Disclaimer: I don't own it… just the plot… I guess… Oh well, let the torture begin…

Author's Note: I think I may have to edit some chapters, only because I don't like how I wrote them, and I have no idea what I'm going to write for this fic. I've decided to skip a lot of the tournament and just get to the finale. You can just imagine how the tournament went, but I WILL write the tournament end. I've got an ending in mind, but it will make the story seem somewhat incomplete. I was thinking that I'd just end it with Kaoru becoming queen, Megumi becoming a doctor, and Shishio silently fuming at his loss in his little corner. If you have any problem with this ending just e-mail or review telling me that's not how you want it to go. Oh and I forgot that I had made Soujiro one of Kaoru's childhood friends! So if it seemed a little weird that I called him a 'short, smiling, child-like youth' instead of just Soujiro, I just forgot. He IS a childhood friend of Kaoru's in this fic. To answer someone's question/request, I WILL not make Soujiro remotely attracted to Misao. Not in a MILLION years. I just despise that pairing, as well as any other alternate pairings concerning Misao. She should just stay with Aoshi and leave it at that.

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?

A Thief's Dream

Chapter Fifteen: The End of the Tournament

The tournament wore on for a few more days, eliminating contestant after contestant till only five were left. The five finalists included Aoshi, Soujiro, Sanosuke, Kaoru, and Kenshin. Grabbing her weapon, Kaoru slowly made her way to the arena where the others were patiently waiting. Kaoru glanced up at the audience and saw her mother and Megumi sitting in one of the balconies overlooking the coliseum. Kaoru's eyes met Megumi's and she offered the princess a weak smile.

The queen lifted her hands, signaling the start of the small melee. The five contestants charged into the center, meeting shield against shield. A loud clanging sound echoed the arena as the finalists quickly shift backwards for another charge. Instantly the melee broke into two separate groups. Kaoru attacked Kenshin with all her might, hoping to God for a miracle. She knew that she stood no chance against Kenshin, but she hoped that through some miscalculation or mistake that she would win.

Kenshin's evade was flawless, but before he was able to strike her Soujiro attacked him from behind.

Sanosuke and Aoshi fought together a little way from the trio.

"What's your return all about, Shinimori?"

"That's-" Aoshi cut off as he ducked one of Sano's blows. "None of your business, Sagara." Sano paused to look at his sparring partner and soon found his calmness a little nerve-racking. Deciding not to think of it, Sano threw another strike at Aoshi, but missed once more. It was clear that Aoshi was the better fighter and that he was just toying with the other man.

Kaoru groaned in frustration as she made another useless attempt to hit Kenshin, but he was able to successfully evade all her attacks. Soujiro, although he helped some, seemed a little withdrawn from the battle. Kaoru came from his left, then his right, but no matter where she came from, he didn't seem fazed. Aoshi and Sano unconsciously merged the two groups as Sano backed up from Aoshi, slightly nervous. The two groups merged into a large melee as the skilled fighters fought vigorously against each other.

Kaoru was the first to be eliminated when Sano hit her stomach. Kaoru glared at the tall brunette when he winked at her. While he was preoccupied, Soujiro took the opportunity to attack Sano. The battle wore on till Soujiro too was eliminated leaving only Kenshin and Aoshi dueling together. At first the battle seemed like a tie, but Kenshin soon took the upper hand as he gained the offensive. Aoshi backed down as his strength and stamina weakened.

And then he saw. He saw the perfect opportunity to assassinate the queen. Their battle had taken them closer to the balcony where the queen was. He was so close to the end of his mission, but could he do it. Misao was already safe and there was nothing holding him to Shishio.

Aoshi's eyes narrowed as he shook his head slightly and blocked Kenshin's next advance. Without even realizing what had happened, Aoshi got hit. The tournament was now over, leaving Kenshin victorious.

Aoshi's emotionless eyes ran over the crowds as he exited the arena.

"Why didn't you do it?"

"Seta?"

Aoshi couldn't help but notice how Sano and his friend were alike. Both he and Soujiro always seemed to pop up when you didn't want them to.

"Shinimori-san, why didn't you do it? You had the perfect opportunity, so why did you let it slip?"

Aoshi just turned away from the younger man and continued walking.

TBC

I have no idea what to write… if you have any ideas for the next chapter (or if you would like to write the next chapter) can you please email me. You will, of course, get credit where it is due, but PLEASE someone help me!!! I'm all out of ideas, which is pretty obvious from this chapter…from this chapter…