm, she was not tall enough to lean on his shoulder.

He didn't direct his gaze anywhere but the cleaned up throne. But he gave her hand a squeeze.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine." He said softly. "Even tonight."

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