Alright! Here's the fourth chapter! Sorry to leave you hanging like thatmy bad What can I say? I'm cruelnot really. I should be working on my other RK fic right now. I haven't updated that one in a while. I'm really into this one right now thoughit's next on my list though. Anyway, on with the story.

Disclaimer: Don't own RK.

"Speech"

'thought'

Chapter 4: Sign on the Dotted Line

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PREVIOUSLY

Kenshin wasted no time. As soon as Kaoru had sat down, he asked the question, "So Princess, what is your decision?"

Nobody moved or made a sound as Kaoru meet Kenshin's eyes. Her mouth opened and everybody waited for the words to come out, "Yes." (AN: Did you honestly expect her to say No? I didn't think so)

Yes. A small word with much larger meaning. A meaning that would affect the entire kingdom whether they knew it or not.

Kaoru sat on her bed at the present moment contemplating what she had done.

"The word, it just slipped out" she mumbled to no one.

Had she really meant what she said? Kaoru wasn't sure. How could she have just answered without any thought? On such an important topic too.

Now a different road lay in front of her. A different path that had mysteriously appeared. It was an unclear path, lost in the fog and most likely full of sharp turns and mountains. And she, Kaoru had to take it head on, no matter where it led. At least she could take comfort in knowing she would not be alone. Misao and Sano would be at her side. What lay at the end of the path, she didn't know. Whatever it was though, Kaoru would face it head on.

"Why did I say yes?" she asked herself, "I really don't know"

Of course she knew though. She was doing it for family. For her kingdom. At least that's what Kaoru told herself. She yawned, tired from today's events. Slowly, her eyelids began to droop, and she found herself succumb to a deep sleep.

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Kamiya slowly made his way to his daughter's room. He was concerned about Kaoru. She had remained silent the rest of the dinner, and had proceeded straight to her room afterward. He only hoped she hadn't felt obligated to say yes. 'That was not my intention.'

He arrived at her door, knocking lightly. There was no answer. He paused for a moment before creaking the door open. There was Kaoru, asleep on her bed. Kamiya smiled. She looked like a little angel. Carefully, he managed to cover he with the sheets without waking her from her slumber. Placing a kiss on her head, he quietly exited her room, "Goodnight my Princess."

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Megumi was also in her room, but unlike Kaoru, she was unable to sleep. Her thoughts were full of questions. What had Kaoru been thinking? Why did she say yes? Did she realize what she was doing? Megumi shook her head. Right now was not the time to worry about things like this. She could easily discuss the questions with Kaoru in the morning. Sighing, she got off her bed and headed for the door. She needed some air, and taking a walk sounded good. She took a left, heading north for a small garden, but stopped. 'I need to go somewhere more private.' Megumi changed direction, heading south to reach a garden that barely anybody knew about. The entrance to the garden was easy to miss, and Megumi had only discovered it two years ago. It was her garden. The plants had been overgrown at first, but it was nothing Megumi couldn't handle. She had recreated the garden, and in her opinion, it was the prettiest one in the castle. She entered it, heading for the two person stone bench on the left, where she sat. Megumi was lost in thought once more.

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Misao had been walking around the palace for nearly an hour, mainly in search of her Aoshi-sama, when she spotted Megumi walking down the hall. Curiosity got the best of her, and she gave up her Aoshi search, opting to instead follow her friend. Megumi began taking off toward a less used part of the castle, and Misao still followed. 'Where is she going?' Megumi turned the corner sharply, anddisappeared? 'Huh?' Misao was now confused. She had just seen her turn the corner, so where had she gone? There were no intercrossing hallways or doors near this end. 'Just one path.' Misao frowned. There had to be an explanation. 'We're in a castle. There must be some secret passage. All I need to do is spot it.' Studying the walls, Misao looked for anything that could hide a passage. Nothing. 'But there must be something here' And then she spotted it. A slim doorway, hidden in the shadows. Unnoticeable to anybody unless they were searching for the room, and even then it was hard to spot. 'I wonder what's in there?' Quietly Misao stepped through the door, and into'A garden?'.

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Megumi sensed a presence, and opened her eyes to find Misao.

"How did you-"

"I followed you here," Misao stated, "It took me a while to find the door though."

Megumi smiled, patting the spot next to her, "Have a seat."

Misao did so, and the two sat in silence before one spoke.

"Megumi?"
"Yes?"

"Why do you think she said yes?"

"Kaoru? I don't know. Half the time I don't understand her" Megumi said sadly, "I'm sure she had her reasons. I just wish I knew what they were"

"Me too," Misao whispered back, "I expected her to say no."

Megumi silently agreed, "Do you know where Kaoru is?"

Misao nodded, "Asleep. The King told me so when I saw him in the hallway."

"Why were you out so late?"

Misao turned a bit pink, "I was looking for Aoshi"

Megumi laughed, "Why did I even ask?"

"You got me!"

Megumi thought for a moment, "Is Sano with Kaoru?"

"No, I think he took off after dinner," Misao said recalling dinner, "Maybe he want for a walk."

Both girls tried to picture Sano strolling down a flower-covered path, happily humming a song. This resulted in a fit of laughter.

"Yeah right!" Megumi said in between laughs, "He's probably gambling and drinking at a bar!"

"You're rightSano taking a walk? What was I thinking?"
Misao yawned, which caused Megumi to do the same. (AN: Yawns are so contagiousyou know what I mean?)

"Maybe it's time we retired to our rooms" Megumi suggested.

Misao looked at her funny, "Can't you just say go to sleep? You sound so fancy"

Megumi smirked, "Well maybe I want to"

She got up without waiting for Misao's reply. The shorter girl followed quietly, not wanting to wake anybody up. They reached the hallway, and split up, each headed for their own room.

"Goodnight Misao."

"Night Megumi."

This time, Megumi fell asleep without any troubles.

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He was half way home, and if he wanted to make it back by dawn he could not stop. Picking up the pace, Kenshin sped towards Edo, good news along with him. A compromise had been made. He just wasn't sure if his father would like it. 'Too bad. He shouldn't have sent me in the first place.'

The Prince of Edo's thoughts drifted toward the Princess, Kaoru. Soon she would be returning back to his castle, where he could keep an eye on the lovely beauty. Who knew what would come of it. Only time would tell

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Sano stepped back into the castle, eager for some sleep. It had been a long day. By now, he guessed Kaoru was asleep. He would just have to talk to her tomorrow then. Entering his room, he got into bed.

'That was a nice walk'

And that's chapter four! I just had to put something about Sano in there, even though it wasn't that greatSorry that nothing really happened in this chapter. I'm also sorry if my little remarks in the chapter bothered you. At least you finally got to see Kaoru's response. I was tempted to make her say no, but then it would have ruined the storyShe'll be happy that Kenshin is back at his own castle for a time being thoughand we'll find out what Kenshin's dad thinks of all thisThat and much more in chapter 5when I figure out what much more is.just kidding..maybe.Let me know what you think!

-Les723