by Saku-Yume
Chapter Two: Pygmalion
Kaoru rang the bell at the gates of the Kurokami Finishing School and waited nervously. She still couldn't fully grasp what she was doing or what had happened to her the previous day. Shouri made her feel… precious… perfect. It was only for a brief moment but she felt the need to feel the sensation again. It was addictive…
The doors opened and before her stood the beautiful girl from the market. She smiled at Kaoru prettily.
"Welcome, Kamiya-dono. Kurokami-san has been anxiously awaiting your arrival." Her voice was soft and even, her appearance immaculate. She wore a white satin kimono trimmed in silver with large azure sakura printed on it. A large white rose perched on the side of her head behind her ear. Her lips were cherry red.
"I- I'm not late, am I?" Kaoru stammered. Would Kurokami really be able to transform her into this?
"Not at all. Right this way." The girl inclined her head with such grace that Kaoru likened her to the most reverent of swans. She followed her through the vast lawns sprawling before the Victorian style building that was the Kurokami Finishing School. She felt clumsy and awkward compared to the girl who seemed to float gracefully ahead.
Inside she couldn't hold back her amazement. The house was richly decorated with fineries from Japan as well as from all over the world. There were many other girls milling about that watched Kaoru with curiosity and something else she couldn't quite name…
Before she could place it she was being ushered up the stairs to Kurokami's offices. The girl turned abruptly and Kaoru almost ran into her.
"Wait here a moment, if you please. I have to announce you."
"Oh, okay," Kaoru said in a thin voice. She'd never been announced before.
Ame turned and smiled a little smile. She knew what the girl was feeling. This is only the beginning, she thought silently. Prepare to be finished, primped, propered, pampered and spoiled into nothingness.
"She's here," Ame said evenly. Shouri stood at the window overlooking his lawns like a proud king. He was the kind of man you'd hate to love and love to hate. He could make you think the Gods were wrong to color the sky blue and convince you that the grass was any other hue than green. He was handsome and charming and smart. Oh, he was so very smart, Ame thought ruefully.
"Ah, yes," Shouri turned to Ame and with the ever present charm about him asked, "what do you think of her?"
Ame smiled properly not without a hint of cynicism and replied, "She is remarkable. The best yet, I would say. It will not take much effort on your part to make her a lady as she is already quite enthralled with you."
Shouri didn't miss the purpose in Ame's tone. He smiled and maintained his even gaze. "Yes. But do you think she'll be the one?"
Ame mused and looked directly into his eyes. "Well, I have been wrong before, after all," she turned her head pointedly, "I thought I was the one for awhile."
Shouri chuckled a bit and came toward her to caress her cheek. Ame closed her eyes unable to resist the power in his simple touch. "Ah, Ame. You never really loved me. You loved what I did for you."
She forced herself away from him. He was too close… intoxicatingly too close. "Love and loathing… you made the two one, Shouri," she whispered. "I will send her in." She turned and Shouri smiled at her from behind as though she were some sort of petulant child.
Kaoru stood when Ame came out and held the door open for her. "Are you alright?" she asked detecting Ame's unease.
Ame smiled perfectly and said, "I am well. Kurokami-san will see you now."
"Arigatou, umm…"
"Ame. Sakura Ame. And you're welcome."
Kaoru watched her float away before entering the office.
"I am pleased that you've decided to consider my school. Are you impressed?" Shouri's deep voice shook her to the core. He stood by the window, hands behind him, smiling. Kaoru felt his gaze upon her and blushed. It was both exciting and strange to feel so… admired. "You're blushing. Why?"
Kaoru struggled to find the words. Part of her was simply amazed that another man could make her feel this way. The same part was doubly amazed that he had any interest in her at all. "You're watching me… it makes me nervous."
Shouri chuckled again and stalked toward her. He slowly prowled around her like a stealthy cat hunting its' prey. "Nervous? Why, you act as if no one has ever admired you before…"
Kaoru flushed deeper and said a bit sadly, "No one has."
"Nonsense." He stopped in front of her. "You simply haven't allowed yourself to notice. That's what I want to teach you, Kaoru. To be what all women want to be… beautiful… desirable… you have these qualities. I'm just here to bring them out. I will show you the ways to speak, act, dress, and carry yourself to achieve your full femininity. Surely you have someone you want to impress with these qualities." He held her chin up with his delicate touch. Kaoru felt hypnotized by his gaze. "Someone who has been taking you for granted perhaps…"
Kaoru gulped unable to do anything else.
"Tell me, my flower. What would you like most for me to help you with? I could tell you longed for something when I saw you in the market…"
"I want… I… want…"
"You can have anything and everything you want… if you let me teach you…"
His voice was so soft… so convincing. Kaoru closed her eyes and sighed. "I want you to make me beautiful. I want him to want me…"
Shouri raised an amused eyebrow. "Him? Well, now were getting somewhere. You, my flower, will start your lessons today."
* * * * *
Kenshin tried to be inconspicuous as he waited for Kaoru to arrive home that night. He'd swept the patio a million times, so much so that his nervous strokes had left slight grooves in the wood. When he noticed them before sunset he decided to sand them out. After the entire dojo floor had been sanded and Kaoru still wasn't back yet he sat on the steps and stared out at the gate, sakabatou in hand.
He didn't like Kurokami Shouri. He didn't like the effect he had on Kaoru. She didn't need finishing school. To him she was perfect the way she was. What's so wonderful about that guy anyway, he thought stubbornly.
He isn't afraid to tell Kaoru what he thinks of her, that's what.
Kenshin sighed. His slow pace had finally caught up with him as he knew it would. He didn't imagine that Kaoru would fall so easily into another's grasp, though.
He shook his head. Who said she'd fallen into anything at all? She was only going to the school, not getting married. But something inside told him that it wasn't that simple anymore. She'd been acting oddly with him lately and if she was feeling neglected by him, she would obviously find any man who found interest in her more appealing. He was just concerned that she would truly fall for the suave young man who was much taller, just as handsome if not more so, and so very persuasive...
He stood up quickly when an expensive looking carriage pulled into the practice yard. The coachman got up and opened the door.
He gasped when Kaoru emerged wearing a fine light blue kimono instead of the lavender one she left in that after noon. It was carefully folded over her arm. Instead of her normal ponytail she wore an intricate bun with decorative chopsticks protruding from the side. She even donned a bit of lipstick.
Kenshin had to admit, already she looked more… he hated to say feminine because she was always the center of femininity to him. But there was something a bit nobler about her…
"I will be here tomorrow morning to pick you up, Kamiya-dono," the coachman said bowing slightly.
"Arigatou," Kaoru said smiling the way she'd learned today. Pleasant, not overbearing…
She turned as the carriage drove off and stopped when she saw Kenshin watching her. She blushed. He'd never looked at her like that before. He looked at her the way Shouri did…
"I, ah, didn't expect to be so late…" she said demurely trying to walk steadily.
Kenshin swallowed. "Are you hungry? I made dinner…"
Kaoru shook her head. "No, thank you. I've already eaten at school…" Kaoru's heart twisted to see actual hurt in Kenshin's eyes. She tried to tell herself, this was all for him. He would appreciate it one day. It was not in vain… "I'm going to just go to bed, Kenshin… Goodnight."
Kenshin tried to smile. It didn't quite work. "Goodnight, Kaoru-dono."
Kaoru smiled weakly and hurried past him to her room. She kept telling herself that it was all for him. It would all pay off…
Kenshin walked slowly to the kitchen. There was something different in her eyes when she looked at him just then. Almost like… regret. That hurt him. He looked at the dinner he'd been keeping warm for her. He put it away. Perhaps Yahiko would want it tomorrow. To think she regretted spending time with him instead of being with someone like Kurokami was too much for him. He didn't bother to brush away the tear that escaped the corner of his eye. He blew out the candles and went to his own room. He didn't sleep well that night…
* * * * *
For a month the routine went on. Kaoru left in the morning and came home late at night. Yahiko's lessons were being ignored and Kenshin barely saw her. The others saw her even less. The only reason Kenshin saw her at all was because he waited up for her at night. But each night the look in her eyes changed. She was changing into the lady Kurokami promised she would be. She was changing into the lady Kurokami wanted her to be. She was changing into Kurokami's lady.
"So does he notice and appreciate the changes in you, my flower?" Kurokami asked one day at the end of her etiquette lessons. Kaoru sat dutifully at the end of the table, hands folded in her lap. She was the picture of perfection, the childish tomboy she once was a simple hint of a memory long forgotten. She wore the finest silk Kurokami could buy, her kimono a deep blue matching the blue of her eyes, white rosebuds woven into her hair. Her face was pure and her skin was soft and glowing as a result of the extensive skin care he subjected her to. Her lips were as red as blood.
"We… don't talk much anymore."
Shouri knelt next to her and caressed her cheek. "And that saddens you, doesn't it?"
"Yes," she answered softly. The truth of it was, she thought going through this would make Kenshin more responsive to her, but he only seemed more distant. Partly, she told herself, it was her own fault. She was never home. She had neglected everything. But she convinced herself that it was worth it to make Kenshin want her.
"That is not all that troubles you, my sweet." Kurokami whispered, his warm breath against her ear making her tremble. "Tell me what weighs so heavily upon your mind…"
"I have been neglecting my responsibilities for too long..."
"You are concerned about your dojo as well. I see. Well I wanted to propose something. How about if I offer you enough money to repair the entire thing so that when you return you may run it more efficiently?"
Kaoru turned to him, eyes wide. "I can't accept such a favor. However would I pay you back?"
Shouri smiled his most enchanting of smiles and his caress moved to her neck. "It is a gift…"
Kaoru weakened. Lately Shouri's attentions had become more ardent… she was beginning to be confused about his politeness. He seemed to want more from her than she could offer him. He wanted parts of her she wanted to give only to Kenshin. But he never asked. It was like he wanted her to just give it to him… He conjured all sorts of thoughts in Kaoru's mind. Some that frightened her… to think she could want another man… her eyes fluttered and she slightly moved out of his magnetic touch.
Shouri leaned into her and whispered, "He doesn't appreciate you the way I do, Kaoru. If he hasn't yet he never will, but I do…"
Kaoru's heart raced. Were her thoughts so evident? She turned to him, which ultimately was a mistake. "Nani?"
Kurokami touched her lips lightly with his. "You are perfect. Perfect for me, my flower…" He deepened their kiss.
Kaoru's mind raced. Part of her loved the feelings Shouri evoked in her. The other part hated it. It felt wrong. Wrong! Her mind screamed. She pulled away and stood up walking toward the window trying desperately to catch her breath.
Shouri smiled and decided that was enough for one day. He had her doubting herself. That was quite enough… he would take care of the rest later.
"Tomorrow night I am having a graduation dinner here in honor of your completion of the course. You may invite all of your friends. If he sees you the way I do, then go to him. But he will not. You will see…"
Kaoru tried not to listen to him but the words stuck. If Kenshin didn't appreciate this then he surely had no interest in her at all. It would hurt. But at least she would know…
"Arigatou. I will be there."
* * * * *
Much later, after Kaoru had gone for the night, Ame entered Shouri's rooms quietly. He stood at his usual place by the window and she watched him for long moments.
"You know she is in love."
"Yes."
"You know the man returns her love."
"Yes."
"And yet, you still peruse and confuse her and entice her to fall in love with you."
"She doesn't feel anything she doesn't wish to feel."
Ame frowned. "You hide behind these silly excuses. You put the responsibility on us so that you feel no guilt for your actions. For what?"
Shouri smiled. "For the pursuit of love."
Ame scoffed. "In your search you cause heartache. Love from loathing… from pain and sadness. Why does this kind of love interest you so?"
He turned to her. Then he walked over to her and put his arms around her and looked deep into her eyes. "Because it is the purest form of love. The line between love and hate is very thin, Ame, my love."
"Your love." Ame's eyes became teary. "You don't love me. You don't love anyone but yourself."
"And how about you, Ame? Do you love me?"
"I hate you." She stayed stiff in his grip and the tears began to fall from her eyes.
Shouri smiled surreptitiously with hooded eyes. "Mmm… same difference." He kissed her deeply. Soon she softened and melted into his embrace.
To be continued…