ALTERING RULES
By Chiki Yumeshisa

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin…all original ideas/characters are mine to claim. No stealing please.

AN: My GOODNESS I'm late in updating this story, and for that I apologize. BUT! I'd like to thank all those who positively pestered me to post this story again and OMG I think I had a writing spurt, and because of everyone's awesome reviews, the Gremlin of a Writer's block left me alone for this chapter.

And enough with my ramblings THANK YOU EVERYONE! Please enjoy.

Warnings: None.

Chapter 13

- Polite Accusations -

Hiko stared hotly down at Trissen, unable to keep his anger out of his voice. "Why didn't you bother to tell me?" he angrily swept his cloak out of his way and watched as his wife's face went white at his bark.

Her finger came up to twirl at a lock of her hair, nervously. "Your Majesty…"

"Sir Berik was my personal guard!"

"And it was our son he was trying to murder!" She shot back, letting the piece of hair go. "I thought you would see it as I did: the guilty should be hanged!" Her pretty face had gotten pink in the cheeks as she spoke, her green eyes starting to fill with tears.

"It doesn't make sense, my lady." Hiko said, exasperation clearly evident. "You didn't even bother to hold a trial for him! What if that assassin thought of the first man to come to his mind?"

Trissen shook her head. "Men who are desperate cry the names of those they work for." She said darkly. "Your Majesty, what if Sir Berik was going to come after you next? It is good that he is dead now. I made the right decision."

Hiko's hand slapped his throne's armrest angrily. "A decision that was not yours to make!" He growled. "I am the King here, and it is law that any man be given a fair trial!" His chest was heaving as he fought to control himself. "Do you understand!"

Trissen dipped a small curtsy after stifling a sob. "Yes, my king, I do…." She bowed her head as she rose, her satin dress rustling against the marble flooring. "I apologize – I overstepped my boundaries….but…forgive me…."

Hiko's clenched fist relaxed a little, seeing her distress. The golden armrest felt cold to the touch and the weight of his crown felt heavier to wear. He sighed, as he looked up at the stiff throne, standing out like a sore thumb on the marble sweep, a thin green stretch of carpet fell rolled from where the huge chair ended towards the doors.

The place was vast, with huge draperies hanging down to touch the floor of the raised platform. Where the room was usually so crowded with matters to be attended to, the meetings had not yet started as it was too early and thus, they were alone in the vast room.

Hours had passed since Sir Berik's execution. The King's heart was torn – Sir Berik had been his guard since he was but a boy, and the two had been vast friends. Now, he was dead and forever out of his reach. Words could not explain his feeling of loss, and he finally looked back to his wife, who was studying the floor with sudden great interest. "That will be all." He said, finally. "Leave me."

Again, she curtsied, but as she rose to her feet, she looked up. "Your Grace, what would you have done had it been you in my place?"

Hiko grit his teeth against his emotions. "I would have granted the mercy he asked for."

"What if he was at fault?" She demanded, stepping forward. "What if - "

"Enough!" Hiko shouted, his hand coming up as if to ward off her questions. "No more, Trissen! There is no 'what ifs'. He is silenced! Now get out!" The last three words echoed off the white-washed walls, and seemed to strike Trissen hard.

The doors to the throne room opened, and in peeked Sir Cyus. "Your Majesty…I'm sorry, did I interrupt?" He began to back away. "Please excuse me…" He moved to the side as Trissen hurried past him out the door, her hands clutching her skirts as she ran, her head bowed in disgrace.

"Come in, sir." Hiko said, tiredly, as he sat upon the stiff chair.

"Are you all right, Your Majesty?" Sir Cyus ventured to ask while he knelt. "I heard what had happened….and…"

Hiko waved his concern away, shaking his head. "I'm fine. I called you because I hear you let Sir Kenshin out after hearing my explicit orders to keep him inside the castle walls." His dark eyes narrowed, as he waited for the soldier to explain himself.

Uncomfortably, Sir Cyus looked away. "Yes, Your Grace, I did." He confirmed.

The King came to his feet again, rubbing at his temple with one finger circling it. "Will everyone in this wretched palace defy me?"

"He wanted to go help find the Prince of Mintril." Sir Cyus thought to explain. "His Highness is very capable of doing the task, if I may point out, Your Majesty. He knows the terrains and he knows how to organize his men. He promised me that he would not involve himself in the war…"

Hiko's given glare made Sir Cyus' blood run cold. "You swore an oath to me, soldier! I never thought that you would break it so irrationally."

Feeling as though he were made of jelly, Sir Cyus replied, "I plead guilty, my king. I do not deny it….but…"

"It's been hours since they left, so there is nothing I can do about it. What your punishment will be, I have a thought." Hiko told him fiercely. "I cannot have my subjects doing whatever they like and going against my orders. I am sure you understand. If Kenshin comes home wounded, do be sure I will unleash it on you without thinking twice. As for now, you are free to go."

Just as he was getting to his feet, the doors opened, and in walked a man with white hair and silver robes. In his hands he clutched a scroll and he bowed upon entrance. "Your Majesty, I announce Sir Himura Kenshin. He requests and audience with you."

Hiko raised his hand and bid enter. No sooner had he spoken the words, did Kenshin come running in. "Your Majesty, Sir Cyus is not to blame: I can explain everything!"

A smile touched the corners of the King's mouth. "Really? Then you can explain it all to Master Iwanbo – you'll be helping him in the kitchens for the next week. I certainly don't want to hear your excuses."

"T-the kitchens?" Kenshin asked, feeling his stomach sink and his step falter.

"Did you want to clean the stables?" Hiko wondered, tilting his head as Kenshin knelt next to Sir Cyus.

"No…as it would please you, Your Majesty…." Kenshin ended up mumbling, feeling his cheeks go red. What an embarrassment! He would have to lower himself down to the status of a servant! He couldn't bear it. He was wise enough to hold his tongue: obviously his father was in a very bad mood.

As the King turned to sit on his throne, he called out, "Guards! Take Sir Cyus to the courtyard – for disobeying my orders, I condemn him to fifty lashes for all eyes to see." Sir Cyus had gone white at the king's words, and coldly, Hiko said, "I told you I would not hesitate if he came home wounded."

Kenshin's eyes darted down to the gash in his arm, which he had tried to bandage up, but he saw that his blood had seeped through the material. The wound would have to be stitched, he supposed.

As Sir Cyus trailed after the guards obediently, Kenshin watched him, alarmed. "My King…it's not his fault…"

Seemingly tired and resigned, Hiko actually smiled. "Sir Kenshin, I know you think I'm being unjust, but my word is final in the matter. Sir Cyus will be fine, but I hope it serves as a lesson to you: your actions may cause other people to suffer. In the meantime, I'm glad to see that you are back."

Kenshin nodded sullenly, wanting to be dismissed so that he could catch Sir Cyus before the punishment began. He knew that there would be no chance of that, as the King had not yet finished with him.

"I trust you managed to find the Prince then?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"And where, pray tell, is he?"

For a moment, Kenshin faltered, and then, lowering his gaze to the floor again, he shook his head. "I-I ran to the barracks to tell Sir Cyus I had returned, but I had heard he came here…and I knew he would tell you everything….and I thought…" he stopped himself from rambling. His heart was heavy at the thought that he had been the reason why Sir Cyus was getting punished.

The King drummed his fingers against the armrests to his throne, letting the silence linger, letting the man kneeling before him think and gather his bearing. He stopped suddenly, and said, "It is not a very good impression on our guest of royalty to be left by the commanding officer, is it?"

Feeling drained, Kenshin shrugged. "No, my King…" He looked up as Hiko got up from his throne again, and started to pace. His steps seemed agitated, and Kenshin could tell that he had something else that was troubling him.

"Sir Sagara came to me specifically with the news that it was by the Lady Consolence's word that you would be better off to stay here, at the Palace."

"But Consolence's - "

" - Lady Consolence." His father corrected, sternly. "I hope you haven't forgotten all your courtesies."

Kenshin scowled, and Hiko did not miss it. "Lady Consolence's word is very important and should not be taken lightly: you know the type of woman she is. And you know the consequences of going against her words." To this, Kenshin pursed his lips, wishing that he wouldn't say anything more.

When no response came, Hiko continued. "I hope you don't forget what happened to Venus. You are dismissed."

Knowing full well that the King was not to be tried for his patience, Kenshin got to his feet, hurrying to the court yard. As much as he did not want to see his superior get shamed, he was expected to watch, to learn, and to feel guilty.

As he hurried past the grand staircase and over to the entrance hall, he almost knocked over a servant, who held a pile of fresh linen just washed. He ignored that and made his way to the court yard, where all the play from the children had ceased and where a crowd had gathered.

The sound of flesh being whipped could be heard and Kenshin knew he was too late: Sir Cyus was tied between two poles and was being flogged already. His wife stood in the crowd, crying, being held back by other ladies who looked just as horrified.

Feeling his heart twist painfully, Kenshin put up a trot, pushing his way through the throng and coming toward the side of his commander. The whipmaster seemed taken aback and stopped, wondering what was going on.

"My lord...I apologize…this was my doing…." Kenshin murmured, seeing Sir Cyus sagged against his bonds. His blond hair was plastered to his forehead, and his face was red with exhaustion.

"Ah…Your Highness…" He panted, raising his head only slightly to look up at him. "…no worries…" He managed to smile weakly. "…what's done is done….now step back please…" and so he did, stumbling backwards as he went, pale faced.

The whipmaster continued his work.

0-0-0-0-0

Kaoru stared at Kaiden in shock. Consolence merely smiled and the Prince returned Kaoru's stare in kind. His face was emotionless, so it was hard to tell what he was thinking.

Her heart was thumping so fast she swore that the soldiers that had gathered to watch a flogging could hear it. Her breaths came short, and as if to spite her, her throat seemed to close up and ache all the more.

"I can explain, Your Highness…" Consolence began.

"Isn't this treason due for death?" Kaiden wondered, still not removing his eyes from Kaoru.

"Yes it is."

Kaoru tried to calm down, but her legs felt hollow and her head suddenly light.

"This is not, as you may already know, Sir Valis." Consolence was explaining. "Sir Valis is dead; I had the pleasure to see him pass safely into the arms of the Ancient."

That seemed to strike Kaiden hard as the Prince wrenched his gaze from Kaoru and onto the mistress. "Oh, my word…."

"…I'm sorry…"

For a moment, no one spoke, and then, Kaiden demanded, "Why? Why dress like a man?"

The dull throbbing in Kaoru's throat had heightened and was now very sore, and she watched them through watering eyes.

"Because it will save more lives than you can imagine." Consolence replied, her voice monotonous. "I despise soldiers, Your Highness – nothing has changed. Nothing would make me happier than to see them die." Her voice had a haunting quality to it, making Kaoru's hair stand on end, and a cold chill run down her spine. "Though I hate them so, I realize that lives should not be wasted, even those of a soldier." She started walking again, forcing Kaiden to move as well, and Kaoru, suffering silently, swiftly followed.

"Kamiya must do this task, and I will see to it that she does, as a man."

Kaiden didn't sound happy. "But she's a woman…"

"And so am I."

He tried a different approach. "But should she get caught…." He gestured behind him, lazily. "Mistress, don't you think it's foolhardy? In plain daylight anyone could see what is wrong with her disguise. Sir Kenshin may not have been able to see it very well as he was not paying much attention, and because she rode behind him on the way here….but I noticed."

Consolence didn't seem concerned at all. In fact, her pose was confident and she tossed her hair over her shoulder, as she pushed open a pair of heavy double doors. "No one will find out. I plan to keep her hidden until the final changes have set. And you will not tell." The last words were not a question, nor were they a command, but rather, a simple statement.

Kaiden grudgingly nodded, swiping his rich red cap off of his head as they entered the palace. A bunch of court ladies had been making their way down the stairs, and stopped upon seeing them. Once eyes fell on Consolence, they moved right back up those stairs, afraid to come down.

She was not moved, however, at the hostility, but she made her way up the stairs with the Prince and Kaoru in tow. Kaoru kept her head down as she passed them, afraid that what the prince had said was true: perhaps people would be able to tell upon seeing her in the open light.

Already tired and sore, Kaiden struggled to keep up with her. "Mistress? What do you mean the final changes?"

But she did not answer. Instead, she led them up, onto the second level, where portraits of the past kings lined the walls and stared down at them, with fierce expressions. Two or three of them were mere boys who had reached manhood and had managed to foster children before passing away.

The pictures continued down the hallway, behind their brazen picture frames and they stopped as they reached another set of double doors. Here, a man stood waiting outside in silver robes with a roll of parchment in his hands, a line of people standing in front of him. His quill was moving across his parchment slowly as he took their names down, and asked for them to stand aside once they had finished registering.

Consolence did not bother to move to the end of the line. She stepped straight up to him, and waited. When he finally looked up, his eyes went wide with recognition and his forehead beaded with sweat.

"Good day, Lord Okina."

Instead of voicing his discomfort, Okina smiled. "Ah, Lady Consolence, it's a pleasure…"

Ignoring his touch of pretense, she smiled back. "I have brought with me a guest that the King is expecting to see."

"The King is busy with his attendants now." Okina said. His voice was as wiry as the rest of his body, a thin gray mustache adorned his upper lip, and his blue eyes seemed as faded as his age.

"Immediately."

It was Kaiden who had spoken the command, but coming from his lips sounded rather pathetic. A few titters rippled through the line that had formed, angry voices wondered aloud who the impertinent boy was that thought to cross in their wake.

Okina trained his eyes on Kaiden, who tried to look taller and older, but resulted in only showing that he was far from it.

Consolence swiftly resumed talking, so that the line fell silent once more. "This is Prince Kaiden son of Alathreal, of Mintril. Please grant him audience with His Majesty."

Taken aback, Okina nodded, bowing. "uh…yes, of course. So you've been found: thank goodness, your highness. Forgive me…"

But Kaiden was all smiles again, eager to get going. His hands squashed at his cap nervously as Okina raced to open the doors, forgetting to even register the prince's name on his parchment.

All the attendants in the room looked up, as their meeting, which had just started to pick up, was interrupted. Hiko did not look pleased. "I asked that you keep everyone out until my morning session was finished." He said, rising from the throne. When Hiko got angry, people flinched, and most were doing just that. Okina was among them as he lifted his arm in introduction.

"Your Majesty, I apologize for the short notice, and I was doing as I was told…but may I present to you, His Highness Prince Kaiden of Mintril, here at your request and the Lady Consolence." He hesitated when he saw Kaoru and realized that he failed to announce her as well. Self-consciously, she lowered the helmet she was wearing some more, so that he could not see her well and prayed that he would not ask any questions.

The King, thankfully, did not ask questions, as he swept from his throne, and started down the middle aisle. All three went to a knee before him, and when Consolence and the Prince rose, Kaoru did not. She felt herself trembling: never before had she ever thought to encounter the king! As much as she wanted to look up at him, she did not dare to, afraid to be backhanded – old habits die hard.

"Well met, Your Highness!"

"The honor is mine." Kaiden replied smoothly as he had done with Kenshin on the field. "I'm sorry I am late, Your Grace."

"Nonsense." Hiko shook his head so that his black mane wobbled. His hands went out to dismiss the attendants and have them leave some privacy. Kaoru remained seemingly glued to the ground as the two royals shook hands.

"May you live long and prosper!" Kaiden said eagerly, as was the customary phrase used in Daikan. He followed the King back up the aisle, leaving Consolence standing next to Kaoru.

Hiko smiled, the edge of some of his frustrations fading slightly. He was glad to see that the Prince looked well, if not worn. "How fares your country, Your Highness? I have not seen you since you were a child. Now, you are a man grown!"

There was a long silence, and Kaiden tried to pull himself together, taking a deep breath. "My father passed away last week." He said finally, his voice wavering for the first time since he had stepped into the country of Daikan.

His jolly face and easy-go-lucky attitude seemed to crumble a bit as his smile strained, threatening to be dropped at any moment. He did not let it though, straightening his back and holding his head up high. "I come of age in a few months." He said, importantly, efficiently masking his pain. "And I will become ruler of my country. I came here to offer you a treaty, Your Grace. That is, if you would still have it."

The King bowed his head. "I grieve to hear that Alathreal has left us. My dear boy, I would have what you offer me – and I am pleased to know that Mintril will always be welcome through our borders."

"As a gift, I have brought with me something to present to you." Kaiden replied, remembering what he had brought. He rummaged through his robes, and unhooked a splendidly rolled parchment clipped to his belt that was cinched at his waist. The scroll was old but beautiful, the intricate design on the paper having been made with the best ink, so fine and artfully done that only a master scribe could have written it. The seal sat on the page, worn but unbroken.

The King seemed frozen into place as he received it. He was momentarily speechless, and the rest of the lines of anxiety disappeared from his face, as though the problems he had been thinking about earlier had been vanquished by that one scroll. A look of relief took its place, his hands clutching the scroll to his chest like it were the most precious thing.

"Now more than ever, our countries need to be allied and come together." He grasped the boy's shoulders gently. "Rest now, Prince Kaiden. Your journey has come to an end, and before you start your trek back, feel free to wander the castle. Your men may sleep in the barracks with my army, if it please you."

"I thank you." Kaiden said, beaming. "I'd be most honored to stay here. My men, I am sorry to say, have been cut down to a bare number of three. Therefore we won't take up much room." He motioned to where Kaoru was still kneeling. "This Sir Valis Varent of Mintril. Unfortunately, sire, he is ill of late."

The King barely shot a glance in Kaoru's direction, as he was more intent on the scroll in his hands. "Well, my apologies for that. Your Highness pray excuse me: I must continue with my duties. Strength to you." The conversation had come to an end, even though it was apparent that Hiko wished it wouldn't. There was much he wanted to talk about.

Kaiden eagerly saluted and hurried back to Consolence and Kaoru. "Well, that went splendid! Sir Valis, Mistress Consolence, what say you to some breakfast?"

Consolence and Kaoru looked at each other, in relief. "That would be most appreciated."

0-0-0-0-0

Sayo turned her head in the direction of the doorway as it opened. Today the room seemed stuffy and stale, no matter how many windows had been opened and drapes pulled back.

Sitting around the grand room were young ladies, working quietly away on their sewing, and chatting lightly with each other while Madam Myranda watched them. All of them were dressed beautifully, as young ladies must, in dresses that were made of different rich materials, each complimenting the body of the suitor. All in all, it was a very dull experience, having to sit there for hours on end and having to endure the mindless chatter and giggles.

The needlework in Sayo's hands was turning out very poorly and her fingers were slowly turning numb at the slowness of it all. How she often wished she could have been born as a boy! Then she could have the exciting adventures that they seemed to have. She wished that she could go with Sir Kenshin and his troops to fight the wars and partake in the glory, instead of having to stay behind and hear or read about it after.

Her reading abilities had grown immensely, as she loved the way stories and history were written; the ability to picture it all her in mind's eye was a wonderful feeling. Sir Kenshin would be proud of her: she loved him the most.

Through the doorway came Shuzo, followed by Sir Okita who bowed slightly to Madam Myranda upon entering. Today, Sayo noticed, Sir Okita looked particularly handsome, with a robe of dark green covering a vest of brown and ending midway down his thighs, over his dark gray pants. Two sets of swords hung casually at his waist, and his left hand was slung lazily over them as he escorted Shuzo in along with a few other boys.

Madam Myranda put down her needlework as they bustled in, and got to her feet. "My lord, I bid you welcome. Is it time already for a reading lesson?"

Okita smiled genially and bowed slightly again. "Master Shuusaku is ill and will not be able to teach. I am told there is another on his way."

Everyone in the room broke out into soft murmurs, glancing around at each other. A few girls began to whisper excitedly behind their fans, a few having the audacity to bat their eyelashes at the soldier present.

"Do you suppose it will be Master Kirin?" Ayame asked, placing her needlework down elegantly on the table in front of them. She was a beautiful girl, a favored maiden whom many of the young gentlemen had taken a liking to. Her brown hair fell in tresses about her shoulders, and the green dress she had on, complimented her slim figure, so daring as to cut into a low V by her bosom where her breasts had begun to develop. In a couple of months time she would be a woman grown, and most probably happily married off to a fine lord.

Her sister, Suzume, was just like her, with a pale complexion and a thin frame. She wore orange, which did not quite go well with her brown eyes, and her hair too, fell in tresses, though not as long. She was older than Sayo, but being six and four years she was still short for her age. A smile stole upon her face as Master Kirin's name was mentioned. "Oh, but he's so very handsome…." She breathed, wistfully. "You know as well as I do, Ayame, that we would not pay much attention to him should he speak."

"Well, I don't find him attractive at all!" Sayo declared. "Sir Kenshin is much more refined."

Ayame and Suzume both looked disgusted. "Sir Kenshin is a soldier. They are dirty and blood-lusting and not to mention that they are never present! Why, I hear Sir Kenshin is of fake royalty."

"He is not!" Sayo cried. "Sir Kenshin is just as royal as I am, so mind your tongue, Ayame! Soldiers are honorable and just as handsome as any court lord! And I would that you not speak ill of my brother."

It was then that Shuzo decided to join them, pulling his chair noisily across the room so that wood scraped across the floor. He smelled like the outdoors as he leaned forward eagerly. "I just came back from watching a flogging." He announced. "We were on our way back from swordsmanship when Sir Cyus was dragged outside and whipped on account of Sir Kenshin's botched mistake."

Sayo paled and her two friends tittered behind their hands. "Sir Ken is back then?" She asked at last.

"They came back just moments ago." Shuzo confirmed, nodding. He glanced up as Sayo stood. "Where are you going?"

"To see Sir Ken." Was her answer.

Ayame and Suzume looked shocked. "You'll get into trouble again, Your Highness. Madam Myranda will surely report you to the Queen if you neglect your studies again."

Sayo could not have cared less. "It is a reading lesson…" She began.

Shuzo shook his head so that his curly locks seemed to bounce. "Forget about the soldiers for once, dear sister! You are a lady, not a squire. Put Sir Kenshin from your mind and do your duties as you're supposed to."

Feeling slightly betrayed by her brother's words, Sayo sank back down onto her cushioned seat, the material of her dress bunching around her legs as she did so. She did not bother to smooth it out and she did not care for the looks that Madam Myranda shot her way when she came by.

"Ladies and gentlemen," The tall stern figure of the Madam clapped gently to get everybody's attention. She had a big-bodied frame, her dress looking so tight around her middle that it was a wonder it had not yet torn. But her movements were graceful for one so huge and her courtesies seamless. How Sayo disliked her! "Please take out your reading materials – your lessons should be conducted shortly. Ladies, you may put away your sewing and we shall return to it on the morrow."

There was a great bustle as the boys and girls alike hurried to get their books and put away the tools from their previous lesson.

"I don't particularly like reading lessons." Suzume said, with a sigh. "It's so dull and boring."

Sayo pulled her book toward her. "I love the subject; it's much better than learning courtesies all day. We are able to read great stories…."

"You and your soldiers." Shuzo muttered, shaking his head. He was non too pleased to see that his sister was so very unladylike. He had no doubts that she would become a very pretty one at that, but she could be so stubborn when she felt like it.

At that moment, the door opened, and all heads turned to see who it was. The hopeful looks on Ayame and Suzume's faces were replaced with one of pure disgust when they saw who it was.

Standing at the doorway, was Sir Saitoh, dressed smartly in a tunic and high collar, and crisp breeches. His overcoat was slung onto one arm, the other held the reading materials closer to himself as he strode into the room, looking neither left nor right, but straight at the Madam, who seemed to be just as shocked as her students. For the first time it seemed as if she quite forgot her courtesies as she stared openly at the officer.

"Madam Myranda, pray forgive me for my tardiness." Saitoh obviously hadn't forgotten his. Coming back to her senses, Madam Myranda curtsied, managing to make it into a sufficiently elegant one despite her confusion.

"Sir Saitoh, I did not think that you would be sent."

"Neither did I, let me assure you." Was his curt response. He finally turned to the children, sitting around the room, watching with rapt attention. Ayame seemed to shrink back into her seat some more when his eyes fell upon her. "Never the less, I am here. Please open your books to chapter 8. We shall begin from there."

Glancing at one another, the four companions opened the texts wearily, as Sir Saitoh began to wander the room, amongst them. He stopped when he came face to face with Sir Okita, who was watching him from the corner of the room.

"Your presence here is not necessary." Saitoh told him, coolly.

Okita merely smiled. "Oh, but her Majesty thinks it to be." He motioned to Shuzo. "Only this morning I was told to hold His Highness in high regard. I hope you don't mind my presence for a little longer, good sir. You may pretend I don't exist."

The students watched them, interestedly. Saitoh did not take his gaze off the younger man as he barked, "Yutaro! Start reading from line one."

The young man sitting just left of Shuzo jumped and began stuttering. "Y-yes sir…"

And so the reading lesson began, but Sayo did not pay much attention. She had read their reader at least thrice and she had become quite bored of the story of Trenidell. She wanted to read more of the battle at Musaidas. So she stared off, toward the window, wondering if Sir Kenshin were still out in the yard and wishing she could see him again.

She gave a startled cry when Sir Saitoh took it upon himself to slap her book closed on her lap, crushing her fingers between its pages. "Your Highness," He said silkily in a disapproving voice. "I don't take it kindly when my students don't listen to me."

Her eyes filled with tears of pain as she trained them on his ugly face. "I hope I do not have to remind you again. Pay attention – royalty or not, in this room, I hold no favorites." He bit off the last few words and gazed into her eyes, making her flinch and forget to breathe.

And then, he was gone, sweeping back across the room, and she lowered her head over her books, ashamed to see that everyone was staring at her with wide eyes.

"I hate him!" She cried vehemently to her friends once the class had ended and he had left the room. "Why must he be so…disagreeable!"

Ayame calmly closed her text, caressing its worn cover absently. "I admit I don't take a liking in him either. But you mustn't use the word 'hate', your highness. It's such a vulgar word."

Shuzo stuffed his book into his bag, swiping a hand over his messy, curly head. "I don't trust him." He said, "But our lord father has decided to let him stay with the soldiers – and now, worse yet, he has allowed him to start teaching us!"

Now the three girls were interested. "What's there not to trust?" Suzume prodded, leaning her round face over her book where she carefully marked their last lesson's page.

Just as Shuzo was about to explain, Okita made his way toward them, causing the four to grow quiet. It wouldn't do to speak ill of the man's comrade. Shuzo came to his feet. "Many things." He said finally. "I've got my eye on him though. Sayo, dear, you should try not to make him so upset. He'll grow to hate you."

Okita chuckled. "Oh, your highness, wherever do you get the notion? Come along now, our lunch awaits." And with that, he led the boy out of the room, leaving the girls to themselves.

"He does hate me." Sayo scowled, clenching her hands. Her fingers still smarted with the earlier assault but her pride was wounded far worse. She stood also, pushing her chair back carelessly. "I hope he does not teach again. He was positively boring."

Both Ayame and Suzume accompanied her down to the dining hall, where already many were seated. To Sayo's dismay, Sir Kenshin was not present and so she took her place next to her friends, disappointed. He had promised her he would send for her when he returned. She couldn't help but feel a bit betrayed.

Her eye caught Saitoh's, accidentally, as she was looking about the place hopefully. Perhaps Sir Kenshin was just a bit late. She felt a blush rising to her cheeks again, but she did not look away. She wouldn't! She would not let the man scare her. He took a seat next to Shuzo, who was too busy talking to Sir Okita to notice.

Sir Saitoh did not let his glare waver but he broke his gaze evenly as Shuzo was served a drink.

Sayo felt herself turn cold with dread. For a moment, she wondered whether all her insides had vanished as she stood up clumsily, straining to see.

I don't trust him…

"Don't!" She heard herself cry, as Shuzo took the cup and raised it to his lips. To her surprise, Saitoh grabbed the cup from his hands and pulled it away. Confused, Shuzo looked up as Saitoh forced the cup into the hands of the taste-tester behind them.

In seconds, the man lay dead.

To Be Continued…

AN: And there you go guys! Right before Christmas! I'm SO proud of myself. (Grins) I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter, and again, I'm so sorry I was so late in posting it. Your reviews really do help me, and so do your emails so if you want to drop me a line, please do not hesitate. I look forward to those reviews! (Hint, hint)

Until the next chapter, thanks for reading. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!