Disclaimer: Rurouni Kenshin is not mine… yet. I'm wondering when he'll give it to me, you know. Hehehe…
Chapter 1: The Prince
Kamiya Kaoru was mad. RAGING mad. "ONII-SAN!" she shrieked, making all the people in the castle wince.
Her tall brother, the king of the Kasshin Kingdom, materialized out of thin ear, a playful grin in his handsome features. "Well, well… what's got my little sister in this fit?"
She all but sneered, jabbing a finger towards the direction of the Royal Hall. "As if you don't know! Who are those- those MEN waiting in our living room asking for my hand!"
He smiled innocently, but she wasn't fooled for one second. "Oh? They're your suitors, of course. Have you already chosen your husband?"
"H-HUSBAND!" she sputtered. "WHAT ON EARTH WERE YOU THINKING!"
Sanosuke Sagara Kamiya shrugged, ignoring the way his sister's hands flexed involuntarily. "I just want to get you see settled before I die. No harm in that," he said solemnly.
She resisted the urge to scream profanities at her brother. He IS the king, after all. Instead, she glared at all the noblemen who were watching them in fascination. What are we? Some kind of show? They quickly evaporated from the scene. "Onii-san," she started, her temper flaring. "You are only 26 years old. You are young and you have a prospering kingdom in your hands." She took a deep breath. "YOU ARE FAR FROM DYING, YOU BAKA TORI-ATAMA!"
He chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. But I'm getting old and you- you're 23 already! You should be having your third child right now!"
The tight hold she had on her temper snapped like a dry twig. "I will marry who I want, Sanosuke, and I don't care if I become an old maid just waiting!"
The king looked slightly taken aback at her outburst. Suddenly, he smiled- a warm affectionate smile that he only reserved for two people- Kaoru and their cousin, Misao. "I know, Kaoru. I just want to see you happy…"
Her anger dissipated at this statement. Sighing, she wrapped her arms around him in a hug. "I AM happy, onii-san. Sorry for shouting at you."
Grinning childishly, he patted her head. "Che! It's my fault anyway. Could you just look at them? Just for a second?" he pleaded, brown puppy dog eyes gazing into hers.
"Mou… I am TOO soft…" she muttered. "Fine. Just a second."
He smirked. "I am sure you will like one of them, sis. Dead sure."
Kaoru scowled inwardly, putting her arms across her chest. The bunch of fools her brother called suitors were really well, fools! Either they want her for the money, the fame, or her body. As if. One of them, a brainless prince who had come from a nearby kingdom was currently describing his father's palace. She gritted her teeth when he found another way to touch her.
This prince, Tama Hiroki, grinned, his eyes lighting with lust. "Princess Kaoru, it will do me a great honor if you agree on becoming my-" The sound of a trumpet interrupted his speech, and Kaoru was eternally grateful for the distraction. She was about to punch the man if left talking with him for a few more seconds. "The Prince of Hiten Mitsurugi."
She gasped softly when she found herself staring at the most handsome man she has ever laid eyes on. He has crimson hair, tied high on his head- as samurais do. The strands shone like liquid flame in the sunlight, and her fingers itched to bury themselves in his red locks. His eyes were the most beautiful shade of amber, darker than any night she has ever seen. A cross-shaped scar marred his handsome- almost feminine- features. For a fleeting moment, she wondered where he had got it, but the feeling quickly vanished when he looked at her. A smirk tugged at his lips, and she felt an unknown feeling sweep over her in seeing him smile. Oh god, he's gorgeous...
He suddenly turned, and bowed. She was surprised when another man came into view. Tall and handsome, with the coldest blue eyes. The stranger walked over to her, stiffly took her shaking hand in his, then gave her knuckles a light kiss. "Princess."
"Y-you're the prince of Hiten Mitsurugi?" she stuttered, discreetly looking past him to see the redheaded man standing at the door, the same smirk on his lips.
"Shinomori Aoshi, at your service."
The trumpet blew again. "The Princess of-" The door burst open.
Unexpectedly, her best friend and cousin, Makimachi Misao, bounded towards her, practically oozing genkiness. "KAO-CHAN!" Misao shouted happily, tackling her friend in a bone-crushing hug. "I am SO glad to see you again! It's been like ages!"
Kaoru smiled. "Hello to you too, Misao-chan." Her friend obviously didn't notice that there were a lot of princes around her- or she just didn't care. "I agree. A month is too long. You're looking great."
Misao laughed, twirling and bouncing around, her long braid whipping around her. "Thanks, Kao-chan!" She began prancing around, until she bumped into Aoshi. "Oops!" She looked up at him, grinning. "Ah! And who might you be?" she asked, winking suggestively at Kaoru.
Oh please. Kaoru rolled her eyes, mock-glaring at her friend. As soon as Misao had looked away, her glare had vanished quickly, as her gaze shifted to the redhead. She started when she caught him looking at her, intense amber eyes boring in her blue ones. She felt a delightful shiver run down her spine. Nodding slightly at him, she turned her attention back to the prince and Misao, yet her senses were attuned to every move the handsome stranger made. "Misao-chan," she said coolly. " This is Prince Aoshi of the kingdom of Hiten Mitsurugi. Prince Aoshi, this is my cousin, Princess Makimachi Misao of the Oniwabanshuu kingdom."
At the mention of the famous ninja kingdom, the cold prince raised an eyebrow slightly, as if he was familiar with the name. However, formality kicked in, and he bowed gracefully, taking Misao's hand as well, placing a kiss on it. Kaoru's mouth suddenly dropped. Was it just her imagination or Aoshi did linger in holding Misao's hand? And why on earth was Misao blushing?
"Well, that went very... nice." She smiled sweetly at all her other suitors. "Thank you for coming. But as you already know, I have no intention in marrying any of you. This was merely a plan of the king to get me settled." She stood up and gave them an elegant curtsy. "But it was nice meeting you all. Arigato gozaimasu."
Some of the men smiled back in return- though a little bit rueful- and they left promptly after saying their goodbyes. Tama Hiroki's brown eyes darkened, but he said his farewell quite cordially. On his way out, he bumped into the redhead. "Hey! What's up with you!"
Kaoru frowned, purposely ignoring the way Misao stared at her pointedly. It was obvious it was Tama's fault. The redhead was merely standing by the door and he hadn't move an inch since Aoshi entered. I should know... "Hiroki-san-"
For a moment, she saw amber eyes lock with hers, then shift to Aoshi's. The tall man nodded almost imperceptibly. In an instant, the redhead had bowed, his back bent to the waist. "Forgive me, Your Highness."
Tama sneered.
She gasped when he punched the guard's face. "Hiroki-san!"
"Himura." Aoshi said quietly. "No."
The redhead, Kaoru realized his name was Himura, stood up again coolly, then bowed again. She suddenly realized the lethal and catlike grace Himura possessed. "Forgive me, Your Highness." he repeated, though Kaoru could sense the slight hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Apparently, Tama did as well. Snarling, he punched Himura again. This time, the guard took a step back, and Tama smiled evilly in satisfaction. He was about to deliver another blow when-
SLAP!
She was there. Kaoru's eyes were blazing. "I will not tolerate this- this display of arrogance you have just shown, Hiroki-san! You do not have the right to hurt Prince Shinomori's escort!"
"Princess-"
"Fortunately for you, I am wearing a kimono instead of my training gi and I do not have a weapon by my side!" she said coldly, glaring daggers at the man. "In case you haven't noticed, this is my family's kingdom and you- you-" She clenched her fists in anger. How dare he! Hurting a man who will obviously not fight back!
Out of the blue, she heard a deep husky laugh from behind her. Turning around, she was shocked to bump into a hard muscled chest. "Thank you, Your Highness." An arm snaked around her waist, holding her still form against his.
A giggle rose from Misao's throat, and Kaoru was surprised to see Aoshi's eyes twinkling- a little bit- with amusement. With sudden shocking clarity, she grasped the idea that they quite made a picture. She, a princess, in the arms of a guard, and Tama Hiroki, a prince, in front of them with a hand on his face.
"Y-you're welcome..." She smacked herself inwardly. Did that breathy voice just come from her?
Aoshi walked over to Tama, then gave him a blow that sent him sprawling across the floor.
The two princesses gaped.
The guard holding Kaoru grinned slightly. "Thank you, prince Aoshi."
A shrug.
Misao clutched her stomach, doubling over in laughter in seeing the nonchalant look on Aoshi's face. "T-that w-was priceless!" she wheezed.
A small smile tugged at Kaoru's lips. "Misao..."
"And you, my princess..." a quiet voice murmured in her ear. "Again, thank you..."
She blushed at the sound of his voice. "I told you... it was no problem. I would have done the same to any man who was hurt..."
He chuckled, and she decided she'd love to hear his laugh everyday. "I would have done the same for you, your Highness... and a whole lot more..."
"Um, Kaoru?"
She looked blankly at Misao. "Doushite?"
"Could you let go of the poor man now?"
She gasped, realizing she was the one who was holding him- not the other way round. "G-gomen!"
"It's ok. It's the first time I've ever seen you flirt with a guy before anyway." Misao said casually.
The redhead coughed to hide his laugh.
Kaoru blushed to the roots of her raven hair. "MISAO!" She was actually horrified when she saw her friend eyeing the guard. "W-what are you doing!"
"Nice hair you've got there, by the way. No wonder Kao wants to touch it..." the petite woman commented. "What's your name again?"
The redhead bowed. "Himura Kenshin, Your Highness."
Kenshin. Heart of sword. Beautiful name.
The three looked at Kaoru suddenly. "Did I say that out loud?" she stammered. "Sorry."
An impish grin adorned Kenshin's- he has a name now- features. "Thank you, princess Kaoru."
Misao frowned. "You're small." She glanced at Aoshi's towering height, then back at Kenshin. She shrugged. "You're taller than Kaoru anyway."
Kenshin smiled. "Forgive me for my impudence, Your Highness, but can I ask you a question?"
She grinned. "Of course."
"Are you always this blunt?"
Kaoru's jaw dropped, while Aoshi merely raised an eyebrow.
Misao's ticking... five, four, three, two-
The green-eyed beauty nodded cheerfully. "Yup. Always."
Kenshin nodded. "Aa..."
Misao bounced over to Kaoru, patting her friend's shoulder. "I think you should drag him to the nearest temple and marry him." she said frankly.
"MISAO!" she all but hissed. She took no notice of the way Kenshin's amber eyes darkened, his lips curving into a sensual smirk. Ok, well, maybe, she did peek a little...
"You're not here to marry Kao, aren't you, Shinomori-san?"
"No."
Kaoru had the distinct impression that Misao and Aoshi were meant for each other if she could read his mind like that. "No?"
"No."
Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. "You're joking, right?"
"No."
"No?"
"No."
"Then... why?"
Misao shook her head, perching on Kaoru's previous chair. "That I do not know myself..." She motioned everybody to sit down, even Kenshin. The Kasshin princess was inwardly pleased to see the redhead sitting only inches away from her.
The king barged into the room, seemingly pleased with himself. "So, Kaoru, have you-" He stopped in seeing two strangers with his sister and her friend. "Uh, who are you?"
Aoshi and Kenshin stood up dispassionately, bowing in greeting. "King Sagara." Aoshi said.
Kaoru frowned. "Onii-san, these are your assigned 'suitors.' I can't believe you can't even recognize them."
Sanosuke eyed them strangely. "I don't. I didn't ask them to court you."
"We have heard that Princess Kamiya was taking in suitors so we decided to drop by." Aoshi replied.
"Oh. Well..." Sano sat beside Misao. "Who's courting my sister?"
Nobody moved for a second. Then...
"Our king."
a/n: so... did any of you like that? this was a spur-of-the-moment thingy and i kinda like the idea of aoshi courting kaoru or something like that... anyway, this is PURELY a KK fic so no need to worry all the fans out there... this is my second fic, by the way...
'Forever With You' will be updated in the next few decades coz i'm having a real hard time continuing the story. Call it writer's block or something... plus, i want reviews! (sobs) i feel so alone!
(grins) anyway, if you like this story, pls press the little button down there reading 'GO'... if you don't like the story, still press 'GO' and try to put in some good words for me, ok? thanks! if you don't read this, well, i dunno... just press 'GO' ok? mou...
READ and REVIEW! No flames! (Have mercy... we have feelings you know! c; )
Arigato gozaimasu! Ja!