Author's Note: Let's see, I'm not sure if I want this to be a long fic, but oh well. I'm going to use a commonly used plot in this chapter and possibly the ones later, but it really was what I had in mind for a long time.

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 wish I may, I wish I might! To own Sanosuke and HOLD him tight!!!! ^_^

A Thief's Dream

Chapter Ten: What's wrong?

'Cause we lost it all,

Nothing last forever,

I'm sorry I can't be perfect.

And it's just too late,

And we can't go back,

I'm sorry I can't be perfect.

-Simple Plan

Kaoru and Kenshin finally made it to the nearest city. It happened to be the city right next to the castle, but Kenshin insisted that they should buy new clothes and freshen up before meeting with the queen.

"Okay, Kaoru…" Kaoru glared at Kenshin. No matter how many times she told him to stop, he just wouldn't. "Take this money and buy new clothes. We can't go the castle with you looking like…" Kenshin gave her the once over, "That."

Kaoru's eyes narrowed even more till they were little slits with a small sparkle of anger in her deed blues. Kenshin waved it off and dumped a pouch of coins into her hands.

"What's wrong with the way I look?!"

"Well, I don't want my servant to look like something that came from a pile of shit."

"How can you say that?! You look way worse than I do! You looked like you came from up some rich king's ass!"

Kenshin just glared at him and took that moment to remind her that he was a prince and therefore should be treated as one.

"I am the prince and I think that you should treat me as one."

"Why? Because you'll cry to daddy king and tell him to whip my ass."

"That can be arranged."

Kaoru just glared and then stormed off leaving Kenshin in the middle of the town without an escort… not that he should need one…

"Evil, evil, evil, evil." Kenshin just grinned to himself and walked off to buy some food before he set off to by his clothes.

Kenshin looked up at the sky, "I hope she remembers the inn we are sleeping in today…"

Kenshin just shook his head and walked away.

_________________________________

Kaoru walked into a tailor. She wasn't sure if she was ready to go to the castle… I mean her mother did say not to return, plus Megumi would see her too. Did she really want to risk the humiliation to come if she did go? Suddenly Kaoru got a wonderful idea. She hurriedly ran into the tailor and bought her clothing.

"I need a tunic, breeches, and a sash. Some leather boots would be lovely too." The tailor looked at Kaoru as if she were crazy for wanting to buy men's clothing. Kaoru, realizing this, hastily added, "It's for my master." She looked down at her worn tunic and noticed that it was green and formfitting for the more feminine sex. She looked at the tunic handed to her and saw that its collar wasn't as high as hers because men weren't required to cover their bosom as much as women were.

Kaoru looked at the breeches and found them really disturbing, seeing as they clung to the legs and showed off every muscular feature of them. Kaoru just swallowed loudly, The things I have to do…

Kaoru took the clothes from the peasant and paid him. She didn't even bother asking how much he expected, she just handed him the whole pouch. The peasant looked too surprised to accept it, but when she told him it was okay he just bowed down to her. Kaoru felt a blush rise to her cheeks so she hastily ran away.

Kaoru ran to the inn and found that Kenshin was already sleeping. There was a large sac next to him and she assumed that it was all the goods that he had bought that day.

________________________________________

The next day, Kenshin waiting anxiously for Kaoru. They would finally be able to get out of living like… commoners… and live like royalty… well; Kenshin would at least live royally. Kenshin looked up when he heard footsteps and out came a scrawny looking boy. The boy looked oddly familiar… he had really pale skin like Kaoru and large blue eyes like Kaoru… Kenshin and the boy stared at one another.

Why is he staring at me weird? Oh wait, I forgot… he doesn't know it's me!

"Will you stop staring at me, you royal prick?" Kenshin's eyes widened… His voice is EXACTLY like Kaoru's! He's either really Kaoru or…

"Are you Kaoru's twin brother?"

"No! it's me!" Kaoru tugged at the scarf over her head and let her hair tumble down her back. "Gee, it's so nice to know that you could recognize me."

Kaoru carefully wrapped the scarf around her hair.

"Why are you dressed like that?! You look like a man!"

"Well, duh! That's the whole point."

Kenshin took a moment to look Kaoru up and down. She was wearing a low collared, brown tunic that reached her knees. Covering her legs were green colored breeches that clung to her well formed legs. If it was anyone, but Kaoru Kenshin would be drooling by now. He noticed a brown sash was tied loosely at her waist and thought about the possibilities of there being a knife hidden somewhere in their folds.

"Why do you want to look like a man?"

"I just don't feel comfortable going into the court as myself."

Kenshin nodded, "There's one more problem, a name?"

"Um… Well, why don't you call me… Kao!"

"You want to be named "Cow.""

"I told you before! Stop doing that to my name! This time it's Ka-o."

"Still sounds like Cow to me. Oh well, it doesn't matter much. Let's get going Cow."

Kaoru just growled and followed Kenshin into the inn's stables. They mounted their horses and set off to the castle. Kaoru glared at Kenshin's back, but when he looked back to check if she was still there, she would just smiled. When they finally reached the castle, Kaoru quickly jumped off the horse and took Kenshin's horse… as a respectable slave would and brought them to the stables where the caretakers would feed them. When she finished she returned to the spot where Kenshin was to find that he had already left.

Kaoru sighed loudly and sneaked into the castle. She knew every secret so it took her no time at all to find Kenshin, who was currently lost in the castle. It seems that he lost the servant who was leading him and didn't know how to find the throne room.

"Prince! Your Majesty! Hello?" Kaoru was finally able to get Kenshin's attention and when she did, she pointed at two large doors. Kenshin grinned sheepishly, Why haven't I noticed those before…?

Kaoru just smirked and pushed the doors open. She would probably have to announce Kenshin's arrival since they couldn't find another servant to do. Kaoru puffed out her chest and tried her best to walk as "manly" as she could.

"Requesting the attention of the court, Prince Kenshin Himura of the Kingdom Hiten Mitsurugi has arrived!" Trumpets flared and Kenshin walked in with his flowing cape that Kaoru failed to notice till now. It was then that she was really able to take in his whole appearance. He was wearing a long velvet cape, a red tunic with gold embroidery, and black breeches. Kenshin smiled at everyone in the room and stopped in front of the queen. He slowly kneeled on one knee.

"We expected you earlier."

"I apologize for our tardiness, but we met with some troubles on the road."

"It's fine. Now, welcome to Kingdom Takani!" The queen held out her hands as a sign of their hospitality. Kenshin noticed that she somewhat looked like Kaoru. He didn't know why, but they had a certain ki linking them. Kenshin's gaze shifted to the young woman sitting to the right of the queen. She was a very beautiful woman with long black hair. She was wearing a white gown that contrasted with her hair, but made her look even more fair than before. Her lips were painted with rouge that gave them a certain shine.

"This is my daughter, Megumi. She is no doubt the reason of your visit."

Megumi looked at Kenshin. Sure he was handsome, but just not what she wanted. Her gaze shifted to the servant who introduced him. 'He' wasn't one of theirs so he was probably Kenshin's. Megumi couldn't help but notice his feminine features, such as his delicate bone structure and slender, but long neck. She looked oddly familiar. Megumi slowly counted in her head. When would this end, she was so bored that she would really considered running away. Megumi suddenly thought about Kaoru again. No matter what she did, Kaoru always entered her mind. Things like, how was she doing?, what was she doing?, and would she come back soon? Were her most common thoughts.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Okay, right now I'm really mad at my sister. No matter what I do, she always messes up my things. All my mangas are ruined because of her. A lot of my books are ruined, my room is messed up and I have to clean it because of HER. GRRRR!!! I'm so MAD!!! Sometimes I just want to strangle her and put an end to my misery, but sometimes I just love her to death. But, it's not one of those times! *must strangle*

Oh well, moving on… I watched Lady Killers over the week end. To spoil the end for everyone reading, they kill each other or kill themselves! LOL! It was so funny though, but not really good for those youngsters. I also watched Scooby Doo 2 and loved it! LOL! I'm still a child at heart… *sigh* It's so cute though! I really wanted Daphne to fight more than she did in the movie because it's really cool when she does. Again, I'm sorry for the short chapter.

I have a question to ask, should I put Tomoe in this fic? I'm not sure if I should because I'll have to make her really hateable (my own word). Just tell me what I should do!

Okay, here's the deal… I'm really getting tired of my summary so I'm going to replace it, but I NEED your help to see which one is best. You can tell me in a review, e-mail… or any other way that makes you happy.

1) He's a handsome, yet arrogant prince. She's a skilled, ignorant thief. They're not the most cooperative pair and when Kenshin is forced to court a princess… Kaoru has no choice, but to tag along.

2) It was a fine day until Kaoru crashed into Kenshin, and when he forces her to be his slave… chaos ensues! Follow the pair through obstacles of old lovers, hilarious pranks, and… corny jokes…

3) Kaoru was a fiery princess who learned swordsmanship and thievery, but when her mother disowns her, the world she knows is thrown in chaos. Can Kenshin discover her secret before he forces her to return to the past she tried so hard to forget?

4) Kaoru, once a princess, grows up to become a skilled thief. Her world is once again turned upside down when she meets the prince of a neighboring kingdom… and get this; he's forced to court her sister! Will this chaos ever be solved?

Okay, yeah I know they suck but oh well! Those are your choices so now help me out and tell me which one's the best!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!! Or, do you want me to keep the original one?

I'm so happy that people actually read these things! It's so cool to get replies from a lot of my reviewers. Please, I also need some constructive criticism to tell me how to improve!

Again I ask, if it sucks, please tell me why! Don't just leave it at "Oh that sucks." The least you could do is say, "Oh that sucks because blah, blah, blah, blah…"

Gomen, for the short chapter, but I'm hoping to make longer ones. Please REVIEW! That nice shiny button needs some Lov'in! LOL! It needs some attention, so give it some!