A/N: Sorry about the mistaking the palace for being in Kyoto instead of Tokyo. I've decided to keep it in Kyoto since I already have it going in that direction. I guess I'll just make this story a little bit of an AU.

Undeserved Honor

Chapter 3:

Morning came all too quickly. The anticipation of the trip ahead was enough to make even Kenshin feel jittery. He had never had any idea that something could happen so quickly. He had yet to even know the purpose of why he had to suddenly drop everything and go to Kyoto.

Yahiko made his way to the carriage, struggling under the weight of the heavy packages.

"Geez Kaoru! Did you have to buy so much yesterday? You're always complaining about how there is never enough money but suddenly when you go shopping, you have a bunch!"

Kaoru glared at Yahiko. She was trying to find out how long to ride was going to take from the coachmen. Didn't Yahiko know NOT to interrupt people when they were speaking?

"If you would like me to take back all of your new stuff. I will and you can stay here and take care of the dojo."

Kaoru turned back to the coachman.

"How long with the journey take?"

"About 2 or 3 days maim."

"Arigatou."

Kaoru gave a short bow and went to check on everything else.

"Kenshin, are you almost ready to go?"

"Kaoru-dono, you really didn't have to get me these. Plus, shouldn't I save this clothes for the meeting in Kyoto?"

"Just come on out! We have to go and remember, I got enough stuff so you don't have to wear the same thing twice."

"Only you would make sure of that."

"Oh, just come on out! What is taking so long anyways?"

"I can't find something."

Kenshin finally emerged from his room. Kaoru couldn't help but think how good he looked. Buying that black gi and haori had been a good idea.

"You look great! From now on I'm going to make sure you dress like this every day!"

"But-"

"No 'buts'. Now what were you looking for?"

"I can't find my sword."

"WHAT? How could you lose something that you barely ever take off?"

Kenshin meagerly backed away.

"I took it off to change."

"Hold on"

Kaoru had an idea about what had happened. She went around the side of the house and sure enough.

"YAHIKO! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"

Yahiko looked over at Kaoru and smiled innocently.

"Um---practicing"

He brought the sheathed sword down for one more swing. The saya flew off and nearly hit Kaoru.

30 minutes later:

The carriage finally pulled away from the dojo with another one stuffed with luggage trailing close behind like a trained dog. Chirou, Kenshin, and Kaoru sat comfortably in the spacious carriage.

"Kaoru, where's Yahiko?"

"Oh, he insisted on riding with the luggage."

Meanwhile back in the luggage cart Yahiko was crammed between two suitcases.

"I hate my life."

The trip was pretty much uneventful for the first part. Kaoru watched the world fly by like an endless picture of perfection. This was one of her first times riding in a horse drawn carriage and she was making sure that she enjoyed every minute of it. Kenshin made easy conversation with Chirou but spent most of the time trying to calm himself. He was trying to figure out whether he should be scared or excited?

The carriage stopped for the night at a quite little inn. Reservations had been made and each of the 4 had there own room. They retired early. Although they had been sitting the whole trip, the journey had worn them out.

~X~

The silver sliver that hung low in the sky appeared like a mocking smile. It was is if it were happy to see the red-coated field gleaming with newly shed blood. The earth was stained and cried out every time as a body fell to its surface with crimson flowing freely away from it. The one who had condemned the bodies to never rise again stood looking over the field.

Then the scene switched. It was no longer the blood painted battlefield. Now he found himself standing in a lavishly decorated room. He was dressed in a formal gi and hakama. Anxiously he looked around. All he could see was a blur of faces. Faces that his mind had created of people who had never existed.

A gaudishly dressed man stood on a raised platform. He was speaking but all he could hear was what sounded like the roar of the wind. The words were lost to themselves. Suddenly he clearly heard his name mentioned. The faceless bodies turned to face him. He slowly backed away. He knew he was being awarded for something. He didn't want it though. He tried to escape the room but he seemed to be seeing everything there a hazy vision. The room seemed to be spinning. He tried to run but he couldn't get away. That was the last thing he remembered before he passed out.

~X~

Kenshin awoke quickly at the sound of someone knocking on his door.

"Yes?"

"It's Kaoru. Yahiko, Chirou, and I are going to breakfast. Please meet us down there when you are ready."

"Yes Kaoru-dono"

Kenshin absentmindedly listened to her footsteps disappear down the hallway. He was to busy trying to figure out what his dream meant. The first time he could recognize her he was. This second one though completely puzzled him. The events had never taken place. He had no idea even where he had been. The details, unlike the last one, where clearly imprinted in his mind. It seemed like lately his dreams had been trying to tell him something. Were they all connected to this meeting with the emperor or were they purely inventions of his mind like so many dreams are believed to be?

He got out of the futon and get dressed making sure he wore something Kaoru would approve of. The last thing he wanted to put up with was Kaoru giving him a hard time about what he was wearing. He was to busy worrying. Last time he had had a dream of this sort, Saito had appeared followed by some bad occurrences. He slipped his sot through his sash and walked out of the room to breakfast. He would have to leave his worries to tomorrow.

To be continued.

A/N: Sorry it has taken so long to review. I just have been procrastinating badly. I couldn't even manage to make a goo chapter as well. I guess this is just here to help move the story along. This is what I get for attempting to do 2 fics at once. Even more I have yet to update me other one. Oh well, be happy that I have finally talked some sense into myself. Please keep on reviewing.

Miles of smiles, Naomi