Standard Disclaimers Apply. I don't own Rurouni Kenshin or the song by Pink. No suing please! J
Author's notes:
Those in italics are the character's thoughts.
Auditions
"Whew! What a wonderful morning!" Kaoru Kamiya stretched out her arms and tapped the button of the alarm clock. She woke up quite happily and turned on the radio beside her bed. The music that was playing was the new song "Let the Party Start" by Pink.
She grabbed her hairbrush and held it as a microphone as she sang, "I'm…. coming up so you better get this party started!" She jumped out her bed and started shaking her hips and butt to the music. She gaily fixed the pillows and the cover of her bed as she danced her way in front of the mirror.
"Hmmmm! I have a feeling this is going to be a wonderful day, am I right, eh Kaoru?" She ran the brush she was holding into her long raven hair and gave herself a wink before rushing downstairs to eat.
After a hearty breakfast, she prepared herself to go to school. Her long morning ritual of fixing herself ended after thirty minutes and she was on her way to school. She was in an extremely good mood because of the upcoming auditions.
Still suffering the "last-song-syndrome", Kaoru was slightly dancing on the way to school when she bumped into Misao. "Hey Kaoru! You seem to be in an awfully good mood! So, what's up? Did anything happen yesterday that I should know about?" Misao grinned evilly.
Kaoru rolled her eyes and said, "Oh c'mon Misao-chan… what do you think could happen in my non-existent love life? Besides… oh nothing." She smiled and turned her head away from Misao as she continued to swing her hips to rhythm in her mind.
"Kaoru! Wait up! You are sooo evil! I know you are hiding something… spill it out already!" Steam was already rising out from Misao's head.
"Well… remember-what-Dr.-Genzai-said-about-the-play.-Well-I'm-planning-to-audition!" Kaoru said in a single breath.
"Kaoru!!!!" Misao yelled. "What? Could you like like speak slower so that I could understand you!?" Oh God! Is she also going to audition for the play? What if she become's Aoshi's Sakura. An image of Kaoru and Aoshi hugging crossed her mind. Nooo waaaayy!!! Misao shook her head violently and glared at Kaoru.
Kaoru smiled at Misao's direction, knowing exactly what her best friend is thinking. "Don't worry Misao, I'll be good to Aoshi," She grinned evilly as her eyes glinted with mischief.
"Why you!?" Misao threw three kunais at Kaoru's direction, which she dodged effortlessly.
"Watch it weasel!!!" Sano yelled SD faced as one of the kunais almost hit his precious treasure by a mere centimeter.
Misao clenched her fists when she heard her "beloved" nickname but instead of punching Sano she decided to give him her most angelic smile and said, "Whoops! Gosh, I missed. What a shame!" Misao burst out laughing upon seeing the fuming Sano. "Don't worry Sano I'll get it the next time." She winked as she ran towards Kaoru to discuss their unfinished business.
"Che! What a weasel!" Sano muttered. "Hurry up Yahiko! We'll be late!"
"Yeah! Yeah! I'm coming tori atama!" Yahiko said as he ran to catch up with Sano. "What a morning! Seeing busu's face will sure ruin one's day!"
Kaoru turned around the smile not leaving her face, "Don't ruin my mood Yahiko-chan!" She grinned evilly, "I know what techniques to use and hit you in places where it will hurt the most! Hahahah!" She turned around and headed straight to school with Misao.
Yahiko imagined Kaoru applying to him the "Nutcracker" and he paled, "Chikuso!" Sano leaned down to take a closer look at Yahiko's reaction and said, "Oi Yahiko! Are you okey? You look like you're going to undergo circumcision again." Sano guffawed when he saw Yahiko's flaming face.
"Chikuso! What's up with them?" Yahiko muttered.
"Well, think of it this way… Girls are much scarier when they are in a good mood…"
"Kaoru wait up!!" Misao panted. "Do you really want to audition for Sakura."
Kaoru blushed and replied, "Actually… I really do."
Misao tried to look angry at first but she was unable to contain her laughter, "Che! I don't even know how to act! Actually, to tell you the truth, I am not really into acting… I just want to try out Sakura's part because maybe… just maybe… Aoshi-sama will become my Battousai… and I would truly know how it feels being in his arms." Misao said sadly.
"Misao… we're not even sure if Aoshi will audition for Battousai… But, here's the deal, if ever Aoshi will be the one to play Battousai, I'll step down from the role and give it to you." Kaoru smiled.
"Wait a minute!!! Who said you'll be the one to play Sakura," Misao glared.
"Maa, maa Misao. Do you think students will line up for a play Professor Fujita Goro is producing? I don't think so." Kaoru smirked.
"I guess you are right." Misao said cheerfully.
Later that afternoon, Kaoru and Misao went straight to the mini-theater from their classes. They stopped by the lavatory to fix themselves up for the audition. After their vanity routine, they bumped into Sanosuke and Yahiko.
"Oi Jou-chan! Where are you going all fixed up?" Sano inquired.
Kaoru blushed deeply and nudged Misao. Misao replied, "Huh? Eto… umm… we have a date! That's it! We have a date!"
"….."
Sano and Yahiko sweatdropped. "Who are you kidding weasel? Nobody would want to go out with an ugly raccoon or a weasel for that matter." Yahiko smirked.
"Why you!!! How dare you Yahiko-chan!!!" Misao shrieked SD faced as she prepared to throw her kunais at them.
Kaoru looked at her watch and frowned, Damn! We are going to be late because of this two! Oh well… time to turn the tables… "So were are you two going… huh?"
Sano and Yahiko looked at each other and slowly took steps backwards. "Ano… hehehe… nowhere…" Sano replied as he dragged Yahiko to the opposite side of the corridor.
"Way to go Kaoru! I thought we'd never be able to ditch them!" Misao said happily. They resumed their walking and turned to the corner. They stopped by the door of the mini-theater.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" Kaoru said breathlessly.
"I guess so," Misao said as she pointed to the sign outside the door, which says,
Auditions for "Battousai no Kokoro" held inside. Drop your name in the box corresponding to the role you want to audition.The girls did as they were told. After dropping their names, Kaoru held Misao's hand and sighed heavily, "This is it Misao… the moment we had been waiting for." They looked at each other and nodded in mutual understanding. They both reached out to the handle of the door and together they opened it.
"What the….?" Misao blurted as she looked around the theater wide-eyed. Contrary to what they were thinking, the theater was packed. Men and Women from freshmen year to Senior year were jostling around the pathways.
"I never thought that many people would want to audition," Kaoru said sadly. Tears were forming in her eyes as she shook Misao violently, "Misao this isn't the way it is supposed to happen!!! We were supposed to be the only one interested and we are supposed to be guaranteed the role!!!" Kaoru sobbed.
"Kaoru!!! Settle down!!! You still have a chance… look around you!" Misao said as she waved her right arm to emphasize what she means.
"Yeah, tanuki-chan! Look around you and you will see me… the perfect Sakura. Ohohohoho!!!!" Fox ears appeared from Megumi's head as she turned to walk away.
"Why you!" Kaoru extended her arms to grab Megumi's hair but Misao restrained her and said, "Kaoru… dear… we wouldn't want to show the judges how unrefined we are, now would we?"
Steam was coming out from Kaoru's ears and she opened her mouth to counter Misao's remark but before she was able to talk, a cloud of smoke overwhelmed her senses.
"I see, tanuki wants to audition," Professor Goro suddenly appeared from behind. He eyed Kaoru from head to foot and smirked. "Let me guess, you're here to audition for Sakura." Professor eyed Kaoru once more and puffed out his smoke before he turned around to leave.
"Talk about manners!" Misao rolled her eyes. "Don't let them get to you, Kaoru!!! You can do it!" Misao jumped around and mimicked cheerleader dances. "You can do it Kaoru! Yey! Go Kaoru!" Misao yelled as she waved around her arms and did straddle jumps.
"Ano Misao…." Kaoru whispered.
"What?" Misao looked around and she saw that the whole theater was silenced because everyone was looking at her. "Hehehe. Go Kaoru…" She whispered as she cowered behind Kaoru.
Kaoru motioned Misao to seat at the right wing. She grabbed her hand dragged her through the crowd. "Oooomph!" Misao said rubbing her sore butt, "Hey! Watch where you're…" Omigosh! Déjà vu! Misao closed her eyes as she lifted her gaze. She opened her eyes slowly as her heart was beating furiously. "…You again."
Ice blue eyes stared at her and then they softened, "Sorry, it's the second time this week." He offered his hand, which Misao hesitantly took. Her hand was shivering and cold against Aoshi's warm palm. Aoshi jerked her up causing Misao to stumble all over again against Aoshi's chest.
Oh my! So, this is how it feels in Aoshi-sama's arms. Thousands of bolts ran through Misao's spine as she snuggled herself in Aoshi's chest. She sighed deeply.
"Ano… Miss… You can get off me now." Aoshi said coolly. Misao stiffened and felt her blood rush to her face. She stared at Aoshi blankly… most likely shocked because of extreme embarrassment.
Kaoru saw Misao's predicament and pulled her away, "Excuse her, she's just nervous about the audition." Kaoru yelled in Aoshi's direction. Kaoru gently slapped Misao's cheek and said worriedly, "Misao-chan are you okey? Speak to me!"
"Oh Kaoru! Slap me again! I think I am in heaven!" Misao said dreamily as she closed her eyes to fantasize about Aoshi well-defined body. Hehehe… I wonder what he felt when he bumped into me. Misao blushed as she looked down to look at her breast.
Kaoru grabbed Misao's arm and shoved their way through the crowd. "Misao you pervert! Stop fantasizing and let's… oomph!" Kaoru glared at the person she bumped into. "Omigosh! Sanosuke!??!…"
"What?" Misao immediately turned her head to their direction.
Kaoru turned her head at Sano's right and giggled, "… Yahiko!??" The two girls are unable to contain themselves and burst out laughing.
"What are you doing here?" Misao said teasingly, "I never knew you acted."
"Che! And I suppose you're here to audition for Sakura's pet??" Yahiko snapped.
"Maa… maa," Kaoru said as she stood between them, "Let's just sit down together and cheer each other, ne?"
Suddenly, a real head-turner walked passed them. Sanosuke's jaw dropped and Yahiko drooled. "Who's that babe?" Sanosuke asked.
Misao and Kaoru turned their heads and glared at the girl. Kaoru thought worriedly, Oh no! She would definitely be my rival for the role of Sakura… What am I going to do???
On the other hand Misao thought bitterly, She'll never be Aoshi-sama's Sakura! Hmph!!! Misao shook her head violently and looked down, I bet her boobs are fake!
Misao's thoughts were interrupted when Dr. Genzai and Professor Goro went up the stage. Dr. Genzai held the microphone and said, "Settle down everybody… the audition is about to begin. Auditions for the role of Sakura goes first and then next is Battousai… the other minor roles will follow."
Dr. Genzai and Professor Goro sat at their places facing the stage. Dr. Genzai handed the microphone to Professor Goro and he said, "Hmph… First one to audition… Misao Makimachi."
Misao gasped. Why was I called first?
"Hurry up weasel!"
"Che!" Well, here goes nothing.
"You can do it Misao…" Kaoru said as she patted Misao's shoulder.
Misao sighed for the last time before she stood up and walked towards the stage. When she reached the center of the stage, she forced her body to do a gracious bow. Unfortunately, it didn't go quite as planned, "Itai!" Misao yelped as she tripped with her own foot.
"Baka…" Fujita muttered. Dr. Genzai looked at him quizzically and said to Misao, "Proceed. This is a free stage. Act out anything your soul dictates."
Misao took a deep breath and forced herself to keep a serious face, "Oh Battousai! Thank you for saving me!" She threw her arms at the imaginary character but failed miserably when she tripped at the wire connecting to the boom mic causing a loud and deafening echo. Everybody placed their hands at their ears until the sound died down.
Misao giggled and continued, "Well, Battousai, you see, my name is Sakura Yatonari. I live across the street and… are you hungry? Come on let's go… I can't wait to tell you everything about myself…"
Misao's monologue was cut-short when Fujita rang the bell and said, "Next!"
Misao glared at his direction and yelled, "What the…"
Saitoh raised his eyebrow and muttered sarcastically, "Weren't you finished? Battousai should have been asleep with you nonstop chatter. Next! Megumi Takani."
Misao stomped her feet angrily and stormed out of the stage. On the other hand, Megumi bowed graciously to the audience as she centered on the stage. Megumi raised her eyes and began, "Oh Battousai, my love! You're hurt!" She ran to the right side of the stage and knelt down. She gently stroked the imaginary character's forehead and lowered her ear to his chest. She gave an audible sigh of relief and she looked at the audience. She gathered air in her lungs before she said, "Oh I am glad Battousai is alright."
Pretending that Battousai sat up, Megumi placed her hands in his shoulders and said, "You should rest now. Here take this medicine to help you fall asleep." Megumi waited for a couple of seconds before she faced the audience again, "Now… Battousai is resting." Megumi gave an audible sigh and then stood up, "Ohohoho!!!! Now that Battousai is sleeping I can now check his wounds completely. Ohohoho!!!" Megumi said as fox ears appeared.
The audience sweatdropped.
Megumi kneeled again and pretended to take off Battousai's gi. She was interrupted when Dr. Genzai cleared his throat and said, "That was an interesting show of talent Miss Takani. You may now take your seat."
A couple of hours later, the audition for the role of Sakura was down to two. Dr. Genzai called out, "Miss Aoiya Yasanai, please approach the stage.
Sano and Yahiko stood from their seats as they eyed the lady intensely. Yahiko mumbled, "She's such a babe!" Kaoru and Misao rolled their eyes but still stared at the lady enviously. The lady stood up gracefully and swung her hips gently as she walk.
Sano and Yahiko's head were also swinging to the rhythm of the lady's walking. The lady turned her head and caught the two staring at her. She gave them a wink and they blushed. She walked up the stage. Before bowing, she removed the pins from her hair, allowing it to cascade down her shoulders. The audience were now whistling and cheering for the goddess in front of them.
Meanwhile, Fujita's lips twitched. "You!" He said while pointing at her.
"Yes?" She replied seductively as she fluttered her eyes.
"Why don't you try to look at her busu!" Yahiko teased Kaoru.
"Hmph!" Kaoru said as she hit Yahiko with a bokken. She looked around her and her heart beat furiously. The whole audience seemed to be staring at the lady standing on the stage, anticipating her act. Kaoru felt a large lump forming in her throat.
"Get off the stage." Fujita said calmly. Hearing his words, the audience protested wildly.
"Teme!!!" Sano said as he crunched his fist, walking towards Fujita. Sano was about to punch Fujita when he announced something.
"… the role of Sakura is for women only. Get off Kamatari," Fujita said as he grinned at Sano evilly.
Sano paled and squeaked, "Chikuso!"
Kaoru nudged Yahiko and quipped, "Oi Yahiko! I didn't know you were gay."
Yahiko blushed and lowered his head, "Shut up busu!" A second later, he lighted up and snapped, "Che! Even a guy is better-looking than you!"
Steam rose from Kaoru's head as she whacked Yahiko with a bokken. After her rather violent way of discipline, she stared at Misao who seemed happy. Kaoru asked, "Misao, are you alright?"
Misao grinned and muttered victoriously, "Hehehe! I knew it! Her boobs ARE fake!"
Kaoru sweatdropped.
Kamatari had a hurt expression on her face and walked away from the stage. The audience silenced— stunned because of Fujita's words.
"Well then, time for the last one… Ms. Kaoru Kamiya, please approach the stage," Dr. Genzai announced.
Kaoru eyes widened as she heard her name. She shakily stood up from her seat and walked to the stage. She was so nervous that she felt that it took her forever to reach the stage.
Her mouth went dry as she bowed down to the audience. Her hands were cold, sweaty and shivering. Blood was drained from her head leaving her pale and dizzy. Kaoru was about to faint when a deep rush entered her system and took all the nervousness away.
She closed her eyes and slowly opened them only to find herself tied in a small shack wearing a traditional kimono. She gasped as she saw a man wearing a hat fighting the man she was dreaming of the previous day. She was stabbed by various emotions as she saw the red-head fight the other man with so much hate. It was then that she realized that she couldn't breathe. Her lungs felt constricted and air won't come in.
Kaoru was kneeling on the stage and held her hands together as she fought to breathe. "Damn! I didn't know jou-chan was a good actor." Sano said wide-eyed.
The fight with the man wearing a black hat ended with what the red-head called a battou-jutsu. Kaoru still struggled for air when she heard the man say that the only way for her to live was to kill him.
Kaoru stared wide-eyed as she struggled, "Ahh…ahh…"
The man in the pink gi raised up his sakabattou and flipped it around so that the blade was facing his opponent. "… Now all that's left is to kill you."
Kaoru's eyes were filling up with tears as she tried to say, "Ken…."
Unable to contain the tears, it flowed out as she cried, "Stop it!!!"
The audience was now leaning forward, obviously drowned at the intensity Kaoru was showing. Meanwhile, hearing the cries inside the theater, a figure approached and entered the theater to watch the drama which was unfolding.
The man with violet eyes prepared to strike his opponent but was stopped short of a millimeter as he heard her cry.
"You don't need to be the Hitokiri for anyone! Don't kill!" Kaoru said breaking free from the force preventing her to breath. "…don't" She said weakly as she falls down.
Her savior caught her in time and said worriedly, "Kaoru-dono… hang in there. Please hang on."
Kaoru looked deeply in space and asked, "Please hang on?"
"Are you alright?" Kaoru sat up properly and whispered audibly, "I'm okay… Okay now, that I'm with you." After saying that last line, she felt a gush of wind and her nervousness came back. Looking around the theater, she saw that the audience stood up to applaud her performance. Professor Fujita and Dr. Genzai seemed pleased. Sano and the others were whistling. She took a bow and allowed her eyes to roam around the theater. Looking up at the exit, a man with red hair caught her eye. Squinting her eye to see more clearly, she saw that he was gone. I'm going crazy! I have finally proven it. Kaoru walked down from the stage as Misao greeted her with a hug.
"Kaoru-chan! I never knew you could act that well!?" Misao said cheerfully.
"Neither did I, but something came over me and I felt as if I was actually living out that scene. Too weird." Kaoru shrugged as they walked towards their seats.
~~~~~
Meanwhile, Kenshin exited the theater after he saw the woman's passionate performance. Why does that scene seem to affect me deeply. Nah! Kenshin shook his head. This is just jitters. Well, tomorrow is my first day in school… at least I know where everything is. I would be saved of the embarrassment of getting lost.
~~~~
Preview of the next chapter:
Back to the theater, Professor Fujita announced, "The audition for Battousai is now open. We had made a couple of changes. Aside from testing your acting talent, you are also going to show your skills in handling a katana.
"Can I use my fists?" Sano stood up from his seat and asked.
"What about my bokken?"
"Ahou. I just said swords!"
"Katana will do just fine." Everybody turned around to see where the voice came from.
"Chikuso!" Sano muttered under his breath.
Author's Notes:
Crystal Okamino- Actually, I just based Battousai in "their world's" history books. Although there is no real Battousai in our world, my guess is, like some other a/u fanfics, there is some record about Battousai in their world.
Macy- Kokoro means mind, heart and soul. The play is entitled "Battousai's Kokoro" because they have no record whatsoever of his personal life so Dr.Genzai and Professor Fujita created a story that would explore it.
Rachel and Sakura-chan- thanks for the complement.
Susan and Omochi- thanks for your reviews here and in my other fic.
Gypsy-chan- thanks for always cheering me up in reviews and in emails.
Last but not the least, special thanks to Hana-chan who pre-read this before I post it! By the way.. I changed the title of the play to Battousai no Kokoro just as Hana-chan suggested.
To my other readers…thank you very much! I hope you'd also leave a review!
Ja! On to the next chap!