DISCLAIMER: Rurouni Kenshin and Rurouni Kenshin characters are exclusively owned by Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shueisha, Sony Entertainment, Jump Comics and associated parties. Please note, this is purely fiction and for entertainment purposes only. This story is not meant for sale or profit.

Author's Notes: This story is an a/u comedy/romance about Kenshin and Kaoru falling in love. Chibi-angel and Gypsy-chan co-authored this fic. We had a lot of fun working together on it. Hope you like this fic! ^_^

LONELY HEARTS
Written by Chibi-angel and Gypsy-chan
Part Three



"Oh yeah, this is the number to the guy who "saved me," she quipped. "Mou! I could've handled those guys on my own! I am the shihondai of Kamiya Kasshin Ryu! I don't need anybody to "save me". I've been on my own for years and I am doing just fine. I like being alone..."

Kaoru looked down at the number of the piece of paper and sighed, "who am I kidding. I'll never find a man to love me." She took the piece of paper and crumbled it up, tossing it into the garbage can.

==============================

Back at the Indulgence, Sano cheerfully whistles through the restaurant checking its surroundings. As he neared Misao, he noticed from the way she was moping the floor, that she seemed to be pre-occupied.

"Oi Misao, where's Jou-chan?" Sano inquired.

"Hasn't she told you yet? She's taking a couple of days off."

"Really? Why?"

"Oh, she was mugged yesterday," Misao replied in a matter-of-fact way.

"Chikuso! IS SHE ALRIGHT!?" Sano asked rather frantically being worried of his so-called imouto-chan.

Misao was surprised at Sano's sudden outburst. (Weird. Tough guy, eh? Has a soft spot after all. Hehehe.) "Kaoru-chan is okay. She'll be back in a day or two," replied Misao as she headed toward the kitchen.

"Sano, you're already here. I see you're taking your business seriously," remarked Kenshin as he entered the room.

"Kuso Kenshin! You look as if you haven't slept a wink! All you alright?"

"Yes, I am fine," smiled Kenshin. "I just had some things on my mind."

"Oh."

As Sano looked at his watch, Kenshin blushed slightly as he recalled the events of the night before. ("Kami she's so beautiful, I can't stop thinking of her. Better forget about her Kenshin," he sighed. "You might not be able to see her again.")

Sano glanced over to Kenshin. After noticing how spaced out he was, Sano hit Kenshin in the back and yelled, "Kenshin! Still there? Hellooo!"

"Oro? Gomen Sano."

"Now that I've got your attention, let's go to the office and discuss our plans for the restaurant."

After several hours of discussing the restaurant's business, Sano smacked Kenshin on the shoulder and said, "Kenshin you're a genius!"

"Oro!" Kenshin fell to the floor after being hit in the back by Sano.

"A live singer would do wonders for the restaurant!" grinned Sano. I'll be in-charge of auditioning the girls. I do have good taste in women! Hehehe!" winked Sano.

"I have never remembered you being with a woman before Sano," replied Kenshin as he stood up.

Sano face-faulted and turned SD, "Just because you haven't seen me with one, doesn't mean there isn't any!"

"Maa, maa. Okay. Let's set up the stage beside the piano and schedule the audition on Thursday morning since we only open at night. It will give us ample time until the afternoon."

Yahiko overheard part of Kenshin and Sano's conversation. He seemed eager to help.

"Can I help you guys move the piano? I'm really tough and strong you know. Just feel my muscles," he said while raising his left arm and flexing his muscles.

Kenshin smiled as Sano shook his head at his little brother.

"Here you go tough guy, take this paper to the printers. Tell them I need one hundred flyers by 8:00 tomorrow morning."

Yahiko took the paper and looked at it. "We're auditioning for singers? Ewww!! Who wants to listen to some ugly old girl singing some stupid old song? Geez! Isn't there enough ugly girls around this place?"

"That's why we're holding an audition you little twirp," replied Sano as he smacked Yahiko in the back of the head. "We can pick out only the hot babes that can sing. Now take this paper to the printers. Auditions are going to be held on Thursday morning so I need those flyers pronto!"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm going. But the next time you call me "little" I'll take your flyers and shove them in your mouth you big rooster head!"

Kenshin could see an all out war between the two. He placed his hand upon Yahiko's shoulder and said, "Please hurry and take this paper to the printer. We need to get them distributed as quickly as possible."

"Ok Kenshin. I'm doing this only for you," replied Yahiko as he ran out the door.

"If you ever need a little brother, you can always have mine," quipped Sano.

Kenshin chuckled before resuming his work.

By Thursday morning, there were several young women lined up outside the restaurant hoping to get an audition.

Sano and Kenshin eased the curtain back and peeped out the window at all the beautiful women.

"Hmm…. maybe I should hold my own little private audition," said Sano in a hush tone.

Kenshin arched his eyebrow at Sano. "I'm sorry I didn't hear you. What was that?"

Sano chuckled and replied, "Oh nothing. I was just saying that we should really get started with the audition."

Kenshin smiled and shook his head at his best friend and then went toward the door to open it. He and Sano showed all of the ladies into the restaurant. They both sat down, preparing themselves for the audition.

One young woman stood before them in a micro-mini skirt and low cut blouse showing plenty of cleavage.

"Tell us a little about yourself and why you want this job," asked Kenshin.

The young woman smiled and said, "I'm twenty years old and I love to sing. My goal is to become a famous singer one day. That is why I need this job. I figure the more people hear me sing, the better chances of me being exposed to the public."

Sano leaned over and whispered to Kenshin, "In that outfit, she definitely got the "exposed to the public" part right. (Heh, heh, heh)

"Shhh… You're suppose to be concentrating," he replied in a hushed tone.

Kenshin cleared his throat and said to the young woman, "That is a very nice goal you have. I hope you will get discovered one day. You may begin singing now."

The young woman smiled widely and began singing off-key.

"What a girl needs,
what a girl wants…"

"Opps! Sorry, that's not how the song goes," she said while blushing from embarrassment. "May I start again?"

Kenshin and Sano nodded for her to start over. The young woman looked at the piano player and began to count.

"and a one and a two…..
What a girl wants, what a girl needs….
Is a man that she can please…. "

"Opps! Sorry again. That's not how the song goes either. I don't know what's the matter with me today?"

"Would you like to try it again?" asked Kenshin.

The young woman nodded and then reached down her chest and pulled out a piece of paper.

"Okay I'm ready," the young woman said. "I have the words to the song now."

Sano and Kenshin looked at each other. Kenshin blushed crimson in color before covering his eyes. Sano smiled and said, "I think your goal of being exposed to the public is happening now."

The young woman looked down and saw that her blouse had popped open. She blushed furiously while wrapping her arms around her chest trying to cover herself.

"I'll…. I'll come back tomorrow," she stuttered as she quickly ran off stage.

Sano and Kenshin chuckled as the young lady ran off.

"Hey, I really like this auditioning thing. I really thought it was going to be boring," quipped Sano. "By the way, did she leave her name and address."

"Sano!"

"I'm just kidding, don't be so serious. I hope the next one is as lively as she was eh," smirked Sano as he slapped Kenshin on the back.

"Orooo!"

The next young woman came out dressed in a long black evening gown. She looked very elegant. Kenshin and Sano looked at one another and thought, maybe this could be the one. The young woman announced that she was going to sing a full opera ballad.

As she began, Sano shook his head in disappointment and grumbled, "I knew we should have went with my idea of holding a wet tee shirt contest. Wake me up when it's over," said Sano as he closed his eyes and slumped into his chair.

Kenshin glared over to him and paid rapt attention to the young woman. After ten long and horrible auditions (including a weak magic act), Sano and Kenshin had begun to think that the audition idea was a total flop.

Suddenly, a beautiful young woman entered the restaurant. Sano looked over and saw her standing near the door way. He was totally captured by her beauty. He went over and greeted her.

"Hello my name is Sanosuke Sagara. May I help you Miss…"

"Miss Megumi Takani. I'm here to audition for the evening singing position you advertised in your flyer." She showed Sano the flyer.

"Yes, please come in Miss Takani."

"You can call me Megumi," she smiled.

"Alright… Megumi," he grinned while walking behind her. What a classy woman he thought to himself.

Kenshin was already seated. As Megumi walked upon the stage Kenshin smiled and asked her the same question that he had asked the other ladies.

"My name is Megumi Takani. I am in my first year of college studying to become a doctor. I need this job to pay for my courses."

"Do you have any singing experience," asked Kenshin.

"Who cares… She's gorgeous," whispered Sano.

"Yes," replied Megumi. "My parents sent me for singing lessons when I was a young girl. I continued singing all through high school."

"You may begin Miss Megumi," responded Kenshin.

Ohh….
Are you ready?
Can you handle me?
Oh no! I don't think so….

I deserve more that what your cheap love can offer
I am high-maintenance
If you can't handle that then you're free…
To walk away.

Are you ready?
Can you handle me?
Oh no! I don't think so…

Do you love me?
Is it really true love?
Or are you just wearing a mask to
Hide you true intentions.

I am not stupid and I can see right through you
No you can't use my body
Look somewhere else
Coz this girl ain't no plaything

Ohhh…
No you can't handle me….
Ohhh…
You don't deserve me.

After she finished singing, there was silence in the room. Both men seemed to be in a trance over her song.

Megumi smiled and asked, "Was my singing okay?"

"It was more than okay," smiled Sano. "Lady, you got the job. When can you start?"

"Right away," replied Megumi as she smiled and bowed gracefully before both Kenshin and Sano.

"Okay, we will see you Friday night," said Sano as he stood and helped Megumi off the stage.

Megumi bowed to Kenshin and Sano again as she left the room. As Kenshin reviewed her credentials, Sano was thinking,

"I've never met a woman like her before. I can't wait to see her again."


Author's Notes:

Gomen minna, I guess I accidentally checked the signed reviews only box. My fault. Anonymous Reviews are welcome. Read and Review!!! Thanks to all who left a review and for those who read!!! ~~Chibi-angel