AN: I realized that some of you are confused about the past three chapters... :x
So I'm going to try my best and explain what I was –trying- to coughillustratecough.

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Brief summary on the first three chapters.
Kamiya Kaoru is a princess who was betrothed to a prince from another kingdom, namely Himura Kenshin, ever since they were at a very tender age. The first chapter attempted to explain the close relationship between Kamiya and Himura (the two fathers), as well as Kenshin and Kaoru, their children.
Then the chapter was forwarded to ten years later, the scene taking place where Kamiya (Kaoru's father) dies from a brutal murder. She was devastated, since she loved him deeply.
Adding to her frustration, the captain tells her that the murderer was Kenshin, her fiancée.

In the present time she's eighteen, the year she was supposed to wed Kenshin. So in chapter two, it tells you that for the past three years, Kenshin never visited, talked, seen or wrote to her once. And that makes her feel even worse. They do love each other, so it's not surprising that she's confused on why he did not bother to see her. (that was what she thought.)
I wrote a lot of flashbacks in this chapter, and it ends with Kaoru feeling tired, wanting to sleep. She does sleep eventually, but was stirred a little when she felt a touch on her face.

Now, in chapter three, Kenshin returns and Kaoru feels relieved. Upon his arrival, the chief counselor plans their wedding, which would be taking place in two months. Still determined to find her father's murderer, she pressures the captain to find the culprit.
But the captain insists that the murderer is her husband to be, (according to evidence and spies) in which Kaoru objects completely. She's determined to believe that Kenshin would never lie to her, giving him her full trust.

-Exhales- Did that clear your confusion? Let me know :D.

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To --- Erica6060, Strawberry Promises, Fantasy Angel Victoria, Nanakiyoda, Mademoiselle Anime, Prohibited, Bradybunch4529, Kaiya Kimura, ?-?-?-? (Very anonymous-y indeed), Triste1, Scented Candles, Shadow61x, Jewel Of Souls and Kitsune. Thank you very much for your reviews :)

Scented Candles: Haha, well I guess that would be for ME to know, and for YOU to find out! (I've always wanted to say that.) Thanks for the offer! I'll email you the next chapter then, alright? Leave me your email address in a review, or… email me or something. :)
And as for that mistake of mine… I'm not sure either - -; I think I'll ask my mom when she comes home later. Cough.

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Chapter 4

"When are you going to release him?" he demanded, tone disturbingly low.

It was past midnight, and the sky was awfully dark. Two men were conversing secretly in an abandoned hut, and even though they could not see each other, they were very much aware of their companion's ki.

"When I get what I want." The other one replied, smirking.

"I've been doing your filthy work for over three years. You've got what you wanted." He spat, growling.

"Not exactly."

"Then what the hell do you want?" He snarled nastily. His patience was wearing thin, and this bastard had him wrapped around his fat, scrawny finger for such a long time. Using him whenever he pleased, as if he was some kind of an instrument; some kind of a doll.

There was a silence, when none said a word. Then –"It was my first intention from the very beginning to take over the land." He started, then pausing. "I want his kingdom."

His eyes widened in surprise. But as quickly as it came, it disappeared.

"And you, you would be the one who would get it for me."

Silence.

"I will not allow myself to be a part of this." He said angrily, making himself clear. The other man, on the other hand, smiled wickedly. Even though his "accomplice" had protested, inwardly both of them knew that he had no choice but to follow his orders.

"You are already a part of this. There's no way to turn it around."

He remained silent.

Taking it as an opportunity to continue, he persisted –"Remember, you cannot disobey me. You know what would happen, if you do."

Quietly he looked down, fury building inside him. His eyes reflected cold, hard steel in the midst of the night. He felt so useless, and yet ironically, he was anything but. Just hearing those words coming out from him, an acting puppeteer, was venom. It burned him inside, burned him deeply.

Closing his eyes, he silently replied -"I understand."

He was just not allowed to disobey.

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"Happy birthday!" he greeted happily as he handed her a box. It was wrapped with colourful paper, with ribbons and shiny things sticking out from the surface. It seemed that he had wrapped the gift as if his life had depended on it, with an effort to make it look pretty.

But it looked crappy.

It was her tenth birthday, and since this was her first time turning two-digits, he wanted everything to be extra special. So he bought her a gift using his own money, as well as wrapping the gift himself. He had even spent an hour straining his neck decorating it.

Nevertheless above it all, she thought it looked perfect, much to his satisfaction. Grinning at him, she casually took it from his hands and fiddled with the ribbons, pretending to admire his workmanship. He stood there next to her, anxiously waiting for her to open his present.

He hoped she liked it.

Slowly, gently, she tore the paper apart; carefully using her fingers to prevent herself from destroying decorative parts of the paper. She wanted to keep it for remembrance, after all.
Finally when she was done with the wrapping paper, a wooden box was sitting at the palm of her hands. She looked up, and she saw him beaming at her, encouraging her to carry on.

She slid the box open, and her eyes widened at what she saw.

Shells. Small and medium-sized seashells of different kinds, each colourful and unique in its own way. Every single one was cleaned and polished, every single one beautiful. She was about to thank him, when a slim leather string that was poking out from the sea of shells caught her eye. Pulling it out curiously, she then realized that it hung five silver beads. Each bead had her alphabet neatly carved; spelling out her name.

It was simple, yet so lovely. She was wordless, since no one had ever given her a necklace before, not even her parents. It was, very appealing in her eyes. She glanced at him, and to her amazement he still had that nervous look on his face.

"So? D-Do you like it?" He asked excitedly, yet there was a tint of anxiety in his voice.

"I… Honestly, I… I don't like it." She said quietly, face downcast as she played with the necklace.

His face fell almost immediately when the words left her mouth, disappointment evident on his face. But before he could open his mouth to ask her why, she cut in-

"That's because I absolutely love it." She said gleefully, giving him a big hug. A few seconds passed and she heard him sigh heavily in relief.

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Four weeks have passed, and there were just four more to go. She was in front of her father's grave, sighing contently as she fiddled with her silver-beaded necklace. Feeling the stony texture of his engraved name on her fingers, she sighed even more.

"I'm getting married in a month's time, papa. I… I wish you were here." She spoke quietly. She was happy and contented with everything now, but she knew she shouldn't be, she thought guiltily. Wasn't she still supposed to be mourning for her father's death?

'No. I've cried enough. It's time to carry on.' A voice said firmly.

Yes, it was time to carry on. But she would still find his murderer, even if it costs her whole lifetime searching for him. However, she was sure deep down that the killer was not Kenshin, even though the "evidence" proved so.

So what was this small doubt that keeps tugging at the edge her heart, telling her that something was wrong?

She tried ignoring it, but couldn't seem to get rid of it.

"I miss you so much papa, you'll never know. If… If only you were here so that I could ask you what I were to do now, to fulfill my duty as a daughter."

She flinched when she suddenly felt a pair of strong arms circling around her waist, as a deep voice whispered in her ear –"He would have wanted you to be happy and move on, Koii."

She smiled as she touched the pair of warm hands, brain instantly recognizing the voice.

"And that would only come to pass with you by my side," She murmured, as she felt his grip grow more firm. A minute went by, as the both of them stayed in that position, treasuring the moment.

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"KYAAAAAAA!" She yelled as she ran forward, swinging her bokken onto his own with full force. The sound of two wooden sticks clashing echoed through the room, as he blocked it gracefully. Pulling back, she readied herself to attack him again.

They were sparing in one of the training rooms for about thirty minutes now. He had suggested it while they were having lunch earlier, with the excuse of -"Let's see if you have improved since the last time I sparred with you." Which was approximately four years ago, she thought dully.

But being the skilled swordsman that he was, he had effortlessly prevented all the strikes she sent him, as well as giving her an amused smile now and then, in which, she returned with glaring eyes.

She was clearly on the offense, while he was on defense.

"You're mocking me." She noted, as he blocked another one of her hits.

"How so?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. She tried striking him from below as he answered, but his eyes have been observing enough to predict her next move. He easily avoided it, by moving his leg to the right.

"See?" she pointed out darkly.

He laughed as he ducked his head, preventing her from disjointing his head off his neck. Seeing that she didn't even have the slightest chance of whacking him (as well as getting his stupid smile off his face), she stopped charging at him, as she stood puffing. He grinned at her, as she smiled back sarcastically, -which was immediately washed away into a frown. She breathed loudly as she fell to the ground in exhaustion, closing her eyes.

"I give up."

"Oh?" He asked, acting as if he was in disbelief.

"Obviously I have no match against the great Battousai." She replied without thinking.

He winced at that nickname, but she didn't see it since her eyes were kept closed. He towered over her, resting his hand on the standing position that his bokken was in. After a while, she opened her eyes, only to see his golden brown eyes starring back at her. She was surprised, but when she was about to say something, he cut her off.

"Anyone, anyone, can call me by that name, but you, cannot." He stated gravely, as he pulled her up, letting go of his bokken.

She looked at him questionably, smacking his hands away. "And why not?"

"Because," he replied while tugging her close, resting his forehead on hers. "I hate that name."

She gazed into his eyes, as she whispered softly, "There is no reason to hate it."

There was a pause.

"I have every reason in the world to despise it."

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She was taking a nice, relaxing bath, as she cleaned herself from head to toe. Sinking herself back into the tub filled with lukewarm water, she let her thoughts wonder back. Her head was filled with a new set of questions, which were left unanswered, much to her displeasure.

'Why does he hate that name so much?'

He had instantly dropped the subject before she could ask, as he told her to wash herself up, not before teasing her that she smelled like cow.

'But he did create that name himself, didn't he?'

According to some telltales in the palace, he had earned that title for his flawless style of the Battoujitsu. She haven't had the chance to witness his skill take place before, but apparently the ones who have seen it, didn't live to tell it.

She shuddered at that information, as she heard a voice calling out, interrupting her train of thoughts.

"Are you done yet?"

"Aa."

Sayo came in, as she slowly got up. Her back was facing her friend, as Sayo wrapped a fluffy towel around her wet body. Turning around, she gave a smile while Sayo helped her out of the tub.

"So, how was your sparring time with Kenshin?" Sayo asked, sitting herself down on the princess's bed. Waiting for an answer while Kaoru dressed herself behind the screen, she straightened wrinkled parts of her blouse.

After a few moments, Kaoru appeared fully clothed, wiping her hair dry with a towel.

"It was… interesting." She answered, as she starred at her reflection in the long, slim mirror, continuing her task with drying her damp hair.

"Interesting?"

"There was nothing to expect, really. I mean, he is a legendary..." she replied, but paused momentarily as she continued, "-… manslayer after all, isn't he?"

Silence.

"I guess you're right. But I've a feeling something happened, so dear princess, prove me wrong."

Kaoru grinned, as she settled herself on her bed, next to Sayo. "Well, darling servant, you're right."

"He told me that I wasn't allowed to call him 'Battousai', when it slipped out from my mouth."

She frowned at that memory. "I wonder why."

"I'm surprised you didn't ask why."

Smiling, she replied -"I know he wouldn't have answered if I did ask him. Anyway, he left the topic hanging, as he changed it abruptly. I didn't want to push it."

Mouthing an "o", Sayo responded as she held the princess's hand, -"Don't worry Kao. I'm sure as time comes, the questions would answer by itself."

Sparing her a sly grin, Kaoru switched the subject. "So, how's dear Sanosuke?"

Sayo's face immediately twitched, as she exhaled heavily, indirectly illustrating her frustration as well as a motion to release some tension.

Kaoru laughed. "I see. What did he do this time?"

It seems that Sanosuke was a "friend" Kenshin had brought along. After that fascinating encounter Sayo had with him, she had been complaining about him as if he was everything that happens in her day.
Kenshin had introduced Kaoru to Sano the following day, right after Sayo had told Kaoru about her meeting with an insignificant idiot.

And unfortunately (in her point of view), she had been with Kaoru when the introductions were made.

When Sanosuke recognized Sayo, his face had instantly lit up, as he waved comically at her. She all but scowled back in reply.
Ever since that day, many attempts were made to make her date him. And surely, as predicted, none of them succeeded.

"He baked me a pie."

Kaoru straight away turned her head to face her, a look of amusement painted all over her face.

"And there was a piece of paper inside, a 'giant replica of a fortune cookie', he told me, when I chewed on that nasty, nasty thing," She said, making a face.

"I can still taste that heavily inked paper in my mouth."

After a few seconds of unusual calmness, Kaoru broke into a hysteric bag of giggles, after some difficult struggling to hold it in. "So, what did that 'fortune paper' say?" she asked in between her fits of giggling.

"Go out with the intelligently tall, dark and handsome, as well as the sexy and uncanny Sanosuke Sagara, and you'll never live to regret it."

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AN: Sigh. I hate my grammatical errors. It's very frustrating :. Anyway, kindly leave me review if you read this chapter, because I really need some opinions on what you thought about it!