Hey y'all! Sorry it's been such a long time since I updated, but I've been so crazy busy and I kinda forgot all about my stories. Complete craziness Hopefully I'll be able to update on a regular schedule now

Disclaimer: Don't own RK.

Much thanks to those who reviewed so long ago:

Drawkcab, cyji, flaming-amber, erica6060, mika, reignashii, victoria, and night-owl123.

Thank you!

FYI:

Yuki snow

In Times of War and Peace

Chapter 5: Discussions and Plots

Yuki Castle stood between two mountains, it and all of it's surrounds covered in snow. The castle itself looked deserted, for there was no movement around it's outer door. Even the large town nearby seemed empty. Shutters were closed, street lamps were unlit, and there was not a single soul out in the streets. The only signs of life were the tendrils of smoke that drifted out of the chimneys.

Horse hoofs came rushing through, their noise echoing throughout the entire town. Alone on this dark, cold night a man passed through the town heading straight for the castle bringing important news.

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Prince Kenshin was glad to be back home at Edo Castle as he relaxed in the warm bath. For the last hour he had been in a nerve racking discussion with his Uncle Hiko, the King. It seemed that he was not to happy about the agreement Kenshin had made with King Kamiya. His Uncle had turned remarkable red from anger and had begun to shout names at Kenshin, calling him a worthless idiot and so on. Kenshin didn't care, he just stood there trying not to laugh at his Uncle's red face. Saitou, the High Lord, finally put a stop to the argument by pointing out that nothing could be done about it.

"Stupid Uncle," Kenshin muttered to himself, "He shouldn't complain. He sent me after all. What did he expect?"

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Two guards stood if front of the large metals doors, protecting the castle from whatever came their way. As the horseman approached, they drew their swords, ready to skewer him if he made the wrong move.

"Wait!" the man cried out, "I bring news for the King! His Majesty has been expecting me."

One of the guards grunted. Slowly, the two sheathed their swords, pulling back the heavy metal prongs that locked the door.

The doors opened and there stood a man. The horseman did a quick bow.

"Greetings High Lord Kanryu," he said, "I bring the news his Majesty requires."

High Lord Kanryu smiled, "Good. Follow me."

Kanryu led the tired messenger through a number of halls, stopping at a grand looking door.

"King Yukishiro has already retired to his chamber. He will not be happy to be woken, so make what you have to say quick and to the point."

The messenger nodded.

Kanryu nodded to a guard who stood in front of the door. The guard knocked, waiting for a response.

"Enter," came a sleepy reply.

Kanryu entered first, bowing to the King, "Sorry to bother you, but a messenger has brought news about the enemy."

The King's eyebrows shot up, "Really? Pray do tell me."

The messenger bowed, "Well your Majesty I have just come from Mizu Castle, where I was pretending to be a servant as you requested. I thought it best to inform you that Prince Kenshin of Edo has been there to talk about an alliance."

King Yukishiro nodded, "It is as we thought. So tell me, what have they decided?"

"You may be surprised to here this Your Majesty," the man replied, "Prince Kenshin has offered one hundred of their finest men in return for King Kamiya's youngest daughter."

Yukishiro laughed, "That boy is a dense as ever I see. Always trying to get women. Well, this is most interesting. Interesting indeed."

There was a moment of silence as the King sat deep in thought,

"Kanryu."

"Yes sire?"

"Make sure this man is given a room to spend the night. See that his every need is gotten. Tomorrow he shall return to Kamiya as a servant."

The two men bowed, wishing the King a peaceful slumber.

King Yukishiro wouldn't be sleeping tonight though. He would be too busy plotting his revenge.

Alright, as lame as this chapter is, I had to start moving the plot AKA introducing the bad guy. I promise we'll be back to Kenshin and Kaoru in the next chapter. Review!