`Hey! This is my second story. My first one, Thieves of Darkness, is still being worked on. Check it out if you haven't yet! This idea just came to me one day out of the blue. Hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I don't own RK

In Times of War and Peace

Summary: The world is controlled by four very different kings, each eager for the others dead. In these time, war is very common. In order to form an alliance, the two sides must offer each other some type of item as a promise to be loyal. When the stakes are high, is one man willing to temporarily give his daughter as this item to keep peace? And what happens when the one taking her is none other than the Battosai, Prince of Edo? K/K(B)

Chapter 1: Business arrangements

Business. That's all Kenshin Himura was there for. As Prince of Edo, the king had assigned him to come and form the trust between the two kingdoms. War. That's all that ever happened in this world. And he was sick of it. And why did he have to be the one sent to Mizu Castle? Why couldn't the High Lord have gone? It was the High Lord's job to be the communicator for the king, didn't this qualify as a communication?

"Your Highness", the carriage driver said, causing Kenshin to look up, "We've arrived."

True to it's name, Mizu was indeed a watery place. Two of the four sides of the castle were surrounded by a gorgeous lake. Forests of trees sprung up around the glistening source of life, and flowers bloomed around. It was too cheerful for Kenshin's taste. They gates opened, and the carriage was allowed to enter. Kenshin stepped out of the carriage, only to scare away the servants, who had appeared to see who had arrived. He smirked. Let's just say that Kenshin did not a have a reputation for being nice. In fact, he was quite feared in some cases. As strong fighter, with golden gleaming eyes, people tended to avoid him. IT didn't bother him at all, for he wasn't much of a people person. He began to examine the castle, scanning carefully for anything that looked out of place. A prince could never be too cautious these days.

"I assure you that you will be in no danger on your stay here."

Kenshin turned quickly to find himself facing a tall man, with ice cold eyes.

"Greeting Prince of Edo. I am Aoshi Shinomori, High Lord to the King."

"Greeting", Kenshin replied, studying the man. He seems to be a skilled fighter, Kenshin deducted, as he sensed the man's ki.

"The King is waiting", Aoshi said, motioning for Kenshin to follow, "Let's not keep him waiting."

The two left the inner courtyard, and the hiding servants came out, eagerly whispering amongst themselves.

"So that is the Prince of Edo, the one they call Battosai"

"Why is the prince here?"

"Haven't you heard? He's here to become allies."

"With our King? But why?."

"What do you think they will exchange?"

"Who knows."

"I just hope I don't have to serve that manhe's quite scary"

On the last comment, all the servants there couldn't help but nod their heads. Serving the Battosai would indeed be scary. Who knew what the monster would be like..

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The King of Mizu, Kenji Kamiya sat on his throne, waiting for the Prince of Edo to arrive in the throne room. The King was not too happy about the Prince being there. He knew all about the man, and what he had done. Not to mention that Prince Kenshin was known quite well as a woman hungry man. That was what mainly worried the King. He had the two most beautiful daughters in his kingdom, and some day one his eldest would inherit the throne. No, he did not trust the Prince around his daughters.

"Father, I'm here."

It was Megumi, his eldest. She had the appearance of a fox, and was sly like one too. She had inherited her mother's gorgeous hair, and delicate face. And, she showed a great interest in the medicine field. He wished she did not have to be there, but it was of common courtesy that his heir should be there. Sighing, he wished for the best as he heard the doors open. In walked Aoshi followed by a red haired man with a cross shaped scar. The King stood to greet the man, as did Megumi.

"Welcome to my kingdom Prince of Edo", his voice roared out.

Kenshin bowed, "It is an honor to be here."

He turned and faced Megumi, eyeing the lovely lady, "Might I ask who this is?"

Now Megumi bowed, "I am Princess Megumi, Heir to the Kamiya Line."

Kenshin gave her his infamous smile, known to melt any girl's heart. He'd have to talk to this beauty later. Turing back to the King, he frowned, "I must admit, I hate being the one to do these things, so may we get this over as quickly as possible?"

"Of course", Kenji Kamiya said standing up and beckoning Kenshin to follow, "Come, let us talk over dinner and we'll get this over with."

The two went into a small chamber behind the throne followed by Aoshi, who was there to make sure nothing went wrong. The others in the throne room went on with their normal business, each secretly wondering what would be settled on. Megumi decided to talk a walk in her private garden, she needed some fresh air. Later she would see her sister whenever she got back.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

They had been in there for three hours. The servants were beginning to wonder if they would ever settle on something, when the door opened up, and the three men stepped out.

"Yes, 100 of your finest men seem fair", Kamiya said to Kenshin as the exited the room, "Have you decided what you wanted yet?"

"No, I'm not sure yet", Kenshin said, shaking his head, "Might I think about it overnight?"

"Of course. Take all the time you need. Neither kingdom is in that much of a hurry."

Nodding in thanks, Kenshin was shown to his servant, who then escorted him to his bed chamber.

"If you need anything Your Highness, just sound the bell", the servant said before exiting.

Kenshin looked around the room to find it quite to his liking. The bed was made form a wooden frame, and was quite comfortable. The room was decorated in the color of royal blue, and a few seals hung from the wall. Looking out the window, he decided a stroll on whatever garden below would be good, on the account of being stuffed from the meal he had just eaten. Glancing at the sky, and seeing the moon and it's position, he deducted it to be around 7 PM. Figuring he could find his way down there by himself, Kenshin quietly left the room, not wanting to wake anybody who had retired to bed early.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Hey! Don't run in the hall!" a male voice whispered loudly down the corridor, "People may already be asleep!"

A giggle was all he got in reply form the female running ahead of him. He began to run faster, trying to catch her and slow her down, but she turned the corner too quickly. WHAM! A sound echoed through the hall.

"Shit."

The man quickly turned the corner to find out who she had run in to, muttering along the way, "See Jou-chan. I told you not to go running through the halls. Didn't I tell you that you'd run into somebody?"

He picked the girl up on her feet, and them waited for her remark to come.

"No Sano, you told me I'd wake somebody up", she replied sticking her tongue out at him.

"Why you little-"

"A little help here please."

The two looked down to where the voice had come from. A red haired man sat on the ground, rubbing his head.

"Oh.sorry about that", the girl said apologetically.

"Here", Sano said, giving the man a hand, "Wait, you're the Pri-"

"Kenshin, Prince of Edo? Yes", the man replied, "And who might you be?"

Kenshin heard the man gulp, and saw him stiffen for a moment.

"I'm Sanosuke Sagara, this little girl's guard."

"Little girl! Why you're going to get it later Sano!" she yelled at him, but then quickly turned to greet the Prince, "I'm Kaoru", she said, giving him a little smile.

Kenshin could only nod as he saw he eyes. Her deep pools of blue were all he could focus on. They seemed to pull him in. They were lovely, and so full of emotions, easily readable.

A noise in the corridor broke Kenshin's starring, and all three turned to see King Kamiya there himself.

"What, might I ask is going on?" he asked, "Kaoru! What are you doing out this late? I thought you retired to your bed chamber for rest!"

Kenshin watched closely with interest as the girl hid behind her body guard.

"Kaoru answer me"

"Sorry father", Kaoru said meekly, bowing her head, "I only wanted to visit the garden. I guess it is too late at night to be doing such things though."

"Father?" Kenshin asked as he looked between the King and Kaoru.

"Yes Himura-san. Kaoru is my other daughter."

"Then why was she not there earlier?" Kenshin asked nosily, "Were you hiding her for some reason?"

"Don't be ridiculous!" Kaoru yelled, "Why would I be so cowardly? If you must know, I was in a nearby town visiting a dear friend. I just got back about an hour ago."

"Oh."

"Well, "The king interjected, "I suggest we all return to our chambers."

They all agreed, saying goodnight and heading their separate ways. Kenshin was deep in thought the rest of the way back, and by the time he slipped into bed, his eyes had turned golden. He knew what he wanted from Kamiya in exchange for the alliance. His daughter Kaoru. And he would get her no matter what.

Mizu = water

Sora = sky

Kurai = dark

Well, that's the beginning of this story. Let me know if you like it. If you do, I'll continue it, if not then I won't. Thanks. Oh, and don't forget to check out Thieves of Darkness!

-Les723