Disclaimer : Don't own any Kenshin-realated things, but I dearly wish I did... Will you indulge this baka in reading her story? Arigato!
Hours had passed, and finally Sanosuke could take it no more - neither of the women had awoken yet, and most of his body had fallen asleep under the weight of Megumi and sitting in an uncomfortable position. Sucking in a deep breath, Sanosuke leaned down and gently kissed Megumi - if that didn't wake her up, he was in trouble. Megumi slowly opened her eyes, only to find Sanosuke leaning over her, gently kissing her… Her heart started to pound, and they stared into each other's eye's hopefully… When Karou's father strode angrily down the corridor, having spotted Megumi and Sanosuke locked in a kiss. With his eyes glaring hate at Sano, he grabbed Megumi's long hair and tugged it forcibly, making her gasp in pain as the room spun in front of her. "My lord!" stuttered Megumi, tears forming in her eyes from the pain, and Sanosuke just stared, goggle-eyed at the king whose wrath he had incurred. With a hard hand he forced Megumi to stand beside him, and to Sanosuke he commanded "You - prepare to be beheaded. I will not have any LOW life seducing the women who is to be my queen!" Megumi's eyes widened, and she forced down the gasp that almost escaped - beheaded? "P-please sir, don't behead him - I'll… I'll consider becoming your bride if you just please, spare him…" she finished weakly and out of breath. The king turned to her, his eyes calculating her every move and trying to find her weakness. "My bride eh? You do know that I could just force you, and still kill him - but still, I shall grant your request my pet, on one condition - that you become my wife, with no consideration." argued the king, his voice amused. Defeated, Megumi hung her head, but requested one more thing, knowing that she was pushing her luck by asking "Might I have a bit of time to prepare? Say…. Until the end of Miss Karou's ball? Then I could help her…" and met his eyes, pleading silently. That would give her enough time to either try and escape, or if she had to - kill herself…. If it came to that. The king nodded, then roughly grabbed her and kissed her lips hard , with none of the love and tenderness that Sanosuke's had transmuted. The king then left, dragging Sanosuke back to the kitchens, leaving a very confused and worried Megumi, waiting for Miss Karou to wake up… For she had much to do, for the ball was tomorrow….
Kenshin had long grown used to the rattling of the wagon, and being locked up in the dark - the only thing he couldn't stand was the fear of the unknown - what would happen to them? Total darkness surrounded them - and moans of pain and fear vibrated in the air, making it heavy and tense. Suddenly, the harsh rattling sound stopped and a voice was heard, barking orders. The wagon was open, and harsh, unforgiving light bombarded the farmers, making them cry out in pain. Kenshin shielded his eyes with a hand, the peered about his surroundings. Children played, dogs barked, and women gossiped and talked while they hung up their wash outside. A cold voice was heard saying "Just take 'em to the cells until the ball - but make sure you wash them first!" Strong hands painfully grasped Kenshin's upper arms, and hauled him out of the wagon, when he was doused in freezing water. He sputtered as he was dragged away, which soon turned into shivering as him and his 'guard' progressed down further and further to where the cells were located. He was tossed unceremoniously into the cell, followed by several others, who had received the same treatment. Kenshin quickly checked to see if he had his sabeto, and finding it still attached firmly to his hip sent a wave of relief over him. With a reluctant sigh he scooted over so that he was sitting against the wall, and tried to gain a fitful sleep as others murmured uneasily around him. His last thought was 'Who would ever want me as a husband?' and he closed his eyes and let himself enter the realm of sleep….