I'm really hoping that you're all enjoying this. I know I keep saying this, but it's totally true. I love that some of you are sticking with me through this. I wouldn't give you a chapter if I didn't think you wouldn't like it. Hell, if I didn't like it, I would delete it on the spot- all my hard work be damned. I want this to be the best for my awesome readers.
So here's chapter 6. May you be happy in your readings. (Smiles)
And I still don't own Rurouni Kenshin. Drat.
That night was the first concert of his continued tour. Kyoto. Kaoru hadn't been here in forever, but it was still the same as she remembered it. On the way to the center where the concert was being held, Kenshin and Kaoru had gone over everything with Aoshi; all of their bases were covered.
Kaoru stood in the dressing room with Tomoe as Misao sat on a bench and applied the appropriate makeup to Kenshin's face. He'd gotten dressed earlier but Misao had a cloth of his clothes, making sure they didn't get ruined on her account. He wore a tight white shirt and black slacks while a sliver chain hung around his neck.
Misao wore a simple skirt and jacket combination while Tomoe wore a cocktail dress. Kaoru went with comfortable clothing. Her jeans hung tightly around her hips and her shirt was more loose than tight, but not enough to hide her curves. They were all very different tonight.
"I will never get used to this," he sighed as the smooth brush ran against his cheek. "Out of everything, this is the one thing I would gladly say goodbye to."
"Awe, but you look so good in foundation and eye shadow." Kaoru teased. He flipped her off as he looked at her through the mirror, and she laughed. "So how is this working?" She asked as she turned towards Tomoe. "If we need to get him off the stage, do we have a distress signal or something?"
"You tell us," Tomoe replied. "What do you want to do?"
"Well, I don't want to run and tackle him to the ground." She made a face and Kenshin laughed. "I'll figure something out," she sighed.
Misao finally finished and Tomoe looked at her watch, "almost time to go." She pointed to the closet. "Go find your jacket and put on your shoes." She turned to Misao and helped her out of the room.
Kaoru watched as Kenshin rose from his seat. He turned to face her as he walked in her direction. He gave her a soft smile as he walked passed her and into the closet.
"You know, sometimes I really hate wearing all of this," he commented from within the room. "It gets so hot on stage, and black leather doesn't exactly make it any better."
"I'm sure your fans would pay more to see you in fewer clothing." She smiled.
He stuck his head out of the room. "And that would never happen."
She laughed as he walked out of the room moments later. Kenshin made his way to her side as he held out his hand. "Ready?"
She looked at his face and then at his hand. "Uh, sure." She grabbed his outstretched hand. Kaoru thought he would break contact as soon as he could, but he kept hold of her hand as they walked out of the room and down the halls.
Passing VIP guests and employees, they made their way to the side of the stage. "Stay here with Misao and Tomoe," he smiled softly, reluctantly releasing her hand and walking out on stage.
He should be an actor. She thought. He was pulling off this relationship act really well and sometimes she question if he was being sincere or not. Probably not.
The fans went crazy at the sight of him. Tomoe leaned over and whispered into her ear. "Crazy, aren't they?"
She smiled at the woman. "Not too much," she admitted. She'd seen much worse. "It's great that he has such a support system. I think it really means something that they would come, in spite of the fact that they know he's a walking target." They hadn't exactly hidden it from the public.
They stopped talking as Kenshin breathed against the mic. "Hello Kyoto!" The crowd screamed his name and other things that were incoherent against the roar of voices. "First, I'm sure you've all heard of the news of my new relationship status," he began. The crowd gave mixed emotions. Some booed her whiles others cheered her on. The negativity seemed to be lost to him; either that or he was ignoring it. "I actually have a surprise for you tonight." He announced.
Kaoru's eyes widened as she looked at the two women beside her. "What the hell is he doing?"
"I think he's about to introduce you to his fans," Misao breathed, surprised.
"Can I opt out of this?" She asked as she backed away from the stage.
"I'd like you all to meet my girlfriend," she heard Kenshin say, though her mind couldn't accept the words just spoken. "She's here with me tonight. You'll be the first to meet her." He grinned.
The crowd gave him a positive response as they screamed their encouragement.
Kenshin held out his hand out to her, but all Kaoru could do was take another step back. "Give us a minute," he told his fans, "she's not used to such an awesome crowd like you." They all clapped as he walked towards her.
Kaoru shook uncontrollably as he reached her side. She couldn't do this; this was not in the job description.
He ran his hands up and down her arms, trying to soothe her nerves. "You okay?"
"I can't do this," she confessed to him, her voice small and timid. "I'm about to throw up I'm so nervous."
Kenshin gave her a sympathetic smile. "Nothing is going to happen," he tried to reassure her as he wrapped his arm around his waist, supporting her weight. "You can do this." He tugged her gently with him back out onto the main stage. Her face turned crimson in the spotlight; all the while, fans cheered and clapped for her.
She couldn't take it. Turning into his shoulder, she hid her face trying to collect her rapid breathing.
"It's okay," he whispered into her ear.
"It's not," she whispered back, her voice a little muffled by his clothing. "I'm about to pass out."
"I'm surprised you'd admit that to me." He pressed his lips against her hair, giving his fans what he wanted to see.
"It's less damaging to my ego."
He gave a small chuckle. "This is Kaoru," he introduced as his arm tightened around her. "She's a little nervous, so we won't torture her too much." He leaned down and whispered to her again, "turn around and wave." She did so, reluctantly, and fans waved back at her. "Now, what do you say we get this show started?!" He yelled. Another round of cheers went up and Kaoru couldn't help but smile. Kenshin took her back to Tomoe's side.
"I wish you'd tell me next time," she commented as she took Kaoru out of his arms.
"Why?" He asked, not sounding even slightly interested.
"So I could get her ready properly. Jeans and a t-shirt is not the appropriate attire for introducing the world to your significant other."
Kenshin opened his mouth but Kaoru, slowly but surely recovering from her nerves, stepped up. "You two can talk about this later. Go have fun." She smiled, lightly pushing him back onto the stage.
"I told you she wasn't even pretty," a VIP guest said to her friend as Kenshin started his first song.
Kaoru tensed at the words before she felt an arm wrap around her shoulders. She looked over to see Tomoe.
"I think you're beautiful." Misao whispered from the other side of her.
"Me too," Tomoe agreed.
Kaoru tried to smile and sound sincere, "thanks." She tried not to cringe as her voice fell far from it's mark. It was hollow.
After the show, Kenshin had to meet with the fans who had paid extra to see him after his concert. Honestly, all he wanted to do was go to their hotel and crash. He was so exhausted, but he had to do this. He grabbed Kaoru's hand as he walked off the stage and pulled her with him as he walked to the meeting room. Entering, he walked to the table in the center of the room and took a seat. One by one, girls claiming to be his biggest fan came to talk to him and get a picture with and of him.
Kaoru stood off to the side, watching him interact with fans even though she knew he had to be exhausted. The shadows under his eyes made them look like they were bruised. She frowned as she heard him clear his throat while talking to a young girl and her mother. This was the fifth time in the last ten minutes. She looked around the room, her eyes connecting with Tomoe's; she waved her over.
"What's wrong?'
"Could you go find Kenshin a bottle of water? I think his throat is dry."
Tomoe's eyes widened before she nodded. "He should have said something," she murmured before walking away.
Kaoru looked back at Kenshin - he was still with the girl and her mother. Poor guy. This was going to take forever.
Tomoe came back just as quickly as she had left. She lifted the water bottle from her side and handed it to Kaoru. "Here you go." She smiled before she went back to her place by Misao's side.
She sighed as she walked over to her 'boyfriend' and placed her hand gently against his shoulder.
Jerking at the unexpected contact, he looked back. He stood up from his seat as he gave her a slightly worried look. "Is everything okay?"
"Everything is fine," she smiled as she held out the water bottle to him. "Your throat is dry. Drink it."
Kenshin gave her a gentle smile. "Thanks."
She nodded and apologized for interrupting before going back to her isolated spot. She watched as fan after fan slowly made their way to him. She began to doze off when she felt someone grab her arm. Her eyes flew open, as she was ready to attack whoever had dared touched her. Before she could react, she looked into Kenshin's amber eyes.
"Calm down, it's just me." He whispered.
"What is it?" She asked as she looked around. There was only one person left.
Kenshin looked jerked his head in the direction of the lone girl. "That's Nanaka," he said to her, "and she was hoping that you would agree to take a picture with the two of us."
Kaoru's eyes widened in surprise. She didn't think that would happen... ever. She was strangely honored by the request and was certainly not going to turn it down. "I'd love to," she smiled.
He placed his hand at the small of her back as he led her over to the table where Nanaka stood. As the two girls stood side by side, Kenshin walked behind them and slide his arms around their shoulders. They stayed that way until the camera flashed a few times. The yong girl squealed and a hugged the both of them and then she was off. It was finally over. For tonight anyway.
Kaoru's eyes were heavy and she swayed on her feet before catching herself.
Kenshin, who was beside her as they walked, grabbed her arm gently. "Don't pass out on me," he teased.
"Ha. ha." She replied sarcastically.
They walked out of the room and passed another group who had stayed behind to get one more glimpse of the famous Kenshin Himura. "I still don't think she's pretty." The girl from earlier commented loudly enough for the both of them, and some other members of the staff, to hear.
"No," Nanaka replied, slightly surprising Kaoru. "She's beautiful."
Kenshin and Kaoru looked at each other as he smiled. He leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Yes, you are."
Holy monkey toes! I'm like... so impressed with this chapter. Honestly, it wasn't in the direction I had it going and boom- the characters decided they wanted to go their own way. Personally, it's way better than my way, so they can take control any time they want. (smiles).
So are you asking yourself any questions yet? What is going to grow between Kenshin and Kaoru? What's between Kenshin and Tomoe? Does Tomoe have beef with Kaoru?
Fear not, for I have the answers. You might not get them as soon as you like, but you'll get them. (chuckles)
Keeping You Safe is turning into a favourite of mine. Not to toot my own horn or anything (laughs).
Anyway, it's not about what I think (for the most part anyway), so what did you think?
-K