~Disclaimer: Sadly I do not own the Rurouni Kenshin characters

~Disclaimer: Sadly I do not own the Rurouni Kenshin characters. (-_-) They belong to Watsuki Sama!!! And I am also glad that the real characters are in his hand for I could never do them justice.

It was a peaceful morning at the Kamiya  Dojo. Kenshin was out back doing laundry, Yahiko was outside practicing, the Rooster (aka Sanosuke) was lounging out back keeping Kenshin company, and Ayame and Suzume were playing happily outside, as well . Kaoru was off at one of the other dojos giving lessons and wasn't 'suppose' to be back until late.

            A small cloud in the sky flew in front of the sun casting a shadow on the small peaceful place and all….was…..well.  It was … so peaceful ….so ….quiet….So Peaceful.  Kaoru suddenly appears running through the Dojo yelling excitedly about something!!!!

"KENSHIN!!!!! SANOSUKE!!!!! YAHIKO!!!!! COME HERE QUICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

All of their heads turned in the direction of the excitedly panting Kaoru who was totally out of breath.

"Kaoru Dono???" Kenshin question with a raised eyebrow.

"Hey, Jo Chan, what's got you so excited?" Sano questioned in similar manner.

"MuST!…….(pant)…..GO…..EXCITING…!!! MUST…. DO…!!….HERE!!…HOLDIN….. MUST GO!!!"

"Woh, Jo Chan, clam down there a moment and catch your breath," Sano said hopping up to go were Kaoru was. Kenshin, after cleaning the last sheet, did the same, only he brought her some fresh water to drink to help her cool off, and Yahiko somehow found his way over there, leaving Ayame and Suzume playing out font.

Kenshin was getting very curious as to what made Kaoru so excited that she ran herself ragged to get there and tell them. After taking a sip of the water Kenshin presented to her, and waiting a while so she could catch her breath and so that her head would stop spinning Kaoru finally seemed ready to speak. …..But then she just fell backwards and started to grin and giggle. Kenshin became Oro faced and fell over as well. "There, there, Kaoru," Kenshin said trying to calm down Kaoru. "Now, now! Stop giggling and tell us what's got you so excited."

"Yeah, Jo Chan. It's bad manners to get people so curious and then die of laughter in front of them." Sano pointed out.

"It is as Sano says, Kaoru Dono." This was greeted with even more giggles. "Oro, oro?"

Through a mass of giggles Kaoru finally managed to get out, (giggle interruptions not included) "I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm so giddy. I'll attempt to settle down now." Kaoru sat up and went into a meditative state, calming herself. Until finally she could speak clearly.  " I just came from town and I saw that this European performers group was going to be in town and is looking for Japanese actors because only a few of them can speak the language well. The pay is good so I wanted us all to go down there tomorrow and audition!!!! DOESN'T THAT SOUND EXCITING!??!" Kaoru excitedly said. Sano, Kenshin, and Yahiko are seen sneaking away from Kaoru. Kaoru D-eyed dashed in front of them, "and WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING!!! YOU'RE GOING TO DO THIS  whether you like it or not!!!!"

"B.. b…but, Kaoru Dono??" Kenshin started pointing a finger towards his face, "I'm no good in front of an audience."

"I ain't doin no prissy play for anything, NO WAY IN HELL," Sano said shaking his head.

"Ano…, I have work all the next few months at the Akabeko," Yahiko lied.

"Excuses! Excuses! Excuses!! You three are coming with me or I'll never feed you freeloaders again!!!" 

"K…Kaoru DONO??" Kenshin Pleaded, but it was no use. When her mind was set this firmly she wasn't going to take no for an answer.

"Besides it's not like you bums have anything better to do. You three could stand a little culturization!" 

"But, there's plenty we do! I need to finish the laundry, that I most certainly do! And the dojo needs rewaxing, that it does. Isn't that right Yahiko???"

"OOOOHHH THAT IS A Definite YES!! It will take several days……. No time for .. whatever it is!! None whatsoever!!"

"………Himura Kenshin," she turned angrily towards Kenshin backing him into a wall with one of her evil D-eyed glances, "…….Sagara Sanosuke" Kaoru did the same to him, "…….Myojin Yahiko," double ditto on this.

"Ma'am?" they all three questioned at once, hiding behind poor Kenshin holding him up as a shield.

"Now, now, Kaoru, be reasonable, that you should!" Kenshin grinned warily as Kaoru advanced.

Suddenly Kaoru changed tact. She sat down right there were she was looking all round eyed and pitiful, "I'm sorry, (sniff) it's ok (sniff) I'll just go by myself and be all alone (sniff). No friends (sniff) surrounded by all those weird foreigners."

Kenshin was about to snap seeing her act this desperately. "Well," he began regretfully with Sano and Yahiko motioning negative ~No no, no,NONONONONo! don't give in~ signs and noises behind his back, "if your that excited about this and you really want me to come… with you and audition … I guess I could come, that I could."

"Really, for me?" Kaoru asked questioning up at him, with Sano and Yahiko in the background thinking that's it we've all lost now!! 

Kenshin nodded.

"OH THANK YOU KENSNIN!!!!!!!!!!!!" Kaoru said leaping up to hug Kenshin around the neck, to which he gave out an oro. "And how about you two?" Kaoru asked smiling still hanging onto Kenshin's neck.  Yahiko and Sano looked at each other, and then back at the Kaoru who had now released Kenshin and was now smiling right at them.

(later that day/sun is setting)

"KENSHIN! You weakling! How could you succumb to her whim, then help her convince us to come along too?"

"I'm sorry, that I am, but it just happens," Kenshin replied looking downcast at his feet as he shuffled them sitting down on the front porch area.

"Well, thanks to you I'll see you two tomorrow at the auditions," Sanosuke said as he got up to leave. "Oh yeah, before I forget," Sano said and walked to the door where Kaoru was inside, "HEY, JO CHAN! What's the name of this play were auditioning for anyway?"

"It's a beautiful play by William Shakespeare!" Kaoru replied from within, then walked up and opened the door.

"S…Shakespeare?" Kenshin said shocked turning around to glance at Kaoru!

"Umhum. I believe it's called Romeo And Juliet!!!"

Kenshin flopped over, "…OroroOoOo!"

"Something wrong, Kenshin?" Kaoru asked.

"Nothings wrong, I just have a weird feeling about this," Kenshin said picking himself back up and smiling.

"Ok, so long as it doesn't get in the way of your performance tomorrow."

" Romeo and Juliet, Huh? Sound like one of those sissy little love-dove plays. Oh well, since there's no way that I can get out of it I guess I can't get out of doing this. See ya, Jo Chan, Kenshin, Yahiko."

"Bye! .. I better see you tomorrow." Kaoru said with a threatening smile on her face.

"Ch…." Sano said as he walked off.

The three remaining people sat there For a little while without speaking. Then suddenly Yahiko stood up and yelled out, "HAAHAA I'm not worried!! I just know I'm going to get the lead role!!!"  ~~~~!!!BBBAAAAMMMM!!!!~~~~  A large bump appears on Yahiko's head where Kaoru hit him.  

"Don't get to cocky! I don't think that there's any way that YOU could get the lead role in THIS play!!" Kaoru yelled.

"OH YEAH!!!! AND HOW YOULD YOU KNOW, UGLY!!!? I'VE GOT PLENTY OF TALENT!!!"

"I've got more talent in my little finger than you have in your whole body!"

"Oh Yeah, UGLY!!!!"

"A Contest Then!!!! There are two lead roles in the play I hear and who ever gets them wins!!!"

"What will you give me when I win?" Yahiko smirked

~!BAAM!~ "As IF!!" Kaoru roared, "I have an idea! The winner gets a free meal of their choice, complements of the loooossserrr!!!!!!!"

"I'll hold you to your word!!"

"KENSHIN! You're going to join us too!" Kaoru smiled at Kenshin.

"I… I am??"

"Yeah!!! It'll be fun!!"

"…..oro…. ok."

"It's a deal then!!! Who ever wins gets a free MEAL!!!!" 

"…….Oro."

….. to be continued…