Prompt: cosplay

Fandom: Rurouni Kenshin

Setting: Modern AU, STRIPPER verse 3, (continues "Loophole").

Characters: Kaoru Kamiya, Kenshin Himura, Misao Makimachi

Word count: 999

"…and I can't tell you how hilarious Omine's bachelorette party was. There was this stripper – "

"Misao, please let's talk about something else." Kaoru interrupted her friend's babble with a sigh. As much as she liked Misao's enthusiasm, this topic was off the limits. Because honestly? During these last few weeks Kaoru had learned more about strippers, especially male-strippers, than she had ever wished to know.

"Oh well… yeah, sure. What's with you all of a sudden?" Misao raised her brow curiously and took a generous slurp of her smoothie.

"Nothing," Kaoru looked aside, noting how the rush hour at the College's café was starting. It was afternoon and she and her friend were spending their free period lounging on the couches, attempting to do homework and failing miserably.

"Speaking of nothing, what's up with you and Mr. shy and adorable?"

"…who?" Kaoru looked up, utterly baffled.

Misao flashed a toothy grin and then the little shit nodded to the café's queue – where Kenshin stood in his comfy hoodie and jeans, a ragged bag on his shoulder.

"Nothing! There is absolutely nothing going on between us." Kaoru balked, and shook her head: "No, nada, zilch!

"…oh?" Misao's grin gained a wicked edge; "Ohoho there is! I wasn't so sure because you keep your distance on the campus, but I saw you going clubbing a few nights ago. Well, Sano was there too, but that's given. You never go anywhere without the Rooster."

Oh god, why me…

Then, the situation took a sharp turn left, as Misao stood up and waved; "Oi, you redhead - Himura or whatever - come and sit with us, will ya? Kamiya wants to have a chat!"

Kaoru couldn't help gaping at her friend, utterly speechless.

"Just getting some answers directly from the source," Misao quipped back proudly.

"But, but… that's…"

"Afternoon, Miss Kaoru!"

"Oh, hi Kenshin! Kaoru scrambled desperately, a prominent blush rising to her cheeks. Oh fuck, please kill me now…

Kenshin's answering smile was sunny as he sat down next to her. However, he wasn't given a chance to settle properly before Misao cut in: "Hi there! I don't think we've met before, I'm Misao Makimachi - a first year student. I'm gonna study marketing next year! So, who are you and whatcha in here for?

Kenshin hesitated briefly, before smiling warmly; "Ah, nice to meet you, that it is. This one is called Himura Kenshin that one is, as for the studies… this one is in his second year, or so."

"Or so?" The girls chorused.

"Ah, yes. This one has taken advanced courses during the evenings, as well."

"You have your degree specialization already?" Kaoru asked, a bit spooked by the information. I had no idea he was so studious.

"Accounting, that's so." Kenshin nodded, "This one is hoping to get a internship next summer."

"Woah, accounting… that's like voluntary math…" Misao looked just as stunned as Kaoru felt. However, the little pixie wasn't so easily deterred, and gathered her nerve; "Anyways, I heard you two are it."

"Oro. It…?"

Kenshin's cluelessness pretty much confirmed Megumi's claim that the stripper really didn't get around – at all. Not that the realization helped to quell Kaoru's sudden urge to strangle her friend, and she buried her face in her hands, muttering, "Misao, you are so dead…."

"Miss Kaoru, are you all right?"

"I'm just peachy…" Kaoru sulked, but met his eyes - and her hear skipped a beat.

That look was genuinely caring – and more.

But that's impossible… Kaoru gasped softly, unsure what to think. Until now, she had hoped that it had been just a trick of light, her own ego or Megumi's delusions… But that look wasn't just friendly, it was intimate.

"Oh my god! You are that stripper from Omine's bachelorette party!" Misao suddenly blurted out. It took just a second for Kaoru to get back on the track, and jump to cover the smaller girl's mouth and hiss; "Don't advertise it!

Kenshin, however, didn't bat an eye, but casually sipped his coffee. "It's likely, that it is."

"…err, aren't you embarrassed?" Misao managed to croak.

"Should this one be? It's an honest job that pays the bills, that's all."

"…I guess that's one way to look at it," Kaoru bit her lip, attempting to figure a way out of the conversation. However, released from her hold, the goddamn pixie quickly recovered and grinned in delight: "Omine's stripper was dressed as a cop. You really do that..?"

"Sometimes. Uniforms are a popular request, that they are."

"…now that you have gotten me interested, you have to tell me… what's the most ridiculous thing you have been asked to wear?"

In spite of herself, Kaoru couldn't help leaning forward - and Kenshin glanced at her, before ruefully scoffing and rubbing the back of his neck; "Well, definitely the most uncomfortable one was the Playboy bunny girl costume."

"Wha- really?"

"Fishnets, corset, high heels and all." Kenshin nodded, blushing brightly.

"…erk," Kaoru spluttered, while Misao snorted; "what, really? How did that happen?"

"Oro, ah… Well, it was for a gay couple's bachelor party, of a sort. One assumes they wished to keep it traditional, but didn't care for female strippers. After all, one wasn't requested to wear make-up or padding on the chest. Regardless, the corset was very uncomfortable."

"Uhuh, Kaoru nodded dumbly.

Kenshin's blush was adorable, but his smile was even more charming. Glancing at the clock, he gasped: "Oro! This one is already late, that one is! Miss Kaoru, Miss Makimachi – it was nice meeting you. Bye!"

Staring at his retreating back, Misao remarked slowly: "You realize he is totally crushing on you?"

"Mmh, he is not my type."

"…Kaoru, that doesn't compute. You want a good man - he is studying to become an accountant for god's sake. You can't get any more straight-laced than that!"

"He's a stripper."

"Meh, it's just a job." Misao harrumphed judiciously and elbowed her to the ribs. "Besides, think of the benefits!"

AN: I am absolutely horrible to my Kenshin… first it was just a stripper, then it was pole dancing… and now the Playboy bunny girl costume. Oh god.. *giggles madly* I really have to take some time to draw it…

Also, I find Kaoru's denial hilarious. Not her type, yeah right…