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

A/N: Ok, Fluff, Fluff, Fluff. And then Ryu. I think this is one of the best chapters I have so far for this story. So I honestly hope everyone enjoys this. So here is how my break has been going: I'm going to update! Nope, cleaning room. I'm going to update! Nope, visiting family. I'm going to update! Nope, getting completely sidetracked for an hour. I'm going to update! Life: Yeah... No.
I'm so easily distracted when on break. It's awful. I've come up with loads of story ideas. But I haven't written them. And I have not updated.
So... I am forcing myself to focus. And that is the constant lie I keep telling myself. *sigh* Here it is, Enjoy!

Reviews:

ArtemisBAMF1218- Merry belated Christmas to you too. I had some fun and I got the cutest Marvel Tsum Tsums! Guardians of the Galaxy! Yeah, Piper is one the list, right after a thousand other ideas. I swear, I can't focus over the break.
Yeah, you pretty much got Ryu to enjoy. She brings much-needed intervention and fun when things are stressful. She's a fun character.
It's official! Danny and Aiko. Ryu makes a comment later about that. It's cute. Anyway.
You should hurry up and read this chapter. Fluff Guaranteed or your Feels Back! I'm really looking forward to hearing what you have to say about it. ENJOY!

TheRandGirl- Well if you are bored I can fix that. Maybe stab someone, inflict some server pain... Nearly kill someone... I SWEAR I AM JOKING!
Yeah, this story is going to be filled with the cuteness that goes into making their relationship work. I'm not much of an artist so I don't think I will get a picture up, sorry. I want to see them too now that you mention it. Anyway, Fluff ahead! ENJOY!

Chapter 7

They party all ended when it was perfectly black outside.

Word would be spread around by the next day. Servants attending the party would tell their neighbors and it would spread like a wildfire.

Servants who worked at the homes of nobles would also overhear the word about the engagement and tell their friends.

Traven keepers would hear.

Word would be around by the next night and everyone in K'un-Lun would be on their way to knowing the name of their new queen.

Aiko sighed deeply as she walked down the hallway with Danny. Her hand in his.

She was going to be famous. There would be no rest for her.

"Is everything thing alright, my love?" Danny asked.

"Everyone will know about their new queen by the end of the week." She leaned into Danny's side. "I'm nervous." Aiko looked up at him. "Are you going to start calling me that?"

"'My love'?" Danny asked. "Yes, I think I will. Why?"

"No reason, I like it," Aiko said looking back down at the path before them. They were heading to the garden to be out under the stars and have some fresh air.

"You will be great, Aiko. I mentioned to your father that I was worried about this. I love you and all. But I didn't want to ask you to marry me and then make your life difficult. I want you to be happy." Danny sighed. "And do you know what your father's response was?"

"No…" Aiko looked up at him.

Danny looked down at her and their eyes met. "He laughed at me."

Aiko couldn't hold back the small laughter at the back of her throat. "What do you mean?"

"He thought I was joking. He told me that if you wanted this as much as I did; you would find a way to make it all work. He said that you are like your brother that way. When life gives you lemons you make orange juice and leave everyone wondering how you did it." Danny smiled.

"He didn't say that last part." Aiko pointed out. "That sounds more like something Ryu would say."

"It is, Ryu said that about us. She was talking about how great a team we are." Danny smiled.

The pair walked outside into the cool evening air.

Aiko took a deep breath in through her nose. "I had a lovely evening." She whispered. Afraid to ruin the beauty that surrounded them.

"I am glad," Danny replied in the same low whisper.

Aiko looked up at the moon. It seemed so light for the hour of the night that it was.

Her stomach was uneasy… as if something would do wrong. Then the thought crossed her mind.

"Danny… I have a question for you." Aiko said softly.

"What is it?" Danny asked.

"So, at your coronation? How many people were caught for trying to kill you?" Aiko asked. "I know this is a bad question and we should enjoy our night. But Hiroshi brought it up and I want to know. And I think, as your betrothed, I have the right to know." She felt her face get warm at the demanding last sentence.

"Only a few," Danny said solemnly. "I think it was no more than ten people in total who were either arrested or escorted out of the palace that night."

"Really?" Aiko asked.

"Yes, I don't think I should tell you about this next part because I do not want to upset you…" Danny looked up at the moon and took in a deep breath in his nose and held it before letting it out of his mouth. "I was attacked. One man got very close to me."

"What?" Aiko asked.

"After dancing with you, my head was spinning as if I were drunk. So, I excused myself to get a breath outside, only for a moment, but I was followed." Danny sighed. "I just felt so heartless because I could not, at the time, tell you the truth about how I felt. I didn't want to ruin it. I had a plan to get settled first. I didn't hear the man following me until it was almost too late."

"What happened?" Aiko asked in horror.

"Your brother, bless him, happened." Danny cracked a sad smiled. "The attacker did not expect someone to follow. So, Davos sacred him, easily disarmed him, and took him out. He asked me if I was feeling well or if I were drunk."

"But… you were at unease because of me?" Aiko asked, one hand covered her chest where her heart had begun to ache and hurt.

"I was just nervous. I don't need to be that way anymore. Because now we can have our happily ever after." Danny looked down at Aiko. "We are ok now."

"I am excited to get to spend more and more time with you, now." Aiko smiled.

"As am I." Danny sighed happily.

"And we get to plan a wonderful wedding." Aiko smiled.

Danny stopped walking. They were standing in the middle of the bridge. "I am looking forward to it." His voice held an upset undertone which Aiko caught onto quickly.

"Hey, what's wrong?" She asked.

Danny walked over to the railing and looked down into the clear water. "Nothing." He said gently.

"Danny, please tell me," Aiko said softly.

"I told you, I've been missing my mom a lot recently since I've been King."

"Yes?" Aiko prompted she walked over to stand by him. She leaned on the railing and looked at him.

"I just wish she was here," Danny mumbled.

Aiko's heart shattered at the first tear that she saw drop.

"She would have loved you so much, Aiko."

Aiko's hand covered her heart as she watched Danny.

She stayed that way for a minute wearing a saddened expression.

After a while, Danny looked up at her and she held out her arms to offer him a hug.

Danny wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his chest quickly. Holding onto her. One hand around her back and the other clutched her hair and held her head.

Aiko felt her face heat up with how close she was to Danny. He had pulled her into a full frontal hug. And was resting his head on hers, even if he was not that much taller.

Aiko easily leaned her head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat. It was a little fast but soothing.

Danny slowly took a step forward and Aiko at the same time a tentative step back, her face burning red still from how close they were.

She felt the bridge railing on her back.

Danny pulled his head back and looked down into Aiko's eyes.

He still held her head in one of his hands. His thumb in front of her ear and his other fingers were in her hair.

He easily pulled her head forward slightly and placed his rough lips on her soft forehead. He gently kissed her. His arm still on her back holding her close.

Aiko closed her eyes and felt her world fill in all the missing pieces. Everything was perfect at the moment.

Danny pulled back after a moment. He rested his forehead on hers with his eyes closed.

Aiko also closed her eyes and could feel his warm breath's contrast from the cold air.

Danny pulled back first. He stepped back from Aiko and noticed the position he had unintentionally put her in. She was against the railing and he had been holding her very close and very tight.

His face burned. "I'm sorry." He mumbled.

"It's alright." Aiko smiled at him.

Danny looked at her for a moment and then his gaze switched and looked slightly past her to the right.

"I need to go, have a good night." Danny quickly took her hand and held it up like he was going to kiss it, but instantly thought better of it and instead gave it a reassuring squeeze before hurrying off toward the palace. Leaving Aiko alone in the garden.

Aiko watched him go, her mind racing.

They had been so close at that moment. And it felt good. Aiko placed her hands on the railing and leaned back looking at the wooden bridge. Wracking her brain for answers.

Why was Danny so embarrassed? They were official now… it was ok for him to hold her close, and for him to show emotions.

Aiko looked up at the sky. "Boys are confusing." She laughed to herself.

"I know right? So, when did you two get on the kissing level with each other?"

Aiko looked quickly to the other side of the bridge where Ryu was walking up to her. Aiko's camera was around Ryu's neck and in each hand was a picture she was shaking.

"What do you mean?" Aiko asked.

"I thought he was just kissing your hand… I didn't know that he had moved to kissing your forehead. I thought you would get a kiss on the cheek or something… I guess it is still a little early for kissing on the lips…" Ryu rambled. "Have you kissed him yet?"

"What?" Aiko asked alarmed.

"Ok… I'll slow down." Ryu looked over one of the pictures and handed it to Aiko.

Aiko looked down at it and it was her and Danny pressed together with his lips on her forehead. Aiko didn't notice she was smiling at the time, but she was in the picture.

"I only took one but I made a magic copy to save your supplies. But I could not help myself." Ryu smiled.

Aiko glared at her. "I want to smack you, upside the head." She mumbled.

"But, Aiko-"

"No! I want you to stop bothering me so much, I can take the occasional teasing, but not this." Aiko held up the photo. Her tone was stern.

"Are you ok?" Ryu asked.

Aiko sighed. "Sorry. It slipped." She sighed. She looked down at the photo. "Thank you. I will cherish this."

"But you just said…" Ryu dropped it. "Never mind. So you guys are kissing now?"

"He has kissed me a few times," Aiko said softly.

"Have you kissed him?" Ryu asked.

"No… Not yet…" Aiko said softly. Her mind was spinning… maybe she should try to give him a kiss back. When they were first engaged at the beginning of the week he wanted to hear her say that she also loved him… maybe he was needing approval…

"Oh, ok…" Ryu said to herself. "Um… so he is kissing your forehead?"

"Yes." Aiko nodded.

"Anywhere else?"

"No." Aiko raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"I kind of liked looking up stuff on the internet in New York and one of the things that always stuck with me was stuff about couples…" Ryu smiled at the ground. "Depending on where a guy kisses you, it can mean different things about your relationship."

"Really?" Aiko asked.

Ryu looked up at her and nodded. "Do you want to know what a hand kiss means?"

"Sure." Aiko gave a nod.

"That is usually admiration. But seeing how common it is here… it is more thrown in with cultural greetings of a lady of high status. Like, a while ago, we got to meet some really important Mage and I saw someone kiss her hand…" Ryu trailed off.

"Who was it?" Aiko asked.

"I think the big one in charge… I can't remember the position or her name. But, apparently, she works closely with Danny. She was really nice to me! She was older too… I would say… in her thirties?" Ryu guessed. "But it was amazing to meet her."

"I know who you are talking about, but I don't know her name… and the position is called 'Mage Ambassador' her job is to keep an eye on people who are born with magic, specifically and distribute them to different cities to work and also assign them to missions." Aiko explained. "It all feeds through Danny, though. So they need to be on good terms. Danny can give her position away if he thinks she cannot handle it, or something happens."

"That's cool." Ryu nodded.

It was quiet for a while.

"Ryu?" Aiko asked. She looked down at the picture.

"Yes?" Ryu looked up.

"What does this mean?" Aiko asked showing her the photo.

"What? The forehead kiss?" Ryu asked.

"Yes." Aiko nodded. "The forehead kiss."

"Oh…" Ryu thought for a moment. "Ok… so… he is serious about your relationship. He is comfortable around you and he really cares about you... uh… he really respects you and wants to be there for you, you know, hold you in high esteem. It also says that he cares about you and will come between you and whatever tries to hurt you."

"Really?" Aiko asked.

"That's what I remember." Ryu gave a nod.

Aiko smiled down at the photo. "I'll take my camera back now." She held out a hand.

Ryu complied and placed the plastic covered camera in Aiko's hands. "Heading home?" Ryu asked.

Aiko nodded. "Yes. I am tired. I will see you later Ryu…"

"Would you like a ride?" Ryu offered. "I can get you there super-fast."

"I don't know…" Aiko said slowly.

Ryu slowly began to change into her dragon form, Aiko smiled and held out her hand which Ryu playfully placed her head in.

"Fine." Aiko sighed. "We can give it one try."

There was a chirping noise in the back of Ryu's throat. An expression of joy if Aiko ever heard one.

Ryu lowered herself allowing Aiko to get onto her back.

Aiko climbed up as gently as she could, and hugged Ryu's long dragon neck as Ryu gave her wings a strong pump and they were in the air.

Aiko closed her eyes as the wind shot past her. It was cold this high up.

Aiko slowly opened her eyes and looked around. It was beautiful. Ryu bolted upward above the clouds and Aiko daringly reaching one hand up and her hand passed through a cloud.

Aiko smiled as they stayed this way. It was amazing.

Ryu let out a dragon call and Aiko quickly held back onto her neck as Ryu dove down towards the earth.

Aiko felt her hair flying behind her and she clung to Ryu for dear life.

After only a few sounds Ryu landed and gave a gentle shake to get Aiko to look around.

Aiko could not get off fast enough.

Ryu slowly morphed back to human. "Ouch. Danny's ring was pressed against my neck!" She complained. A hand was cupped over her neck where the ring would have been.

Aiko looked down at the ring that was on top of her dress. "Sorry about that."

"It's fine," Ryu said. She spread out her wings once more. "I'll likely see you tomorrow!"

And with that, she was gone.

Aiko smiled and let herself into the house.

Māmā smiled at her as she came in. "You are back rather late. Did you and Danny have a fun night?"

Aiko reached to the top of her dress where she had stashed her picture. "Yes, we had a good evening."

"What is in your hand?" Māmā asked walking over.

"Just a picture. I showed you how the camera works right?" Aiko asked.

Māmā smiled and nodded. "A wonderful tool."

She took the picture from Aiko and looked it over. "So he kisses you?" She asked.

"Yeah…" Aiko blushed. "He's only kissed me on my forehead a few times."

"He must really love you." Māmā smiled. "You are one lucky girl."

Aiko nodded. "I guess I am."

Māmā handed back the photo. "You better run off to bed. We can talk in the morning… unless you need to talk about something right now?"

"No, Māmā." Aiko smiled. "I have a lot on my mind but we can talk in the morning. I need some rest."

"I love you, sweetie," Māmā called as Aiko started to head towards her room.

"You too, Māmā," Aiko replied.

Aiko walked to her room and changed into a nightgown. She laid in bed looking at the photo.

Aiko sighed. Her mind thinking about everything that evening…

But one thing came up… was she the right type of girl? Was she too outgoing?

Aiko shook her head and laid the picture down on her night table. Blowing out the candle.

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