Disclaimer: I only own what is mine. My OCs and Ideas.

A/N: Yup, it took me a long time to update, again. But with Thanksgiving here, I think I can update at least twice next week (maybe). I have been working like crazy for school and then every weekend I have somewhere to be! But that is finally over for right now. So, I am going to get this up here.
I am continuing to push forward in writing ahead, and I am trying to make is as realistic as possible. I cannot make it their perfect relationship. Because life is not like that. I have to give them something to work through. So, I don't know... I'm working on it. But it's amazing how sweet the two of them are.
I know people don't want to talk about all the politics happening right now, and I one of them. I only bring that up to say the world is not perfect and Danny and Aiko have to face that. It's sweet in my eyes.
I'm rambling... so you guys know how it works here! Read! Review! And most importantly; Enjoy!

Reviews:

ArtemisBAMF1218- Yeah, I could have done it where she said no at first. but because of the Next Gen books, it's already kind of set in stone. Not that it is a problem.
Yeah, trust me. When you saw, a lot can happen in a week I know... I am so ready for Thanksgiving break.
Danny hurting her comes up again. And Ryu... is an evil sister. Let's just say that for right now. Previous feelings come up again.
I try to keep the PDA far from obnoxious. They do all the little things that count.
There is a lot of adjusting going on. As I mentioned in the Author's Note. Life is far from perfect and that will sneak its way into their lives. But they start off strong. Enjoy!

TheRandGirl- More cuteness planned for this chapter! They get embarrassed a lot, I guess because it is all so new. Ryu continues to be the annoying sister.
Ok... I am not crazy evil. Just read to find out what happens next... Hope this is fast enough! Enjoy!

Chapter 3

Aiko jumped to her feet as her face flooded red. She straightened out her dress almost frantically.

She and Danny were alone in his office, sitting together on the couch. If they were any younger, it might have been overlooked as them innocently working together on something. But they were both at the proper age to get married…

She was humiliated at the fact that she had dumbly put herself in the situation that they were in.

Next to her, Danny stood up easily. "Are you ok?"

"We were alone in here," Aiko blushed as she looked at Danny. Hoping he would understand.

"Mission Report." Danny smiled easily.

Aiko looked up as her father walked in.

"Now, I do want to die." Aiko sighed. She could not control the blood rushing to her face.

Forget just anyone, her father of all people had walked in…

"Daniel, Aiko…" He addressed them both. He gave Aiko a smile. She wanted to die from embarrassment.

"See to it we are not disturbed," Danny called over to one of the stone guards as they closed the doors.

Aiko sat down on the couch and tried covering her face with her long hair and hands.

"Are you alright, Aiko?" Master Kung asked.

"Fine," Aiko mutter.

"She is simply embarrassed." Danny provided.

"Embarrassed?" Master Kung repeated. He was quiet for a while. "How was last night?"

"Everything was just fine," Danny replied.

"Aiko?" Master Kung asked. "Stand up and look at me." He commanded.

Aiko obeyed. She stood up at looked at her father. Her face burning. "You know right? Danny said you did. Right?" She asked.

"Know what?" Master Kung asked.

Aiko sighed. "Danny? Help?"

"With what?" Danny asked.

Aiko felt some anger grow in her stomach. "Annoying…" Aiko mumbled.

"Well… I know… but then again. I do not know what your response was." Master Kung said.

Aiko pulled out her necklace that had been tucked into her dress. She held it so the ring was in her palm of her hand. "Here it is."

"It is beautiful," Master Kung commented. "I think you two will be very happy together."

"Thank you, Master," Danny said gently. His face was also a little red.

"Aiko would you mind leaving us? I do not believe this will interest you." Master Kung asked addressing his daughter.

"Um… not to be nosey or anything but why?" Aiko asked slowly.

"The official final paperwork and such," Danny said easily. "I don't think you would really be all that interested."

"Bride Price?" Aiko asked, unamused.

"It is simply culture, Aiko." Master Kung stated.

"They don't do it in the outside," Aiko said.

"But Aiko," Danny spoke up easily. "The outside is a horrid place; you agree with me on this… do you not?"

"I do." Aiko sighed. "You are correct." She froze, she remembered the coronation and the one part where Danny disowned his home as the outside world. She would have to ask later…

She smiled up at Danny and hugged him around the neck. "See you later then."

She walked over to her father and bowed.

Aiko walked over and pushed on the large and heavy door. When it shoved one of the stone guards on the outside easily pulled it open for her.

"Thank you," Aiko said as she walked out. Instantly her hand covered her ring as she tucked it back away. It was going to be difficult to keep the engagement quiet while waiting for the party to come around.

She walked around the palace aimless for a while.

Aiko walked until she entered the main foyer. The main doors were open to let the summer warmth into the room. It was amazing. Aiko started to make her way down the steps and into the courtyard.

In the afternoon light, it was beautiful. A stone walkway and grass and trees in such a way that was sacred and perfect.

Aiko walked to the gated wall that marked the end of the royal grounds.

She turned and looked over her shoulder at the palace. It was beautiful. And it was her new home.

Aiko turned back and started to walk down the streets. Her stomach churned for many reasons. Excitement. Worry. The strange feeling of being bought, only as tradition. That was more of a sick feeling.

But two very reasonable people were doing it. Danny wasn't the type to be chin deep in the traditions of K'un-Lun and her father would not be outrageous. It would all fall into place.

She also was worried the ring might get noticed. But it was invisible.

Aiko walked down the street watching everything around her. Some people recognized her and bid her a good morning. Others did nothing.

Aiko walked home quietly. Her heart was soaring simply thinking of Danny.

This was all really happening.

He had really asked her to marry him.

Aiko let herself into the house and laid down on the couch.

"Aiko, go wash up!" Māmā called.

Aiko sat up. "What?"

"Danny and Ryu are coming over for dinner and I want you to help me get everything ready!" Māmā said walking into the room.

Aiko sat up. "Sure. Māmā." Aiko said as she sat herself up. "I'll wash up."

Aiko picked herself off the couch and walked to her room. She got a change of clothes, a new dress, and some towels.

She marched herself to the wash house.

It was almost dark when Danny and Ryu showed up. Danny looked exhausted. Ryu… wide awake.

Danny simply took a seat at the table and folded his arms and laid his head down.

No one bothered to wake him.

Aiko would glance over at him over and over again. Not everyone knew and she was anxious to tell but was waiting for Danny to make a move.

Ryu was bottled up with excitement. She was smiling like an idiot a good deal of the time and Davos could not get it out of her. Aiko had smacked her upside the head many times to no avail.

Māmā had snapped at Aiko, after catching her smack Ryu. And when she was corrected Ryu just smiled more. Enjoying herself.

"Aiko, wake Danny up," Māmā said as she finished making tea for everyone.

Aiko walked over and bend down where Danny was. She gave him a small shake. "Hey, wake up."

Danny groaned and turned his head to the other side.

"Dinner, sleepy head," Aiko said again pushing Danny in the side with a lot of force.

Danny groaned and sat up looking at Aiko. He smiled at the sight of her. "Hello."

"Morning." Aiko laughed.

"Evening!" Ryu shouted in her correction.

"When are you going to fix her?" Aiko asked.

"I don't think I can." Danny sighed.

Aiko stood up and pulled Danny to his feet. "When are we going to?"

"Later…" Danny said back softly. "I don't know how to explain it."

Aiko smiled. Her hand was holding his, absentmindedly. She pulled him toward the kitchen.

Ryu caught them. "Way to be subtle, you guys." She whispered.

Aiko looked down at her hand and blushed noticing that she was holding Danny's hand.

Danny just smiled at her sweetly. "It's ok." He reassured her.

Aiko sighed. "Right."

Danny and Aiko served themselves and took their seats at the round dinner table.

It was quiet for a while. It started off so quiet that everyone just ate. Even Ryu was strangely quiet.

"Are you feeling alright, Ryu?" Māmā asked. "You are being quiet."

"Just keeping my trap shut for the sake of others." Ryu smiled.

"What?" Davos asked.

"I am not talking because if I do I might say something I am not supposed to say." She smiled and looked at Danny.

"Confidential?" Māmā asked.

"No," Ryu answered for Danny. "But it is not my news to tell… so… I am not talking…"

Danny was about to put his chopsticks in his mouth when he froze. He lowered them very slowly and looked over at Ryu. "Dragon Lords… you are doing it on purpose."

Ryu grinned brightly showing off her fangs.

"Would this have to do with your marriage, Daniel?" Māmā asked.

"Completely," Ryu answered for him.

Danny smacked her upside the head lightly. "You have my permission to be quiet now."

Aiko kind of wanted to join in the game, but it would not be funny when she was in it.

"So you have selected a bride? Is all the paperwork done?" Māmā pressed on.

"Yes and yes," Danny said softly. "Everything is in order for Friday."

"Are you going to tell us who she is or are we going to wait?" Ryu asked.

Danny quickly dropped his chopsticks to the table and grabbed his sister and put her in a choke hold.

Ryu wasn't mad about it. She just laughed. She tried to free herself but was still laughing.

"Something tells me that you already know and you aren't supposed to be talking," Davos commented.

"Don't… care…" Ryu laughed. "Too funny…"

"Danny, let your sister go." Master Kung said easily. "Ryu, be nice to your brother."

"You know," Māmā sighed. "I swear we only had two kids, Lei."

Master Kung laughed to himself. "They aren't the first ones or the last."

Danny smiled.

"Don't change the subject!" Ryu said quickly. "Danny…"

Danny glared at her. "You have no fear, hmm?"

"That would be correct." Ryu smiled.

"You already know who your brother is going to marry, Ryu. Leave him alone." Aiko said sharply as she concentrated on not showing her emotions as she took a spoonful of soup.

"And how would you know that?" Davos asked.

"Just look her," Aiko said, she put her hands in her lap, looking at Ryu. "That and she mentioned it to me earlier."

"Did not… technically." Ryu sighed.

"Ryu… your brother is allowed to withhold this information for as long as he would like." Māmā corrected gently. "Allow him to not share anything he does not wish to share."

Danny took a deep breath. "If you wish to know, I do not mind sharing information about it. As long and it is not mentioned to anyone before the announcement."

There was a quiet round of agreement.

Danny's hand dropped to his lap, under the table he took one of Aiko's hands. He took in a deep breath.

"First off. She already agreed to marry me, although nothing is official until the engagement party. And second. As far as I know, we are both happy with the arrangement. Alright?" Danny asked softly.

"Of course." Māmā smiled. "Danny you're family. We support you."

Danny's face got a little embarrassed he didn't look up. He looked at his and Aiko's intertwined hands under the table.

He took a deep breath. Her face still a little pink. "I… um…"

"I asked…" He seemed to be struggling with the words.

"Aiko." Danny finally finished. "I asked Aiko to marry me."

Aiko smiled but she also felt her face get hot. She also looked down at her lap.

"This is a surprise." Davos finally spoke up.

"And you agreed to this, Aiko?" Māmā asked.

"Yes. Bába said he already finished all the paperwork with Danny." Aiko muttered.

"Danny?" Māmā asked.

Danny forced himself to look up. His face was still very red.

"Why are you doing this?" Māmā asked gently.

Danny took a deep breath. "Aiko has… always been right there for as long as I can remember… I wanted to keep it that way… I… I uh… you could say I grew to love her during our time in the outside world. I knew that I wanted to marry her just be watching her. She helped me with Ryu and she stood by me… and I can't image my life any other way." Danny sighed. "You can go ahead and call it being selfish. I don't mind."

"It's not called being selfish. It's called being in love. Duh!" Ryu said from her seat. "Go on Aiko… say lovey-dovey things about Danny too."

Aiko felt her face burn more. "He's great." She said softly. She leaned into his side. "He really is."

"I say all that," Danny said softly. "And all I get is 'he's great'?"

"I guess I also started to love you in the outside too. You are just someone I could spend eternity with." Aiko smiled. "You are amazing and strong. And honestly, I don't have the words right now."

"And you two haven't even been betrothed for a day." Ryu sighed. "I told you guys, you should have gotten together sooner."

Master Kung laughed. "While I agree that it is sweet, I believe Danny enjoys living, isn't that right, Daniel?"

"Yes, Master," Danny said quickly.

"Oh, so you weren't joking when you said he would skin you alive." Ryu mused, she picked at her food but her expression was clear, raised eyebrows and slight nodding. "Nice to know."

Dinner was for the rest night, quiet. A few off-handed teases from everyone to the couple. There were really no plans yet. It was only the first night of the engagement.

A few questions were asked also. Small things like what they thought of different aspects of each other.

After dinner, Māmā didn't require either of them to help clean up. She dismissed them to enjoy their evening.

They had decided to not head out. There was a risk of being outed as a couple always. But on top of that, neither of them wanted to head out. They just wanted to stay in.

They had gone to Danny's room and climbed up onto the roof to watch the stars, laying on their backs.

"Do we tell Kasumi and Hiroshi?" Aiko asked.

Danny looked up at the stars. "No." He said simply.

"You want to let them be surprised?" Aiko asked.

"Yes, it would be nice." Danny smiled.

Aiko moved a little closer to Danny. There was a slight awkwardness between the pair. Uncertain of what was acceptable.

Neither wanted to carry on as if nothing had happened… but at the same time, nothing would be official until the party.

"It feels like we should be getting to know each other better. But we know each other really well, already don't we?" Aiko asked softly.

"Not as much as a married couple should," Danny sighed. "Your favorite color is gold, right?"

"That seems trivial. Doesn't it?" Aiko asked. "Your favorite color is green."

"Easily," Danny replied.

"You know…" Aiko sighed. "There is a reason behind why that is my favorite color. Your hair is bright yellow and it always has intrigued me."

Danny looked over at Aiko. "Really?"

"Yeah, you were a strange child." Aiko sighed to herself. "But I loved that about you. You were like a little brother, only because you just didn't know any better."

"And you were the older sister it seems like." Danny smiled. "So when did you say you first felt like you loved me?"

"I don't think I told you." Aiko sighed. "Um… I think it was the night of Prom. When I threw up. Ava was talking to me and her kind of prompted me along to admit I had a crush on you. It was small at the time. But… you know… it grew. I guess I started admitting to myself that I love you right about the time we came back. I was worried for you, for everything. And I felt bad because other people would approach me about marriage. It was just… it didn't feel right. You already had my heart. I think I felt like it would shatter if you didn't know. And I was worried I would not be able to be with you. Ava told me I needed to tell you about it. And to be honest, but I really didn't want my heart broken. Danny, you are the first guys I have ever trusted with my heart. I don't want to be hurt."

Danny smiled. "And I don't want to hurt you. But there will be a day when you are hurt. And I will feel horrible and it will be all my fault." His smile fell. "It will happen. I do not know when… but I will feel horrible."

"I know," Aiko sighed. "But we'll be ok."

"Right," Danny sighed.

"When did you really fall in love with me?" Aiko asked.

"In the outside. Although, when we were kids, I had the biggest crush on you at one point." Danny blushed. "I don't think it ever really went away. You were always there and I could count on you. But in the outside, I really admitted to myself that you were the one I wanted to be with."

Aiko smiled. "That is really sweet."

Danny smiled at her. "We are in for a rough time. We are young, we don't have life figured out. And I am just a little hesitant. Is this is going to work?"

"We will make it work." Aiko sighed. "I guess we will…" she sat up and looked over at Danny. "I love you."

"You too, my love." Danny smiled up at her.

PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW!