A Thief's Dream

Lil-Sun-Rie

Author's Note: Okay, I'm sorry that I haven't updated sooner, it's just that I just got my computer ghosted and therefore lost all of my files. Sad, I know. I was just reading over this story and found that it's somewhat corny and stupid, but don't worry I won't discontinue it. I just hope that you, my loyal readers, won't get sick and tired of this unworthy one's fic. I wanted to write notes to people here, but there's a new guideline that says we can't write notes to individual reviewers. That means, no more notes… :'( I wanted to say, thank you for all those who reviewed and that it's nice to see that you're still faithful readers (*cough*SSSRoab*cough*). I'm happy ya'll love this fic and that really helps bring up my self-confidence.

Summary: 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?

Disclaimer: When I wish upon a star… I think of Rurouni Kenshin… Oh look a STAR!

A Thief's Dream

Chapter Eleven: Five more days…

I've become so numb,

I can't feel you there,

Become so tired,

So much more aware. 

My becomingness,

All I want to do,

I be more like me,

And be less like you.

              -Likin Park

Five more days… One hundred twenty hours… Seventy-two hundred minutes… that's all the time he had to find a wife. Kenshin didn't know why he didn't think about the bet he had with his father until now. He had five days – etcetera, etcetera – to find a wife, and if he didn't then his father would chose for him. Kenshin wasn't too sure if having his father choose would be a 'good' choice. Kenshin decided to have some 'alone' time, but as always; Kaoru didn't let him out of her sight. She insisted on following him in her 'manly' disguise. It still amazed him how many women thought she was a man. Kenshin looked down at the unconscious person. He had decided to go into a bar and, what was to be expected, Kaoru couldn't hold her liquor very well. After about two jugs full, Kaoru was already muttering incoherently and passed out with her head against the table.

Musing on the days events Kenshin realized that it was filled with activities with Kaoru. He once again glanced down at the person in question; she still hasn't moved (not that he thought she would), but she was muttering in her sleep.

"M-mom... d-do-don't leave…"

Thank the gods that it was so noisy in the bar or else someone might start harassing Kenshin and his sleeping, supposedly males, friend. Not knowing what to do, Kenshin gently swatted away a fly that brushed against Kaoru's face. He never really realized how 'peaceful' she could be when she slept… Wait a minute! That means I'll have to carry her back!

Kenshin's glazed look turned into a menacing glare. He just couldn't believe the position he was in.

Then his thoughts flitted back to the bet… only five days… five damn days… five crappy days… five – well, you get the point: it was five days as was stated above. Suddenly, Kaoru's mumbling (once again) attracted his attention. She whimpered and placed her arms under her head to cushion it. Kenshin smiled and placed his head in his arms, much like the same position Kaoru was in. Although she was dressed like a man, he could still see her more feminine features.

He didn't understand why people thought she was a man; she didn't look anything like it. Kenshin inwardly thought that the scarf that covered her hair accented her pale skin… and since when did he care, well obviously since now.

It was like Kaoru had a spell over him, which made him want to learn as much about her as humanly possible. She was so unpredictable and spontaneous. Kenshin looked up and was surprised to see a rooster-haired man grinning at him.

"Somewhat odd tastes you have." Kenshin immediately knew what he meant because if you saw a man staring intently at another, the same thought would probably have crossed your mind as well.

"I'm not like that."

Sanosuke Sagara was about to reply to Kenshin's statement, but once he looked into his eyes he knew it was better to drop it.

…

…

But, being Sanosuke Sagara, he couldn't help himself. "He is quite a looker, though." Sanosuke finished his statement with a suggestive wink, which earned himself a powerful glare.

"Okay, okay!" Sanosuke said in an attempt to cool down Kenshin's anger, "I know that he- I mean she is not a man."

"Oro…"

"I'm not stupid."

"Sorry, you could've fooled me."

Without warning a hand rammed against the back of Kenshin's unsuspecting head. Kenshin grasped his head and looked up into stormy blue eyes. "That's a mean thing to say, baka!"

He didn't know how or when Kaoru woke up, but the evidence that she did was pretty clear… and painful. Kenshin glared at Kaoru and turned his attention back to Sanosuke, "How did you find out?"

"Well, her ki doesn't feel so masculine…" Sanosuke gave Kaoru a small smile, "It's a good thing no one believes in that anymore though, and otherwise you'd be gone!" Sanosuke gave a loud laugh and patted her heavily against the back. Kaoru gave a small growl which stopped Sanosuke immediately.

"Well… the names Sanosuke Sagara." Sano smiled brightly as he leaned across the table to shake Kenshin's hand, which Kenshin just stared at. Instead of Kenshin shaking Sanosuke's hand, Kaoru reached over and smiled.

"My name is Kao!"

"Your name's Cow!?"

Kenshin suddenly slammed his hands against the table and pointed at Kaoru with a big grin on his face. "I TOLD YOU!"

Kaoru gave Kenshin a confused look, "What are you talking about?"

"I told you your name sounds like 'Cow.'"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"That doesn't matter Kao, did you guys here about this prince that was sent here to court Princess Megumi?"


Kaoru and Kenshin just gave him blank stares. "Oh well, I've heard that he is very feminine! Can you believe it? A woman looking man!"

Kenshin turned red with anger… sure it could be any other prince, but why did it offend him so? Maybe it was because of his long hair and history of being mistaken for a girl…

"Sano, what do you know of this prince?" Kenshin asked in a very tight voice.

"Well, I just heard that he was very feminine looking with long red… uh…" Sano caught a glance of Kenshin's hair, "uh… sorry about that… Please don't punish me!" Sano collapsed onto his knees.

"Kenshin!" Kaoru slapped Kenshin's head once more. "That's so mean! He was just passing on what he heard!" Kaoru glared at Kenshin.

Sanosuke smiled at Kaoru, "Thanks Jou-chan…"

Kenshin watched as he silently fumed. Still, he had five days left to pick a wife and the only choice he had right now was Megumi and he didn't even know what she was like. Kenshin glanced at Kaoru, would she be willing to marry him…?

Where did THAT come from?!

Kenshin shook his head violently, what's going on with him? Maybe it's just because he of the pressure that was put on him. So many people expected him to get married.

"Hey, Kao, why are you dressed that way?"

Kaoru looked at Sano and then at the people around to make sure no one was listening. "Does it really matter?"

"I was just asking!" Sano replied with his hands in the air. "Some people just get offended too easily!"

Kaoru smiled lightly, somewhat drunkenly, "I just wanted to ignore some one!" She waved off at some of the people in the room. Since Kaoru woke up, she didn't seem that drunk, but looking at her now it was certain.

Kenshin choose this moment to join the conversation. Since she was drunk maybe he could learn more about her. "Who is it you want to ignore?"

Sano shot Kenshin an anxious glance towards him, Sano wasn't sure that it was such a polite question to ask while someone was drunk.

"My mom…" was her simple answer. Kenshin and Sano exchanged looks.

"I may be a ruffian, but I know my limits. That's an impolite thing to ask and what makes it worse is that she won't remember telling you all this. Oh well, while I'm here I'll help you get her home." The thought of a stranger carrying Kaoru inflamed a sudden jealousy within. Sano pulled Kaoru's seat out and attempted to help Kaoru up, but she refused him.

Kaoru limply pushed against Sano. Kenshin sighed impatiently and flung Kaoru over his shoulder. Kaoru weakly protested, but the liquor that she drunk was getting to her and she hung limp in Kenshin's arm.

"She doesn't really like me?"

"Maybe it's cause she's drunk. I never really thought she liked me." Kenshin smiled over his shoulder and headed towards the door.

"Hey!" Sano grinned, "I'll walk you guys home."

Kenshin, Kaoru, and Sano walked in silence for a few minutes till Kaoru seemed to have passed out.

"I'm surprised that Kaoru didn't remember me…" Kenshin looked up at Sano, who was about a head taller than himself.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's like this… I've known Kaoru for a long time, but she doesn't remember me… or maybe it's cause she's drunk." Kenshin gave a small laugh.

"I think that's the reason."

"Yeah… I wasn't really sure it was her until she answered your question." Kenshin sighed.

"I've only known Kaoru for a two days and all she's been is trouble."

"She's always been a rebellious girl… Kaoru used to come to this tavern all the time just to hang out with me and the guys. The first time we saw her, we didn't really know she was a… well, she."

Sano smiled as he pulled the scarf off of Kaoru's head. "That's how we found out! Soujiro and Okita were picking on her, and stole her bandana. The rest you can figure out." Sano looked down at Kaoru as if he were looking down at his younger sister. He ruffled her hair and the sleeping Kaoru moaned loudly.

"Sano… stop messing up… my hair…"

"She does remember me!"

"Mess up her hair?"

"I messed up her hair all the time!"

Kenshin grinned at Sano; he could just imagine how they interacted. They probably acted exactly like brother and sister.

"You know what? Kaoru's always wanted to compete in the jousting tournaments… now that her mom doesn't know she's here; she'll be able to join them." Kenshin and Sano stopped at the castle gates. Kaoru seemed to somber up a little. She opened her eyes and stared at Sano.

"Hey Rooster head, it's been a while…" Kaoru gave Sanosuke a small smile. "Do you want me to tell Megumi to come down?" Sanosuke blushed slightly.

"That's okay Jou-chan." He tried desperately to cover his embarrassment. Kaoru smile grew larger, "I'm happy to see you again."

Kenshin looked at Kaoru and Sano. He really envied their relationship because he's never been close to someone since Tomoe…

Kenshin's eyes flashed lavender as he looked down at Kaoru. She was so beautiful… Again Kenshin thought that something was taking over his mind. He never thought that he would think she was beautiful… But still… she was so unlike the other girls he's seen.

"Good night Sano…" With that Kaoru once again fell asleep. The only thing she remembered before falling asleep was that she felt safe because she was with the two people she trusted most…

Kenshin brought Kaoru to their joint room. He told the queen that they needed a joint room because his personal servant 'knew' every little thing there was and therefore didn't need to sleep in another room.

Kenshin placed Kaoru on the small cot that laid at the food of his bed.

He smiled down at her calm face. She looked so beautiful… so pensive… Just like Tomoe always was… but, she was so different from Tomoe. And yet he knew there was something special about her. Kenshin slowly leaned forwards, "So beautiful…"

Kenshin was so caught up in the moment that he didn't realize that he was leaning closer and closer… suddenly their lips touched and a small spark spread through Kenshin's body. Her lips were so soft… so tender. The kiss was brief and sweet. Although Kaoru wasn't awake, he could feel her passion for living flow from her body to his.

Kenshin dipped down for another kiss, capturing hers in his. Suddenly, she kissed him back with an equal passion.

Kenshin pulled back in surprise and stared down at her.

"Kenshin…"

TO BE CONTINUED…

Well, I don't think this chapter was all that great, but it does bring their feelings a little more evident. I'm thinking of starting another Rurouni Kenshin AU. It's another medieval fic, and yes Kaoru is a princess once again. This fic will be based on a book I've read recently.

The title is "Midsummer Night's Escape." The summary is that Kaoru is a princess who is promised to the prince of neighboring country in order to prevent a war. During one of her many escapes, she meets a mercenary and falls in love… to bad he thinks she's a man.  

I hope that when I start it some of you guys will read it.

Hm... I don't really know what to write for my other fics too! Ah! This is so terrible…