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

A/N: So, hope everyone is having a good Thanksgiving. I went to see the new Disney movie; Moana. It was good. Um, so I've been working on this story and it's going fairly well, getting held up at this one scene. But I should be able to get past it in a little while. At least hopefully. I've been thinking about just how long I want this story to be. I was thinking about ending it with their wedding, but then I kind of got the urge to show newlywed life... and then all these other things. And now... yeah... I don't have very many plans. It is a make it up as I go (as compared to Together As One, where I have mapped out who gets what). Anyway... Enjoy!

Reviews:

ArtemisBAMF1218- Daniko is ready to go! Celebrate! Yeah, Aiko gets uncomfortable a lot with stuff, it's fun to write. Danny's comment gets explained this chapter.
Ryu... is going to be making a lot of appearances. Just how it works. And it was fun to have her tease the couple.
I've been researching up on how to write a good and healthy relationship. And the two of them just do a lot of talking. But I don't want to make their relationship too easy... what's the fun in that? For me at least? You commented that it was different from how they normally are. I think I will use that *evil grin*.
Yeah, I have some ideas about their relationship getting rough, them hurting each other without meaning too. Stepping on each other's toes.
Anyway. Enjoy!

TheRandGirl - They are rather sweet. And Danny... Then Ryu... who is... Ryu. She is annoying. But, she is kind of important to their relationship as playing middle man. She is important, and I think her relationship with Danny and Aiko makes her an important character to the story.
I think I am just now finishing up chapter 13. But the thing is, I am not certain if I am satisfied with what I have done so far; is their relationship too easy? Not enough details? Still awkward? All those things. As far as the plot goes, without giving too much away; they have set the date (tons of zodiac research and a match maker, horoscope kind of thing) and have a misunderstanding (Hopefully that is not too much of a spoiler).
Yeah, married life isn't easy. I know from my parents. They had this little thing the other day about what bowl was needed to make whip cream. And basically, it was whatever was more trouble to clean and then they used the other one. So I have to smile at my own inspiration. It's not easy. Aiko and Danny find that out the hard way. Anyway, Enjoy!

Chapter 4

It had been a few days. And Aiko had kept her mouth shut. So had Danny. Aiko walked nervously behind Ryu as the smaller girl led her to Danny's office.

"You are nervous Aiko…" Ryu commented.

"Sorry," Aiko muttered.

They turned the corner and Ryu walked right up to the stone guards.

"King Daniel is having an audience with the council." One said easily. "He is not here."

Ryu sighed. "Right, he mentioned that was today."

Aiko sighed. "What do you want to do while we wait?"

"How about we go down to the garden?" Ryu offered. "It's beautiful."

"Sure." Aiko nodded. "Are you good to be in the sun?"

"Yeah, it's still early. Not too hot out." Ryu shrugged.

The pair once more started to walk. Ryu leading the way.

"You need to learn your way around," Ryu commented off-handedly.

"I will have time." Aiko sighed. She held herself upright and proper.

"Nervous much?" Ryu commented.

They started down some stairs.

Aiko opened the door for Ryu and the pair walked out.

The garden was huge. There was a small stream running around it and a few ponds and streams.

Wooden walkways and all sorts of beautiful places to relax. Aiko smiled at it all. "This is all so beautiful." She smiled.

"Yeah, Danny's been out here some, mostly when the palace just gets too stuffy for him. He'll bring a book and chillax." Ryu explained.

"It's nice." Aiko smiled.

"Are you excited about the engagement party?" Ryu asked.

"Māmā is more excited than I am." Aiko sighed. "She has already finished my dress. And we have a few more days… has Danny invited Kasumi and Hiroshi to come to the party?"

"I think so." Ryu shrugged. "You know; you've been here a lot. More than other guests. I wonder if there are any rumors yet." She smiled an evil smile up at Aiko, who sighed.

"I highly doubt that. Gossiping is not culturally acceptable. It may be a regular thing to do in New York, but it is frowned upon here. Especially gossiping about someone as high up as Danny." Aiko said gently. "So I don't think there would be any rumors."

"You know; I am glad he picked you." Ryu smiled. "I like you too. Danny had to play the part like he didn't already have a clue who he wanted to marry. So there were a few girls he spent an afternoon with or a morning with just to keep suspicions down."

Aiko gave a nod. "It was likely arranged by the monks and nobles."

"Anyways, Danny explained it's as close to dating as existed here. And he openly invited me to crash all of them. He said he could not marry anyone if they did not get along with me." Ryu smiled to herself.

"And how did that go?" Aiko asked extremely curious.

"I crashed all of them. Some were worse than others." Ryu sighed. "Reactions varied from 'pet' to 'pest.' I mean, it's nice that Danny took me into consideration. It shows he does care about me."

"You know he does." Aiko smiled.

"Right." Ryu smiled. "Do you want me to tell you more about them?"

"Are these good stories?" Aiko asked.

"Well, I think they are." Ryu shrugged. "One of them, Danny judo flipped me because I stuck up behind him and startled him. That girl was gone in about five seconds. I apologized, you know; the right thing to do and all, I never knew if this would just happen to be someone he liked or not. Any of those girls could have been the one in his eyes. I mean honestly. I've shipped you two from basically day one."

Ryu stopped walking. "Do you remember that? I was sleeping on the couch one day, and I asked if you two were betrothed or not."

"Stop saying you 'ship' us. Neither of us like it when you do that." Aiko corrected. "And yes, I remember."

"But, he thanked me. You know; each time that happened and he thanked me I was nearly convinced he was going to die alone. I mean really, each time he seemed relieved that I had jumped in." Ryu sighed. "But really, he was just playing his cards until he could line everything thing up."

"He's sweet." Aiko sighed.

Ryu looked up at the trees. She stopped under one of them and jumped up, flapping her wings to keep her up as she plucked a fruit from one of them.

"Hungry?" She offered.

"How do you know if that is any good?" Aiko asked.

"Danny's been kind of insistent that I learn some herbs and plants," Ryu explained. "He knows the basics and he doesn't want me to poison myself. That, and we both know that I am not just going to stay in this one city forever. This is a whole dimension. I am like Danny. I want to travel."

Ryu held out the fruit. "This is called Purple Mangosteen. You can only eat the fleshy part inside. And not the outside. It's native to India, I believe. And… it is good for…."

Aiko sighed as the young Dragon Lord seemed to fail to remember what the fruit in her hand was any good for.

"Skin infections… wounds… and some other things but those are the big two." Ryu easily split the fruit with her nails.

She easily passed half to Aiko who took out the inner fruit. "Well, I would not know that it had medical uses, but I do know what parts are editable."

"So back to your fiancé." Ryu smiled.

Aiko sighed. "What about him?"

"Well… he told me that he wanted to marry you the night before… and he was so embarrassed. You should have seen him." Ryu laughed. "He was so worried about it; he stayed up all night. He just could not sleep."

"That's sweet." Aiko agreed. "What was he worried about?"

"He just didn't know how you would react." Ryu sighed. "He was scared that you would not love him back. The fear of the 'friend zoned' life."

"The what?" Aiko asked.

"Ok, so the friend zone is basically when you want to be in a relationship with someone and they just want to be your friend. It mostly happens to guys who want to date the girl but they are not interested." Ryu laughed. "I only know this because I grew up on Disney Channel and Nickelodeon."

"What?" Aiko asked.

"Nothing." Ryu sighed.

"So he was actually nervous about it?" Aiko asked. Something inside of her felt warm. Danny was so sweet. This story was just proof of the fact that he loved her. He was scared to mess up their preexisting relationship.

"Yeah, and I tried to tell him not to be, without spilling that you already loved him." Ryu laughed. "It was so hard. And I was just baiting him a little too much. The poor guy. He was so confused. I sat up with him and played cards because I felt bad."

"Besides the fact, you chose to torture your brother. You are not a bad sister." Aiko smiled.

"Hey!" Ryu shot back. "You say that as if I was actually physically hurting him!"

Aiko smiled. "To a young teenage guy in love, you might as well."

"True that." Ryu laughed.

The pair had wondered up to a pond and were standing on the bridge over it. Below them; fat koi fish swam. The water was crystal and a light breeze had picked up.

"I wonder how married life will suit you two…" Ryu said softly.

"I think we will be happy." Aiko smiled down at the water. "I hope so."

Aiko sighed and turned around. She looked up the sky. "I am kind of bored."

"Do you wish Danny were here?" Ryu teased in a sing-song voice.

"I didn't say that," Aiko said quickly. There was an unsettling emotion present a Ryu's joke.

"So you don't want him here?" Ryu pressed on.

"I didn't say that either." Aiko felt her face getting a little red.

"Speak of the devil…" Ryu muttered.

Aiko looked around and sure enough, Danny was right at the foot of the bridge walking up to meet the two girls.

Aiko smiled. Danny walked up to them and also gave her a pleasant smile.

"I'm sorry you had to wait." He apologized right away.

"It's fine. I understand official stuff comes first." Aiko replied softly. Butterflies played around in her stomach.

Danny smiled. "Good."

Ryu turned and smiled at the duo. "Is this the part where you tell me to leave because I make some off-handed comment about your relationship."

"Yes," Danny said sternly.

"I'll just see myself away then, the sun is getting higher, I could use a nap." She said turning on her heels. "Have fun you two."

The pair watched Ryu go, waiting for her to call something over her shoulder but it never came.

"What was the meeting about?" Aiko asked. "Are you allowed to tell me?"

"Some political stuff, mostly. I was asked if everything is ready for the banquet. And everything is." Danny smiled. "I am looking forward to it."

Aiko just smiled. She took a deep breath and let it out.

She looked down at her hands. Which Danny reached out and gently took. "Is something wrong?" He asked softly.

"No." Aiko sighed.

"Aiko, I know you well." Danny began.

"Right." Aiko sighed.

"Honesty is the highest form of intimacy." Danny recited. "So please, tell me what is bothering you."

"I am just nervous." Aiko sighed. "This is a lot of pressure on me, Danny. I haven't been preparing for two years. It's hardly been a few days. I just… I don't know…"

"It's ok. I am assuming now that you and Ryu have had some time to talk, you have got to hear about my past few weeks." Danny sighed.

Aiko had to giggle at this. "She mentioned it."

"How much did she mention is the question?" Danny smiled at Aiko, thankful for her to be a little more relaxed.

"Um… she mentioned that you invited her to come in on you every time you had a guest." Aiko started off.

"That is true." Danny smiled.

"What was your reasoning to that?" Aiko asked softly.

"People are still… apprehensive of her… I figured she would scare off most people when they realized that she lives in the palace and they would see her a lot. Honestly, Ryu means a lot to me. They didn't seem to understand that they would have to put up with her." Danny sighed. "So it wasn't really me saying no to them. Some girls are snotty."

Aiko laughed. Danny let go of her hands seeing as she had calmed down. "A lot of suitors on my end seemed to forget I have different rights than most women. They were interested in me because I am a noble. It was horrible, Danny."

"I can imagine. It's not hard for me to treat you the way you want because I always have." Danny smiled.

"Yeah I guess so." Aiko smiled.

"Would you like to get out of the morning sun?" Danny asked.

Aiko looked up. "I didn't realize there was much sun out with Ryu, she was acting fine."

"Wearing longer robes protects her more. But she still avoids the middle of the day. Also, there is not that much yet. Ryu will be asleep within an hour in her room." Danny supplied.

"I have been meaning to ask you about a few things." Aiko sighed. "First off; is everything going well with Ryu?"

Danny smiled as he started to lead her to a covered pavilion. "She is doing well. The palace staff who see her most are used to her by now, only because they see her every day. And the tutor I have hired for her is also used to her. When she skips he reports it to me. I've asked him about it and he thinks of it as an honor to teach her, as much as a pain she can be time to time. But people who have only come in once or twice from the time I was crowned, they do not think much or her. Her appraisal of it is the 'Pet to Pest Range.' It is honestly one way to describe it."

"And how does that work?" Aiko asked.

"They treat her like a child, undermining her abilities and intelligence. Or when they think I am not looking, they sneer at her and give her hateful looks." Danny sighed.

The pair approached the pavilion and Danny took a seat at the table. Aiko sat across from him.

"Oh, I guess that is ok." Aiko sighed. "Um, the second question; what is our excuse for being together as much as we are? Ryu brought it up. And while gossip is frowned upon and all. I am honestly worried a little something might spread. Like what do we tell Kasumi and Hiroshi if they ask before the wedding announcement?"

Danny calmly cleared his throat. "The honored Lady Aiko, Daughter of Thunder, has been tasked with the most important task of being placed in charge of the search that goes on concerning the whereabouts of the mage with the known ability to create a Dragon Lord."

"Someone already asked didn't they?" Aiko sighed, she folded her arms and put them down on the table."

"Yes." Danny sighed. "But, Ryu mentioned it and I thought it up before someone asked."

Aiko smiled. "Am I honestly in charge or is that a story?"

"A story, I am taking the charge in this. It's nothing about anyone, it's just I want to do this by myself." Danny sighed. "Ryu is my sister. I want to make sure everything is going as smoothly as possible."

Aiko smiled at him. "Aww. You are so sweet."

"Thanks," Danny smiled back.

"Hey, so third question," Aiko said quietly. Her joy and warm feeling at the fact Danny cared so much for Ryu slowly started to fade away. "It's about something during your coronation."

"What is it?" Danny asked.

"You mentioned that you forsake the outside world. Danny…" Aiko trailed off. "Are you feeling ok?"

Danny sighed. "That part…" He looked up at the covering.

"Yeah… that part…" Aiko repeated.

Danny folded his hands together. "Your father helped me with that. He helped me write what to say…"

"That is not what I mean…" Aiko sighed.

"You mean how I could say all of that so easily and pass 'The Final Say' spell?" Danny clarified.

"Yes." Aiko nodded. "But what about the spell?"

Danny sighed. "Your father warned me; if I still held a connection to the outside, a strong enough one, there was a chance that the spell would reject me as unsuitable. I was scared that it would happen."

"If the spell rejected you… what would have happened?" Aiko asked.

"Best case scenario?" Danny sighed to himself. "I would have passed out." He played with his thumbs. "You were up close, what did it look like when the spell was over?"

"You were uneasy; you were shaky… you looked to be in pain." Aiko aid softly.

"I was so scared of passing out, in front of everyone. If I did… I do not think I would be able to live with it." Danny admitted. "Everything I experienced in that moment…"

"What was it?" Aiko asked.

"Nothing." Danny sighed, he gave his head a shake to clear it. "But this is off topic. I was only able to pass it because of a loophole your father provided me. Daniel Thomas Rand-K'ai has nothing left in the outside. Ryu is here and she was the only thing that held him to the outside. So he could pass the spell."

"Where are you going with this?" Aiko asked. She had decided to let it go about what he had experienced… he didn't have to share that if he didn't want to.

"Iron Fist," Danny smiled. "Still has much in the outside if the need of him to return were to ever arise. He has ties and many allies there."

Aiko smiled. "And it worked."

"Yes." Danny smiled.

"I guess you are also on the whole keeping up appearances thing too." Aiko side calmly.

"What?" Danny asked.

"You want a good image of yourself," Aiko explained. "If you were rejected, then you said you would be embarrassed. And you were worried about it."

"I just want to do the best I can. I want to be a well-liked king." Danny sighed. "It is better to be feared than loved; if you cannot be both. Niccolo Machiavelli."

"Who?" Aiko asked.

"I learned about him in a history class and was able to get a copy of his book," Danny said easily. "It's about how to be a king. I don't agree with everything. But it is still interesting."

Aiko smiled at him. She laughed a little and just watched him.

And he watched her back.

The quiet was peaceful and wonderful. Just the two of them.

"I love you…" Aiko muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" Danny asked quickly.

Aiko looked up at him and sure enough, the smile told her that he had heard her perfectly but wanted to repeat it.

Aiko sighed. "You are infuriating."

"You didn't say that…" Danny frowned.

Aiko looked down at her lap. "I love you."

Danny smiled. "You too."

PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW!