October 15, 2007

At long last, here is chapter 15. Please note, I am not going to be accurate about a lot of things that were taking place in Japan. A lot of Japanese were very prideful about being pure Japanese, however here I am making it not such a big deal. And there are other things that will be inaccurate… so please remember this is probably the most AU part of the story. Enjoy.

I don't own Kenshin.

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To recap, Kenshin and Kaoru decided to move into the safe house, which turned out to be the Aoiya. In turn they have realized feelings for each other, and now plan to overthrow the Emperor.

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One figure moved stealthily in the darkness, followed by another. They made their way down the street towards the Imperial Palace. The first one raised a hand, signaling for his companion to stop.

"What is it?" A female voice asked.

Turning to face her, the moonlight reflected red hair. Kenshin looked at her with his golden gaze and said, "I just wanted to tell you something. If tonight does not go as planned…"

"What do you mean if it doesn't? Of course it will," Kaoru replied fiercely. Her sapphire eyes flashed with determination.

"Just… I want you to know that I love you."

Kaoru stood there stunned momentarily. Never had she thought the man would actually say the words to her. Yes, they had spent the last few days close together, planning and other such things, but he had yet to say the words, even when they were in the heat of a moment.

Leaning forward, she tilted his jaw and kissed him firmly on the lips passionately. When she pulled away, she said, smiling, "Thank you. I love you too." She kissed him one last time, and then said, "But now is not the time for this… we have a mission to complete."

Smirking at her attitude, the Battousai nodded, "Yes. We do." They continued on their way, not stopping for anything else.

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Flashback

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"I don't want to kill him."

"What do you mean?" Kenshin had replied.

Kaoru looked at him nervously, before hesitantly saying, "What I mean is… I don't want you to kill your father. I think that the worst punishment the man could ever suffer, would be to watch his half blood son rise to the throne to rule his country." A funny look appeared on the red head's face, and she changed her words, "Not that I mean anything against you! But, I mean, he's tried so hard for so long to kill you, determined that he wouldn't have mixed blood in his family…"

"Kaoru, I know you don't mean anything against me. I am beginning to agree with your opinion." He smiled, "I'm sure he would hate to see the daughter of a woman he had killed by my side. However, if he is still alive, how am I to take the crown?"

The two thought for a short time, before Kaoru said, "We could reveal his opium trades. We could make him admit it in such a way that he would have to be removed from the throne. And how much better would it be to have you there when it happens?"

"That sounds promising."

Looking up with her bright blue eyes, Kenshin leaned forward to kiss her gently. Footsteps echoed in the hallway, and the two pulled apart, "Sorry," Kenshin said, "We must continue later."

Just as he had said the words, Hiko slid open the door. Neither of them had expected to see the man.

"I have heard what you two are planning. It is a good idea… but… how do you plan to go about revealing the emperor's evil deeds?"

The two assassins glance at each other, and then Kaoru said, "We will have the king admit it himself. Do not worry Hiko, it will be hard to fail this mission."

"Good luck then," their boss said, and then he turned to leave, "It has been a privilege working with you two. May you be happy in the future."

"Hiko-" Kaoru started, but he had already left. Turning to Kenshin she said, "Well, I guess we might as well get our rest…" Her gaze, however, suggested anything but rest.

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Present

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When they finally made it to the gates, they took note of the guards, and then stepped out into the dim light from the lamps.

"Halt! Who are you and what is your purpose at the palace?"

Kenshin simply glared his golden eyes at the group of men, and said, "I am here to see my father, the Emperor of Japan. If you refuse my request, you will be subjected to the swords of not only me, but that of my companion."

The armor clad men had formed a circle of sorts in order to surround them, and started to get uneasy, "What proof do you have that supports your claims as the Crown Prince?"

"Are my foreign features not enough to prove it? I'm sure you are not oblivious to the half-blooded prince the king fathered are you?"

Kenshin flashed his blade, "And I am also sure you have heard the rumors of said prince being the Hitokiri Battousai." With his blade out, all the guards proceed to back off, bowing deeply, and murmuring apologies, "I expect no interruptions, no interference, unless you wish to loose your life tonight."

The assassin grabbed Kaoru by the wrist, and led her past them and through the gates. Once in brighter light, Kaoru's girlish attire was made known. Kenshin had told her that if she was to become a queen, she must look like one. Her kimono was elegant and pale in color. As the two walked across the grounds and towards the main palace, they were met by no one. Entering the main hall of the palace, they removed their shoes and then proceeded on.

Without waiting for permission from any of the guards around, Kenshin led Kaoru into a room where he knew the king was having a meeting with all the prefecture leaders of Japan. The gold covered shoji slid open with a bang, and heads turned.

"What is the meaning of this!?" The emperor glared with bright eyes at the interruption. However, upon seeing it was his son, he froze. Raising a finger shakily, he pointed, "Y- you! How dare you step foot in this sacred place!" Kenshin shut the door firmly behind him, and ensured that no one could get in from the outside.

"I believe this sacred place is just as open to me as it is to you, Father."

Murmurs spread throughout the room as the many men realize who had intruded.

Kenshin was dressed in black gi and hakama, and was closely followed by Kaoru when he made his way up the room and onto the raised platform his father stood upon. None of the guards had moved to get rid of Kenshin.

"Guards! Seize them!"

None of them moved, "You! Bastard child! What do you want!?"

"I am not a bastard child. My mother was married to you outright. You are just too ashamed to bring up the past." His eyes were fiery as he glared at his father. Kaoru was standing surveying the other men in the room. Her hand rested upon her hip, very near the hilt of her sword. Kenshin had advised she bring it if there were trouble. No one seemed to want to move.

"My king… pardon my interruption…" A man in the back started, "However, why have you never mentioned your son was in Kyoto? We have all believed his whereabouts were unknown."

"Of course I never knew where he was. Not until he arrived in this city!"

"Then why not announce to the people that the prince had returned?" Another man inquired.

The king was getting angry. The people had heard rumors about Kenshin being the Hitokiri Battousai, but none believed it, 'Stupid politicians,' he thought, 'they are oblivious.'

However, he was at a loss for an answer, "Is it not obvious to you!? He is of half blood! No Japanese would ever accept him as a king."

"But he is still the rightful heir, King. One cannot deny a son of the king his place on the throne. He is legitimate." The man who had said that was very hesitant. The Japanese were a prideful people.

Before the king could say anything, Kaoru spoke, "To think that such stupidity exists in our world. Japan has been experimenting with international relations for the past twenty years! You even married a foreigner. And when she gave birth to a boy whose facial features were the only obvious thing Japanese, you basically disowned him! Not only that, but you killed in cold blood."

'She knows.'

Kaoru's eyes opened wide in shock. She had not expected her mind reading gift to work.

'Use it to your advantage Kaoru.'

'Himitsu…' Kaoru thought, 'Thank you.'

Focusing on the emperor, Kaoru spoke again, "You killed my family. You would have had me killed too, but I got out. And now, I am all that is left of the Kamiya."

'Damnit. What is this girl going to do? She has no proof that I killed them. She has no proof!'

Kenshin finally spoke, "I know of your opium trade. Is it not your own law that made the substance illegal? And yet, you ship it in and out of the country."

The people in the room who had been stunned silent suddenly began talking.

"You mean to say that you are a Kamiya?" One asked.

"Opium! This is an outrage!"

"How can we trust an emperor that breaks his own laws! It's abuse of his power."

Kaoru tried something she had not done since the day Himitsu had blocked off her mind from Kenshin and attempted to interrupt the king's mind, 'I wonder why you killed my mother. Is it because she found out about your opium trade?'

The king froze. His face paled. He pointed at Kaoru, "Y-You! You can do that! How dare you!"

"How dare I what?" She asked innocently. Kenshin looked between the two questioningly.

'So king, shall I reveal that you disowned Kenshin outright? That you met secretly with my mother? That you were planning something?'

"Your mother was a whore! I killed her because she was getting in the way!"

All of the delegates stood and began to get angry out of confusion. However, before anything could happen, the emperor flashed a sword and leapt at Kaoru, "And you are in the way too! Die!"

Kenshin unsheathed his sword as Kaoru did, and hit his father upon the hand to make him loosen his hold. The katana clamored to the ground. Kaoru was standing behind Kenshin, her eyes wide. She held her own sword firmly, as Kenshin stared at his father, "You will relinquish your position as king. Do the delegates disagree?"

His sword pointed at his father's heart, Kenshin glared with golden eyes at the rest of the room. Slowly, people began to raise their hand in favor of the movement.

"You cannot do this!" The king bellowed, "It's illegal!"

"Is it wrong to place the next heir on the throne when the current king is breaking his own laws and probably insane? You have admitted to killing this poor woman's entire family. For no real reason."

The man who said it stood in the back, with a very stiff form.

Another stated, "I declare Emperor to be invalid to rule the empire of Japan. From this moment on, the Crown Prince is declared King."

Kaoru lowered her sword and stared at the back of the man she loved. Kenshin lowered his sword as well, and turned to look at her. She grew suspicious for a moment. This was going so easily. She stepped toward Kenshin, but as she did so, the ex-King pulled out a knife, and dug it deep into Kenshin's shoulder, "No half breed son of mine will be king."

Kenshin brought up his sword, and attacked his father, "And no father of mine shall have to see it." His sword was at his father's throat, "Guards, I want him shipped away as far away as he can be taken." He stepped back, and watched as the guards took away the old man.

Lifting up his good hand, Kenshin pulled out the dagger stuck in his shoulder and grimaced. Many people moved to help, however he held up a hand, "I'm fine. No one but my future wife needs assist me. You are all dismissed to return to your respected prefecture. Spread the word that I, Himura Kenshin, now rule. The next week shall be one of celebration. I want anyone involved in opium to be arrested and imprisoned."

All the men turned to look at one another and then stood up, bowed, and made their leave. Once all the men had disappeared, Kaoru rushed to him, and inspected the bloody wound, "Kenshin are you alright? Oh this looks bad! Come on, let's find out where we can get this treated."

The red head nodded, and allowed Kaoru to lead the way.

--

A year had passed since Kenshin rose to the throne. Kaoru had been married to him very soon after, once the wound he had been given was healed. As king, Kenshin had made Japan a more prosperous and productive country. He encouraged individual work, and helped promote exporting goods.

Megumi had been called to the castle to be named official doctor of the palace, becoming the first female doctor in the Imperial Court. She was also the one who announced the King and Queen's first child: A baby boy with eyes a deep purple, and hair like his mothers.

- Alright, sorry if you think this is a lame ending. But I had intended it to be like this in the first place. Although… I didn't think the ending would be so… easy. I dunno. I'm not super happy with it, but at the same time I am. Sorry it took so long for me to finish, but I started it over two years ago and it became very hard to write. Anyway, I'm done with HIS and off to work on my other stories, which are, in my opinion, much easier to work with. Thanks for reading! And please no flames if you don't like the end.

Hotaru