Disclaimer: Don't own RK.

Chapter 2: Terms

Kaoru sat there on the bed, silently fuming. Her plans for that evening had been ruined, and all because of that stupid jerk! How dare he run into her! So he was the Prince of Edo, she didn't care. It made no difference to her. The sooner he left, the better.
"Still mad Jou-chan?" Sanosuke's voice rang out, interrupting her train of thought.
"Yes." Silence.
"Oh come on now," he said, gently pushing her shoulder, "You didn't need to do anything tonight."
"No," Kaoru replied, "But I was planning on meeting Megumi out thereshe's going to wonder what happenedand she may be a bit mad"
"Don't worry about it," Sano said, pulling up the cover, "Come on. You need your beauty sleep, it's getting late."
"Kaoru reluctantly obeyed, pulling up the covers once she had laid down, "Yes mother"
"That's a good girl," he replied, patting Kaoru's head, and then kissing her forehead.
Kaoru swatted Sano away, "Sano! Knock it off! I'm not in the mood for this tonight!"
"I can see that ," Sano mumbled on the way to his room, which connected to the Princess's by a door.
"I heard that!"
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Kenshin had slept peacefully last night, his thoughts drifting towards the girl he planned to have. All he had to do now was play his cards right and she would be his. Speaking of the girl, Kenshin found it odd that he existence was never mentioned. Funny that King Kamiya would have two daughters but never mention the younger one. Usually they were the ones married off to some snobby, rich man in attempt to bring in more money for the family. On more than one occasion, they would end up the bride of some old rich fool on his deathbed. That way, when he died, which wasn't that much later, the "widow" would return home to her parents, bearing new wealth. If the girl was lucky and truly beautiful, a wedding to a single elderly king or nobleman could take place. Upon his death, the girl would also return home, but along with the money would come whatever title her husband had held. Indeed, that was what the other children, mostly girls, were for though. So why, Kenshin pondered, did Kamiya keep his other daughter out of the spotlight? There seemed to be no reasonable cause. He would just have to find out. Putting on one of his finer outfits, Kenshin made his way to breakfast, guided by a servant.
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Megumi waited patiently in the hallway outside of her sister's room, playing with the ring on her finger. This ring was very important, worth as much as her life was. It was her proof. The proof that she ws indeed the heir to the throne. Funny how a golden ring, with a large sapphire in it's center and engraved on both sides, was as valuable as life. It was true however. Looking on one side of the ring, you would find the Kamiya crest, an elegant K, with roses entwined around it. On the other side was a simple picture of a crown. Around the inside of the ring was said to be the family motto, elegantly carved. The motto, however, remained a secret, as the ring was rarely seen by the public. At one time people knew of this motto, but it became more of a whisper as years passed. The ancient ring's motto was soon lost among the peasants, and only the royal family themselves knew it and it's meaning. This ring was passed down generation to generation, heir to heir. Megumi was lucky that the ring was just a little big around her thumb. Most of the time the ring was either too big for the women and too small for the men. These heirs were forced to wear the ring around their necks from a golden chain.
"Good morning Princess."
Megumi wa snapped out of whatever thoughts she was having, turning to the owner of the voice, "Good morning Prince, you startled me."
He laughed lightly, "Sorry about that. Might I ask what you are waiting in the hall for?"
'Nosy man.' She smiled, "I am just waiting for my dear sister so that we may converse for a few moments before ws head to the Great Hall for breakfast."
"I see," was his reply. He bowed to her before allowing the servant to show him the way, "I shall see you shortly Princess."
And then he was gone. Megumi glanced down the hallway to make sure no one was coming from either way. Then she began to pound at the door, shouting at Kaoru. In a minute, the door opened and she was greeted by Sanosuke.
"Kaoru is still getting ready Kitsune."
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Kaoru had just enough time to pull on the pink dress before she heard Megumi attack Sano. 'Must have called her Kitsune again.' Kaoru couldn't help but laugh. If only people could see Megumi now. Megumi, who was known to remain calm and dignified at all times. Ha! That was a joke! Megumi had a horrible temper, well not as bad as Kaoru, but she had somehow been able to hide it when in public eye. This eye did not include when in her chambers, or with Kaoru and Sano for that matter. Stepping out into her room, she found Sano with Megumi in a headlock.
"Do I always have to keep an eye on you two. You should both know better, honestly," Kaoru lectured to the two, "I feel like I'm looking after two babies."
This was not the correct thing to say however. No sooner had the words left her mouth, Megumi pounced on her.
"You're one to talk Kaoru. You're always late, and besides, half the time you're fighting with Sano. Sometimes we both fight him together. Drop the act, because you're definitely more immature than me."
Kaoru just nodded. She wasn't in the mood to deal with Megumi, she was still trying to wake up. Satisfied with the answer, or lack of it, Megumi let go of Kaoru, grabbing the girl's brush. Swiftly, she was able to sweep all of Kaoru's hair up into a simple bun. Securing it, she grabbed a pink flower out of a nearby vase and placed it in Kaoru's hair.
"There, all done," Megumi replied placing the brush in it's respected place, "I still think you should get it cut. It's much to long to leave down all the time. If you got it cut to my length you could just brush it and then go."
"Megumi, I like my hair the way it is," Kaoru said before her sister could go on, "Now why don't we go get something to eat. I'm sure father is expecting us"
Agreeing, the three headed toward the Great Hall.
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"How did you sleep last night?"
"Just fine. I forgot I was away from home."
"Glad to hear that."
Kenshin sat, eating a fine meal with the King. His daughters had yet to arrive, so he was forced to make small talk with Kamiya. It didn't bother him though, and he eager awaited when the King would bring up their discussion from the day before. The King suddenly stopped their conversation, adverting his eyes elsewhere.
"Good morning my daughters. How are you today?"
"We're fine father," they both replied, "And you?"
"In a wondrous mood. Now come, have a seat."
Kamiya quickly turned his attention back to Kenshin, "Now where were we?Ah yes"
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The meal was joyous and full of chatter and laughter. The princesses along with Sano had engaged in conversation with High Lord Aoshi and his companion, a lady named Misao, who had just arrived a few days before. Calling her a lady was a bit wrong though, for she possessed the skills of a ninja and was even allowed to fight in battle. She did seem to be quite taken by Aoshi, though he did not seem to return these feelings. Misao was there to aide him in any possible way, sent away by her family who hoped the girl would learn something from the elegant princesses.
Kenshin was still in deep conversation with the King, but did catch bits and pieces of their conversation. The King was beginning to return to the business at hand, and for that Kenshin was grateful. He had never enjoyed being sent to take care of things such as this.
"So Prince, have you decided on what your kingdom will take in exchange for your men?" Kamiya's voice rang out, causing all conversation to stop.
Kenshin smirked, "Indeed I have. To ensure peace between the two land, I request that I take home something of valuesomething like your youngest daughter."
The room was silent and all that could be heard was the clattering sound of a dropped fork. All eyes turned to the source of the noise, Kaoru.
With all eyes on her, Kaoru saw the need to escape, "I am not a possession to be traded or bargained with."
And with that, she stormed out of the Great Hall, her sister and Sano hot on her trails. Misao glanced quickly at Aoshi before following the other two out.
Kenshin turned back to the King, "Will you meet my terms?"

Well, that's the end of chapter 2. It would have been a bit longer, but I split up this chapter. Hopefully I'll have the next part up soon. Sorry if this is a bit short.....
-Les723