Author's Note: I was so happy to see more reviews. This could be the first time I get over a hundred on the tenth chappie… -_- I'm kind of mad right now! Those stupid bank people!! . Kill!! Must kill!!

Summary: Kenshin is a lonely prince who has been kidnapped… Kaoru is a thief that saves his life, is a relationship between royalty and criminals possible? Can Kaoru be what Kenshin was waiting for…?

Disclaimer: I only own the plot… -_-

A Thief's Dream

Chapter Four: The Long Afternoon

You make me so excited,

And I don't want to fight it.

I start to blush,

You are my sugar rush,

There's nothing better, baby.

Is it for real or maybe?

I start to blush,

You are my sugar rush.

-A Teens

"But, it's not fair! Why do you get to choose the prize?!"

"I'm the prince." He simply stated walking away.

"But, couldn't it be something like bragging rights… or money!"

"Like you have some." He turned and gave Kaoru a skeptical look. She simply bowed her head to hide her embarrassment. She was poor. She couldn't afford anything, so what else could she give him…?

"I'll stop speaking for a week."

"Nope, a kiss is what the prize will be. Not that I want to kiss you, it's just that's all you have to give." Kenshin grinned at Kaoru, who glared angrily at him.

"You're so… so…"

"Handsome, good-looking, intelligent... you know this could go on."

"Don't kid yourself. I was going to say ugly, unfair, and dumb."

"You seriously don't know who your talking too."

"I'm sorry; I thought I was talking to a jackass." She spoke with a low drawling voice. Kenshin was immediately offended and he was about to reach out and strangle her when his father arrived. Kenshin looked up at King Hiko.

"Baka-deshi. Did you already send the carriages?"

Kenshin nodded, "Yes milord."

"You forgot to send the gifts!" Hiko punched Kenshin into the ground, giving Kenshin a large bump on the head.

"Now I have to get another carriage to send the gifts. Baka-deshi! You and your horseback riding. I seriously don't understand you." Hiko walked away with his head in his hands, shaking it back and forth.

Kenshin rubbed his sore head. Kaoru just grinned at him.

"Baka-deshi…" She mimicked Hiko's low, growling voice. She broke out laughing at the expression on Kenshin's face. Did she really mimic Hiko's voice perfectly? No… it was more of a sore throat voice… Kenshin slowly got up.

"I think we should give the horses a little exercise. And, if it is possible, I'll give you a horseback riding lesson." Kenshin gave her a cocky wink and watched in amusement as Kaoru's face grew red… almost as red as a tomato. Kaoru looked ready to attack Kenshin, but later thought better of it. She had to concentrate on winning this race. She wouldn't let Kenshin win her first kiss.

Kaoru walked behind Kenshin as he led her to the stables. (a/n: I have stables in both my Rurouni Kenshin stories… -_-)

Kaoru looked in awe at the magnificent stallions. They were all so beautiful. Kaoru spotted a red haired mare and instantly fell in love with it. It had wonderful, strong shoulders built for endurance and long graceful legs for speed and poise. She loved the horse already. Kaoru walked to it and gently placed her hand on its nose. The cool moist nose moved under her touch and she smiled. She looked into the huge black eyes of the horse and felt like somewhere in them was a real person. The horse's eyes held intelligence, as if it could understand all that happened. Her hands traveled to its ears and then down its silky mane. It was a lovely horse and she wanted to ride it. Kaoru looked at Kenshin who was getting a pair saddles and smiled.

She led the horse out of the stall and gently laid her hands on its back. It was so soft! Kaoru hoisted herself onto the horse and let it trot right out the stable doors. Kenshin heard the sound of hooves on stone, but ignored it. He turned to ask Kaoru which horse she was taking, only to find that she was gone and one of the horses was gone too. Kenshin sighed. When will this girl just behave! Kenshin carried the saddle and blanket outside to look for Kaoru, knowing that she already must have chosen a horse. He smiled when he saw her riding a horse with a large smile plastered on her face. For once she didn't seem dangerous, mischievous, or angry… she just seemed happy and free. Kenshin just had to smile as she laughed and rode the horse around the small field. It was then that Kenshin noticed which horse she was riding.

"Her name is Apples, but you can't use that horse."

Kaoru jumped down from the horse.

"Why?"

She looked so sad. Had she already loved the horse? Apparently she did. Kenshin sighed. He vowed that no one would ever use that horse again. It had been Tomoe's, his ex-fiancé. Tomoe was so happy when she saw the horse. He had given it to her as a birthday gift and she had taken to the horse immediately. He remembered her smooth hands wandering over the horses back. He remembered her smiling and saying her name for the first time.

"Apples… that's what I'll name him…"

There was the faintest hint of a smile on her face. The smallest and most purest smile she had given him. That day, he was so happy that he was able to cause her that smile. That small smile.

Kenshin was brought out of his thoughts when Kaoru placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Why can't I ride her?"

"Because… it belonged to someone I once knew… I don't want anyone to ride her." Kaoru looked downcast, but reluctantly agreed. He looked so serious when he said that. It just scared her to see him so sad; although there was a small smile on his face, his eyes reflected all the sorrow he held and she read the pain like an open book.

"I'm sorry… I'll put her back in the stable…" Kaoru slowly led the horse into the stables. Kenshin looked out into the fields and finally realized that this was the place where he had last seen Tomoe.

"I'm sorry Kenshin…"

"What are you talking about Tomoe?"

"I'm really sorry…"

"There's nothing to be sorry about."

"Yes… yes… there is…"

"You can tell me anything, what's wrong?"

"I'm really, really sorry…"

"Tomoe… there are tears in your eyes… what happened?"

"Kenshin…"

"Tomoe…"

"I'm sorry, but…"

"What?"

"I fell in love…"

"I love you."

"But, it wasn't you…"

"But, I love you…"

"It wasn't you…"

Kenshin sighed and closed his eyes before any tears could escape from them. That was the first and last time he cried. She was gone. She loved another and married another. It wasn't him…

He thought that there was no problem in their relationship. He thought that they were happy together and they would grow old together as a married couple. He never thought that they would be distanced and he never thought that she'd fall for another. He peeked into the stable and saw Kaoru whispering gently to the horse and instantly she reminded him of how Tomoe would do that every morning. Tomoe never smiled except at that horse. Kenshin felt that he had to keep her only happiness alive. He felt that since Apples was Tomoe's happiness, he had to love it and cherish it like he would her.

Kenshin frowned. Maybe he should just let her ride the horse, after all making sure that no one rides won't bring Tomoe back. Kaoru looked so sad too. He just wanted to put her smile back on her face. Kenshin put a hand on Kaoru's shoulder. He smiled down at her curious face and he handed her a blanket.

"Better get saddled up. The horse needs exercise before the long trip."

"You mean I can… that I can ride her?!"

Kenshin just nodded and watched as Kaoru's face lit up with happiness. She really wanted to ride the horse, huh? Kaoru smiled and wrapped her arms around Kenshin.

"Thank you!"

Kenshin just stood there, unsure of what to do. He hesitantly pat her head and then pulled away. Kaoru happily skipped to the horse.

"I get to ride you! Isn't that wonderful?!" The horse softly snorted and Kaoru wrapped her arms around the horse's neck. She just loved the beautiful beast. She gently placed the blanket on her back, folding the edge at the base of its neck. Kaoru, then ran to the saddle rack and picked up the heavy leather mass. Kenshin saw Kaoru struggling under the weight, but before he could offer any help, she ran back to the horse and saddled her up.

Was this what happened when she was happy?

I guess so.

Did he want her to act like this all the time?

It seems so.

Kenshin just shook his head with a smile on his face and hurriedly saddled his own horse, Yu. His horse was pure with a long sagging mane. It was a majestic beast like most of the horses in the stable. It had broad shoulders built for strength and a powerful run. His horse was built for speed and endurance. Kenshin was proud of his stallion, seeing as he raised it from a little calf. He gently ran his fingers through the horse's hair and smiled. He loved riding his horse.

The couple led their horses out of the stables by the reigns and swiftly hoisted themselves onto the saddle seat. They rode out into the larger fields and stopped once in a while to let their horses graze. Wouldn't want to tire them out!

Kaoru sat under a huge oak tree and sneaked a look at Kenshin. She didn't understand what was wrong with him. Earlier they were bickering like little kids and now it was just silence… She hated that word. She hated silence. Many things can happen in silence and there would be no sound to point it out. Kaoru sighed aloud and wanted to do something to get Kenshin mad. She didn't know why, but she liked it when he was mad. For some reason, it just seemed better than having him quiet.

Why am I worried about that snot-nosed prince?!

Maybe it's because you care.

I don't care about this bastard! I seriously don't care what in the hell happens to him!

And yet… you want to know what he's thinking.

I don't know…

You want to know why he's sad. You want to know what made the proud prince break.

I want to know what touched him in a way I never thought anyone could.

You saw sorrow and unrequited love in his eyes.

Who was the love for?

Who the hell cares?

I don't know…

Just keep telling yourself that.

I just want to make him happy…

But, is that possible for a thief?

The better question is, is that possible for me?

Kenshin looked down at Kaoru. She seemed to be thinking of something, but he couldn't find out what she was thinking about. It was almost sunset and their race would begin. He seriously didn't know why he demanded the kiss as a prize. He probably just wanted to see her get mad, plus what else could she give him? Money? Ha! She was a thief, what did that tell you?

She seemed to be arguing with herself because her eyes narrowed in concentration and her brow furrowed in confusion. Suddenly Kaoru hit Kenshin on the head, full force.

"STOP STARING AT ME!"

Kenshin fell to the ground with a dumb look on his face and so ended their long afternoon. The race was about to start and the only thought that flit through Kaoru's mind was, 'must win this damned race…'

TO BE CONTINUED…

This chapter was kind of dramatic… alright! It was dramatic! I hope you guys don't mind, it's just that I mostly do drama and angst fics… -_- I promise there won't be a lot of drama chapters in this story, it was just that this idea came into my head and I thought it would be cool to put it in the story.

PLEASE DON'T BE MAD!!!

And REVIEW!!