I go not own Rurouni Kenshin
SIX
"Hey what's wrong with you? You haven't said much tonight," Sano commented as he
handed Kenshin a glass of wine that he'd just bought and wanted Kenshin to try it
out with him.
"Nothing," Kenshin replied as he drank all the wine in one gulp without savoring the
taste.
"That wine costs a fortune so I'd appreciate it if you drink it more slowly," Sano
told him as he refilled Kenshin's glass again.
"Sorry." Kenshin muttered and took another sip of the wine, "hmm, this is good,
where'd you get it?"
"I asked my dad's friend to buy it for me, it just came in yesterday."
"Man your dad spoils you rotten doesn't he?" Kenshin joked and got shoved from
Sano as they started laughing.
"Oh right, like your dad doesn't dote on you either."Sano said then more seriously,
"What's wrong anyway?"
"I was just thinking about my mom," Kenshin answered quietly as he took another
sip from his wine and walked over to the living room couch to sit.
Sano gave Kenshin a confused look but didn't press on. There were very few
subjects that Kenshin and Sano can't talk about but his mom was definitely off
limits. Even though his mom left him two years ago, Kenshin still couldn't get over
the pain and never discussed it. One time Sano wanting to know how Kenshin felt
tried to pressure him into talking and ended up getting into a fist fight with him
instead causing a rift between them that lasted for a couple of months.
"What made you think of her?" Sano asked casually then knew that Kenshin wasn't
going to answer when his face suddenly closed up.
"So how did that tutoring thing go for you?"
"Actually it went better than I thought!" Sano said happily making Kenshn narrow
his eyes.
"You're too happy, what happened?"
"Nothing, I just found a way to blackmail Ms. Perfect!"
"I don't even want to know how you did that," Kenshin replied before Sano could go
into detail and bore him to death.
"Oh yeah, I can't go to that tutoring thing tomorrow think you can help me?" Sano
asked as he refilled his own glass.
"Got a date with that girl I've been telling you about. Her name's Keiko by the way
and I've finally convinced her to go out with me." Sano remarked as he leaned back
in his chair.
"Sorry I won't be at school tomorrow so can't help you there." Kenshin replied.
"Why?"
"My dad wants me to go on some business trip with him or something."
"Man, I just went last week and trust me on this, bring some kind of amusement
with you because that's all you're going to have to save your sanity." Sano
exaggerated.
"It's that bad?"
"Worse!"
Kenshin laughed and took another sip from the wine thinking about what he could
bring with him.
* * *
"I hate Sano!" Megumi shouted as loud as she can into the night.
"I hate Kenshin!" Kaoru shouted afterwards. When they both felt a little bit
better they headed back into Kaoru's car.
"Why do you hate Kenshin? Thought you had nothing against him?" Megumi asked as
they headed home. Kaoru had come over to her house that night and asked if she'd
like to go driving around with her. They ended up going to the cliff overlooking
their town that they've gone to as kids and shouted out their frustrations to the
wind.
"Until today I didn't." Kaoru replied as she eased her way down the steep hill.
"What happened?"
"He was being the rich snobby ass that he is. He almost ran me over today then had
the nerve to act like as if I was the one who was at fault. I swear I wanted to just
pull him out of his car and give him a good beating." Kaoru growled with resentment.
"What did you expect, him to say sorry? Don't forget he and Sano are friends;
they are peas from the same pod." Megumi reminded her cousin.
"Anyway, how did your tutoring thing go?"
"Don't even ask!" Megumi groaned thinking about the essay she still has to write for
Sano. What the hell does she know about models?
"Was he that bad?"
"He blackmailed me, how's that for bad?"
"With what?"
"He got me mad so I threw a paper ball at him but it hit Mr. Takahashi instead and
he took the blame. But then he threatened to tell Mr. Takahashi that it was
actually me who threw it if I didn't do his work for him." Megumi told her cousin
despairingly hating Sano the more she talked about the injustice done to her.
"Isn't it so weird how me and you hate Sano and Kenshin? It's like they owe us in
the past life or something!" Kaoru wondered out loud and got a distasteful look
from Megumi.
"Don't tell me you believe in reincarnation!" Megumi exclaimed exasperated.
"It's fun, I mean imagine if there is such thing as reincarnation, my past life could
have been a princess or something."
"Or maybe you were a boy who died too soon so now this life even though you're a
girl, you're determined to live out the life of the boy that you never got a chance
experience." Megumi put in and got a not to pleasant punch from Kaoru. "Ow! Just
kidding."
"Well it wasn't funny! Oh shit, I forgot," Kaoru suddenly cried out.
"What?"
"My dad is going to kill me," she moaned, "He told me I had to buy a dress today
but I forgot to."
"You can borrow one of mine," Megumi offered a little confused, "And when did you
start listening to your dad and is willing to wear a dress?"
"Yesterday when he threatened to disown me!" Kaoru explained, "He said that he is
going to take me to this inventory that his company is throwing and wants me to
look like I'm a girl."
"Why does he want to take you?"
"Beats me, said that his boss told all the employees who were going to bring their
daughters along." Kaoru said with a shrug. *^
* * *
Megumi quickly raced down the hallway towards the library. She was already 15
minutes late and was afraid Sano would use that to blackmail her again. She just
came from physics class where she'd stayed behind to discuss some more on
relativity with Mr. Kojima. She sighed contently when she thought of him and soon
blushed with embarrassment at the direction her thoughts were going.
Outside the library door she took a deep breath then walked in hurriedly so that
she won't give in to the urge to just run home and pretend she'd come down with
something.
Sano raised his head from his hands and gave Megumi a pitiful look. His eyes were
red-rimmed like he'd been crying and his voice shook when he called out to her.
"You're late!"
As much as Megumi hated him, she felt worried when she saw his haggard look.
She'd never seen him this way before and it scared her. "What's wrong?" She
asked gently as she went and sat down across from him. Without thinking she
gently placed her hand on top of his in comfort and saw the confusion that
flickered across his eyes for a moment then disappeared.
"It-it's my dog, my mom just called and told me th-that he'd.he'd died," Sano
choked out the last part of the sentence and quickly wiped his eyes with his free
hand.
"I'm so sorry," Megumi said with sincerity as she squeezed his hand. "How did it
happen?"
"He was playing in the backyard and his ball rolled onto the street." Sano's voice
trails off but Megumi could figure out the rest of the story from there. "I- I've
had him for five years, and dammit, I should have been able to say bye." Sano's
anguished expression tore at Megumi heart and she realized that underneath all of
the conceited attitude, he did have a heart after all.
"You know what? Why don't we skip tutoring today and you can go home and.well
give your dog a burial or something."
"You mean it?" Sano asked his eyes growing big.
"Of course I mean it. I'm not that mean you know," Megumi softly scolded with a
sympathetic smile on her face.
Sano smiled back at her and grabbed his bag. He was about to leave but then
stopped as he was opening the door and turned back to look at her. "Thanks," he
said sheepishly then ran out the door.
Not knowing what to do now that she had to afternoon to herself, she walked out
to the library and to the nearest payphone.
"Hello, La Palace, how may I help you?" the French accented voice rang out.
"Hey Pierre? It's me Megumi, I can work tonight."
"Thank God, Katsu just called in sick and I was killing myself trying to find a
replacement," Pierre exaggerated, "come as quickly as you can alright ma petite
amie?"
"Yeah okay," Megumi said laughing then hung up and made her way home to pick up
her uniform.
* * *
Sano ran as quickly as he can to his car in the nearly empty parking lot and rushed
inside before letting his laughter out. He'd never known what a good actor he'd
been till just now. When Megumi grabbed his hand he thought for sure he'd let
himself go by laughing right in her face.
"God, what a gullible chick," he chuckled to himself as he looked at his watch. "Yes,
just enough time to get changed and meet Keiko." Throughout the whole day Sano
wasn't sure how he would be able to get off the hook but then inspiration struck
when he overheard some girl crying her eyes out over her dead dog. Scared that
Megumi would find out he's lying because of his eyes he had to go to the washroom
before going to the library and force his eyes open under the tap to make it look
red. He thought he'd make up some excuse for his wet hair but luckily she came
late and gave him enough time to dry his hair up.
"Hello?" A sweet voice came on the other line.
"Hey Keiko?" Sano asked with laughter still evident in his voice. "Are you ready for
tonight yet?"
"I still have to finish my makeup and then I should be done. We're going to La
Palace right?"
"Of course, how could I take you to anywhere less than the best?"
"Oh Sano, you're so sweet."
"Alright then I'll see you later bye." Sano hung up and placed his flip phone back
into his jacket pocket. This was too easy, he thought as he let out another burst of
laughter thinking of Megumi's face when he told her his little story.*
* * *
Kaoru kicked another rock that was lying in her path violently out of the way as she
walked through the large garden not seeing the beautiful scenery before her. She
felt like a caged animal about to erupt any minute with just the slightest
provocation and for once in her life actually wanted to go to school, which she had
to miss due to her father's 'important' business convention. As she kicked another
rock in agitation she thought back on the conversation she had with Megumi the
night before as she was trying on Megumi's dresses.
"You know what?" Megumi said as she handed another dress in Kaoru's direction and
seeing the dread written all over Kaoru's face as she eyed the new dress laid out
for her, couldn't help herself but laugh out loud. "You look like I'm forcing you to
drink poison or something," she commented after her laughter had died down.
"Well if your dad were the one who is forcing you to dress up for some stupid
business trip just to satisfy his boss' perverseness like a sacrificial lamb, you'd
probably feel as rotten as me right now." Kaoru yelled in agitation.
"Haha, how do you know your dad's boss is a pervert, you don't even know the man."
Megumi pointed out the obvious.
"Then why the hell would he tell his employees to bring their daughters along to a
business convention unless of course he's planning on using them for his own
pleasure," Kaoru reasoned crudely making Megumi laugh again.
"True," Megumi agreed then tried to comfort Kaoru who looked like she was going
to rip her dress apart rather than trying it on. "But look on the bright side-."
"What bright side?"
"Well if you're having such a crummy time, just tell your dad that you're sick or
something and he'll definitely take you home business trip or not. You have to admit
that regardless of the fact that he threatened you to come along, he would do
anything to make you happy." Megumi said matter-of-factly as she went to help
Kaoru zip up the dress.
Kaoru scoffed and rolled her eyes in answer but deep down knew that what
Megumo said was true, especially after her older sister had gotten married and
moved out of the house, her dad has gotten even more doting and possessive of
her.
"I HATE THIS!" Kaoru suddenly screamed trying to get rid of her frustration.
"I will never understand why you are so against wearing a dress. I mean you're 18
but acting like a 10 year old who thinks boys have cooties or something," Megumi
scolded affectionately.
"Well if you like wearing a dress so much why don't you ever wear one to school
huh?"
"(Sighs) School's where you go to study, not to flaunt your clothes around! Since
anyway even though I don't wear dresses at least people still recognize me as a girl,
I don't purposely mislead people like you." Megumi stated as she tapped her feet
impatiently.
"Yeah, that's why you wear those thick, ugly red nonprescription glasses even
though you have perfect 20/20 vision huh?" Kaoru said sarcastically then
regretted her statement when she saw the hurt look in Megumi eyes. "Sorry I
didn't mean that," she apologized wishing she could take back her words. "It's just
all this," she continued as she waved her hands throughout the room at the dresses
strewn all over, "I can't stand the fact that my dad is making me do this just so he
could kiss his boss' ass."
"Kaoru!"
"I know, but you know me.I'm too blunt to be polite even if it's about my dad,"
Kaoru replied with a hopeless shrug.
"Just remember what I tell you, if you're having a bad time just tell your dad you're
not feeling well and he'll take you home okay?"
"Fine," Kaoru agreed then felt like screaming her head off again as Megumi handed
her another dress.
"So much for your idea," Kaoru muttered under her breath infuriatingly as she
thought about all the times she'd tried to escape today and failed. First she had
did as Megumi suggested and told her dad she was feeling sick but he'd only
suggested she go rest in the 'big cheese's' house until she felt better, which told
her that her dad didn't believe a word of it, so much for her acting abilities. Then
she'd tried going to the washroom then sneaking out from the window because the
front door was guarded. Then thinking that she was finally home free as she made
it to the front and towards her dad's car, was caught by a stupid valet who felt it
was his duty to 'help' her find her way back to the house because she was
'hopelessly' lost.
At the thought of the stupid man, she kicked another rock towards a bush in
agitation angry with the world and her dad when suddenly a yelp came from the
bush making her jump. She turned towards the sound scared that she'd hit some
helpless animal and suddenly went into shock. She felt her mouth dropping open but
somehow couldn't find the strength to close it again.
Kenshin grabbed onto his shin where the rock had hit him hopping on his left foot
and glared up at the brainless person who had kicked it at him and felt his whole
body tense. His eyes opened wide like it was going to pop out of his eye sockets any
minute and his mouth dried up as he tried to talk, his hurt shin completely
forgotten.
Kenshin had been furious at his dad when he found out that they weren't going on
any business trip at all but staying at home to entertain some of his employees
along with their daughters. When Kenshin declared he wasn't staying so that his
dad could play match- maker for him, his dad had threatened to lock his bank
account. Knowing his dad was never one to use threats lightly, Kenshin had only
glared at his dad before going up to his room to sulk while the guests arrived. He'd
always hated the unwanted attention he gets from girls because of the fact that
he's his dad's son but today that hatred was probably a hundred fold, with the girls
having access to his house and chasing him around the house like predators
swooping in for the kill. None of them have interested him-until now.
Before he could get any words past his closed up throat she said angrily, "What are
you doing here?"
Another wave of shock suddenly hit him full force as finally he realized why the
beautiful girl in front of him looked so familiar. He looked her up and down as if not
believing his eyes and had the biggest urge to pinch himself just to see if he was
dreaming this all up.
"KaorUU?" His voice cracked badly and his face turned crimson red in
embarrassment.
Finding offense in his tone and thinking that he was somehow insulting her, Kaoru
raised her chin a notch and gave him a cold look. "What's it to you?" Her pride had
already suffered enough today with the way the men kept looking at her in disgust,
she wasn't about to let Kenshin trample all over it too.
"My god, it is you!"
"I thought that only the daughters of the employees were invited to this little
'gathering'." Kaoru wondered out loud empathizing on the word 'daughters'. "Were
you made an exception, or does Mr. Boss Man actually prefer male company over
female?" She inquired with an underlying meaning.
Kenshin felt his face grow hot with humiliation at her innuendo and at the insult
she'd made about his father. "For your information, I am an exception considering
the man who'd arrange this whole thing is my father!"
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" Kaoru yelled, feeling her heart
suddenly beating a mile a minute as the full implication of what Kenshin had just
revealed hit her smack in the face.
Kenshin was about to answer when suddenly another figure came out of the bushes.
"Kenshin why are you taking so long?" A sweet, but whiny voice complained. A girl in
an extremely short and slutty black spaghetti-strapped dress walked up to kenshin
and took a hold of his arm with an iron grip as she eyed Kaoru as if she was a
threat to her.
Seeing the surprise then the knowing expression that quickly flew across Kaoru
face made Kenshin feel like sighing out loud. Do all girls have such sick minds? He
thought as he turned to deal with Kaede who'd been following him all over the place
all day and wouldn't leave him alone.
Kaoru stood impatiently as Kenshin whispered into Kaede's ear then watched as she
left them alone but at a slow pace and often turning around to make sure that
Kenshin was looking at the way she was deliberately swaying her fat, ugly ass back
and forth. Kaoru felt sick to her stomach at the way the girl was degrading all of
women kind with her cheap display.
When she'd finally turned the corner and was out of sight Kaoru turned back to
Kenshin with an evil eye, as she looked him up and down with disgust. "I thought you
had better taste then that tramp, guess I was wrong." She said sarcastically as she
managed to look down at him even though he was a good head taller than she was.
"And they say that guys are the ones with the sick mind. Man, is sex the only thing
that's on your mind? First you go and insult my manhood then, claim my father is
gay and now you think that I've been going at it with some girl in a bush. I never
knew that you had such an overactive imagination," Kenshin replied with revulsion in
his voice.
"Hey, I'm still a girl the least you could do is modify your language!" Kaoru yelled
hypocritically.
"Ha, yeah I'm sure you're real sheltered and innocent," Kenshin scoffed then his
face suddenly seemed to light up with inspiration. "Since we're on this whole
topic.what are you doing here anyway, and don't say that the curiosity of what my
house looks like was just too tempting to refuse." Kenshin said sarcastically. "Or
maybe it's the thought that you might be able to lure my dad into your bed so you
could make money off of him that made you so ready to put away your boy clothes
and dress like that." He finished as if the thought has just entered his mind as he
pointed up and down at Megumi's summer dress.
Kaoru had never felt so murderous before in her life and had to make an effort not
to kick him where it hurts most. "How dare you-."
"How dare you come here to my house and act all snotty like a royal bitch then
insult my family." Kenshin interrupted as he felt his own anger, which has been
simmering ever since he saw Kaoru begin to flare out of control.
"YOU ASSHOLE!" Kaoru screeched then before he could stop her she ran up to him
and slapped him across the face. The resounding 'smack' seemed to echo over and
over again in their ears and time appeared to have stopped moving all together.
Every thing faded into the background as Kenshin incredulous gaze stared down at
Kaoru. Kaoru's eyes opened wide in shock as she grasped too late what she had just
done and the major consequences that could come out of it.*
kaoru looked down at her hand as if she still can't believe what she's done. Then
she slowly raised her eyes to Kenshin's face that now has a light red imprint of her
hand on his left cheek. His eyes were round as saucers as he gazed down at her
still not being able to take in the fact that she'd slapped him across the face.
"Kaoru, there you are."
Kaoru felt all the blood on her face drain away and for the first time in her life
felt on the verge of fainting.
"Kaoru? Are you okay?"
Before he could come up to her, Kaoru quickly turned around and gave him a fake
smile praying hard in her mind that Kenshin won't say anything.
"Hi dad," she said with false cheerfulness, "What are you doing here?"
"Oh I just wanted to make sure that you're enjoying yourself. Hello Mr. Himura,"
"Please call me Kenshin," Kenshin replied politely as he nodded his head in
acknowledgement when he heard his name. Kaoru felt a sense of relief wash over
\her and suddenly had an urge to sit down, her legs feeling so wobbly.
"Very well," Kaoru dad replied with a happy smile, "I'm glad you two are getting
along. Now Kaoru remember this is not your house so be on your best behavior."
Her dad lectured her, making her feel like three again.
"Tousan!"
"Well I guess since you seem to be okay here, I'll leave the two of you alone." Kaoru
wanted to call him back but was scared that Kenshin would blurt out what had
happened and get her in big trouble. When her dad was out of sight she slowly
turned back and gave Kenshin a cautious look.
"Why didn't you tell my dad what happened? Are you planning on telling your dad
and getting mine fired?" Kaoru asked bluntly wanting to get it over with. She knew
that this was probably the first time someone ever slapped Kenshin from his
reaction and knew that if his dad found out, her dad will be out of work.
"I didn't feel like it.he seems like a nice man I don't want him to be distressed
because his daughter acted so stupidly." Kenshin insulted but Kaoru could not say
anything back because she knew it was true. "As for the second question, I still
have to think about it." Kenshin looked Kaoru up and down with a thoughtful
expression on his face.
"Don't make me slap you again," Kaoru warned dangerously. There was only so much
she can take, even the thought of her dad losing his job could still not stop her
temper from showing it's ugly head.
"It's not written in stone that I have to tell my dad." Kenshin said with a heavy
meaning behind his words.
"What do you want?"
"Hmm, that all depends doesn't it."
Kaoru's eyes turned into slits as she gave Kenshin a threatening look. "Don't worry
I'm not trying to get you into bed. I don't want to be killed in my sleep and since
anyway, I've always preferred girls."
"YOU-."
"Do you want me to keep my mouth shut or what?" Kaoru clamped her mouth closed
but had to clench her hands to keep herself from jumping him. "Remember that car
you kicked last time? Well it's kind of dirty right now and I need someone to clean
it." Kenshin said with satisfaction as he crossed his arms and stared down at Kaoru
daring her to refuse his request.
"Fine," Kaoru muttered grumpily even though deep down she was relieved that it
took so little to shut him up. She washes her car all the time this should be a
breeze. "When can I start?"
"Now," Kenshin replied and felt like laughing when he saw the incredulous
expression cross her face.
"IN THIS?" She yelled spreading her dress out with disbelief. It was really pretty
actually; a baby blue dress that came down her knees covered with small, light pink
roses that sprayed throughout the dress.
"I find nothing wrong with it," Kenshin shrugged but he knew that as soon as water
touches it, the dress would become quite transparent making it impossible to keep
her modesty. To him it was still too small a price to pay for slapping him but he
recognized the fact that if he pushed her too far she might just be dumb enough
to test his good grace and slap him for a second time.
"I WON'T."
"Hmm, I wonder how my dad is going to react-."
"OKAY!" Kaoru yelled hurriedly scared that someone might be close by and hear
him.
* * *
"Hey Pierre," Megumi said happily as she entered the restaurant and took a deep
breath, smelling the delicious aroma coming from foods that she'd never be able to
afford.
"Ah, ma cherie.its such a relief to have dependable workers like you," He said
charmingly with a heavy French accent as he smiled and gave her a peck on the
cheek. "(Sighs) you still have that horrible pair of glasses? Every time you come in
I always hope you've come to your senses and got rid of them. Won't you make an
old man happy and take them off for even one day?" Pierre cajoled with puppy eyes.
"Haha, nice try Pierre but you know I never take them off." Megumi answered with
an apologetic tone but it was ruined by the sly smile on her face.
"Very well, I guess I will have to die an unfulfilled man." Pierre sighed then waved
her to the changing room. "Hurry up, we're busy tonight and need as many hands
out there as possible."
"Isn't it always busy?" Megumi joked then ran in laughing when Pierre scrunched up
his face.
* * *
"So what do you think of this place?" Sano asked smugly when he saw the
impressed expression written all over Keiko's face. She looked, as always, beautiful
and sophisticated in her spaghetti strap red dress that catches everyone's eyes as
she walks by.
"It's beautiful, how'd you get a reservation for this restaurant? I heard that you
had to reserve a table at least two months ahead of time." She asked with
interest.
"I have connections," Sano answered vaguely making Keiko more attracted in him by
the minute. She love guys who have the money to spend on her but even more she
finds guys who have the attitude to go along with it, an added bonus for her
wasting her time trying to get them. Sano not only has these two qualities she
wanted but also he was young and good-looking.
"Let's order," Sano suggested, as he handed her a menu then opened up his own and
looked at the selection but found his eyes going back repeatedly to Keiko's face.
Finding it a bit disconcerting the way he can't concentrate on what he's doing he
raised his hands to get a waiter.
* * *
"Megumi, I need you to take the order at the table by the window near the alcove,"
Pierre told her as soon as she walked out of the changing room.
"Sure, do they speak French?"
"No, so you don't have to worry," Pierre joked knowing that Megumi was as fluent in
French as she was in Japanese.
Megumi walked out from the kitchen and made her way to the private section of
the restaurant where all the best table were located and nearly dropped her
notepad as she neared her assigned table. She felt her mouth dropping open as
shock overcame her and her feet wouldn't move causing people to look her way at
her strange behavior. Megumi felt her face growing hot not from the funny looks
she was getting but from the anger that began to bubble over in full force and the
humiliation she felt from knowing that she was so stupid.
Sano looked up from his menu trying to see why it was taking so long for a waiter
to come over to their table and almost dropped it when he saw Megumi standing a
couple of feet from them. Oh shit, Sano thought savagely as he looked down at his
table with a deep frown. He didn't care that Megumi found out he'd lied to her but
he didn't want her to ruin his date and knowing Megumi, she was conniving enough
to do it. Why the hell does she have to work here.how the hell did she get to work
here in the first place? He thought angrily wishing he'd chosen another restaurant
to eat at instead of La Palace.
~Aya~
SIX
"Hey what's wrong with you? You haven't said much tonight," Sano commented as he
handed Kenshin a glass of wine that he'd just bought and wanted Kenshin to try it
out with him.
"Nothing," Kenshin replied as he drank all the wine in one gulp without savoring the
taste.
"That wine costs a fortune so I'd appreciate it if you drink it more slowly," Sano
told him as he refilled Kenshin's glass again.
"Sorry." Kenshin muttered and took another sip of the wine, "hmm, this is good,
where'd you get it?"
"I asked my dad's friend to buy it for me, it just came in yesterday."
"Man your dad spoils you rotten doesn't he?" Kenshin joked and got shoved from
Sano as they started laughing.
"Oh right, like your dad doesn't dote on you either."Sano said then more seriously,
"What's wrong anyway?"
"I was just thinking about my mom," Kenshin answered quietly as he took another
sip from his wine and walked over to the living room couch to sit.
Sano gave Kenshin a confused look but didn't press on. There were very few
subjects that Kenshin and Sano can't talk about but his mom was definitely off
limits. Even though his mom left him two years ago, Kenshin still couldn't get over
the pain and never discussed it. One time Sano wanting to know how Kenshin felt
tried to pressure him into talking and ended up getting into a fist fight with him
instead causing a rift between them that lasted for a couple of months.
"What made you think of her?" Sano asked casually then knew that Kenshin wasn't
going to answer when his face suddenly closed up.
"So how did that tutoring thing go for you?"
"Actually it went better than I thought!" Sano said happily making Kenshn narrow
his eyes.
"You're too happy, what happened?"
"Nothing, I just found a way to blackmail Ms. Perfect!"
"I don't even want to know how you did that," Kenshin replied before Sano could go
into detail and bore him to death.
"Oh yeah, I can't go to that tutoring thing tomorrow think you can help me?" Sano
asked as he refilled his own glass.
"Got a date with that girl I've been telling you about. Her name's Keiko by the way
and I've finally convinced her to go out with me." Sano remarked as he leaned back
in his chair.
"Sorry I won't be at school tomorrow so can't help you there." Kenshin replied.
"Why?"
"My dad wants me to go on some business trip with him or something."
"Man, I just went last week and trust me on this, bring some kind of amusement
with you because that's all you're going to have to save your sanity." Sano
exaggerated.
"It's that bad?"
"Worse!"
Kenshin laughed and took another sip from the wine thinking about what he could
bring with him.
* * *
"I hate Sano!" Megumi shouted as loud as she can into the night.
"I hate Kenshin!" Kaoru shouted afterwards. When they both felt a little bit
better they headed back into Kaoru's car.
"Why do you hate Kenshin? Thought you had nothing against him?" Megumi asked as
they headed home. Kaoru had come over to her house that night and asked if she'd
like to go driving around with her. They ended up going to the cliff overlooking
their town that they've gone to as kids and shouted out their frustrations to the
wind.
"Until today I didn't." Kaoru replied as she eased her way down the steep hill.
"What happened?"
"He was being the rich snobby ass that he is. He almost ran me over today then had
the nerve to act like as if I was the one who was at fault. I swear I wanted to just
pull him out of his car and give him a good beating." Kaoru growled with resentment.
"What did you expect, him to say sorry? Don't forget he and Sano are friends;
they are peas from the same pod." Megumi reminded her cousin.
"Anyway, how did your tutoring thing go?"
"Don't even ask!" Megumi groaned thinking about the essay she still has to write for
Sano. What the hell does she know about models?
"Was he that bad?"
"He blackmailed me, how's that for bad?"
"With what?"
"He got me mad so I threw a paper ball at him but it hit Mr. Takahashi instead and
he took the blame. But then he threatened to tell Mr. Takahashi that it was
actually me who threw it if I didn't do his work for him." Megumi told her cousin
despairingly hating Sano the more she talked about the injustice done to her.
"Isn't it so weird how me and you hate Sano and Kenshin? It's like they owe us in
the past life or something!" Kaoru wondered out loud and got a distasteful look
from Megumi.
"Don't tell me you believe in reincarnation!" Megumi exclaimed exasperated.
"It's fun, I mean imagine if there is such thing as reincarnation, my past life could
have been a princess or something."
"Or maybe you were a boy who died too soon so now this life even though you're a
girl, you're determined to live out the life of the boy that you never got a chance
experience." Megumi put in and got a not to pleasant punch from Kaoru. "Ow! Just
kidding."
"Well it wasn't funny! Oh shit, I forgot," Kaoru suddenly cried out.
"What?"
"My dad is going to kill me," she moaned, "He told me I had to buy a dress today
but I forgot to."
"You can borrow one of mine," Megumi offered a little confused, "And when did you
start listening to your dad and is willing to wear a dress?"
"Yesterday when he threatened to disown me!" Kaoru explained, "He said that he is
going to take me to this inventory that his company is throwing and wants me to
look like I'm a girl."
"Why does he want to take you?"
"Beats me, said that his boss told all the employees who were going to bring their
daughters along." Kaoru said with a shrug. *^
* * *
Megumi quickly raced down the hallway towards the library. She was already 15
minutes late and was afraid Sano would use that to blackmail her again. She just
came from physics class where she'd stayed behind to discuss some more on
relativity with Mr. Kojima. She sighed contently when she thought of him and soon
blushed with embarrassment at the direction her thoughts were going.
Outside the library door she took a deep breath then walked in hurriedly so that
she won't give in to the urge to just run home and pretend she'd come down with
something.
Sano raised his head from his hands and gave Megumi a pitiful look. His eyes were
red-rimmed like he'd been crying and his voice shook when he called out to her.
"You're late!"
As much as Megumi hated him, she felt worried when she saw his haggard look.
She'd never seen him this way before and it scared her. "What's wrong?" She
asked gently as she went and sat down across from him. Without thinking she
gently placed her hand on top of his in comfort and saw the confusion that
flickered across his eyes for a moment then disappeared.
"It-it's my dog, my mom just called and told me th-that he'd.he'd died," Sano
choked out the last part of the sentence and quickly wiped his eyes with his free
hand.
"I'm so sorry," Megumi said with sincerity as she squeezed his hand. "How did it
happen?"
"He was playing in the backyard and his ball rolled onto the street." Sano's voice
trails off but Megumi could figure out the rest of the story from there. "I- I've
had him for five years, and dammit, I should have been able to say bye." Sano's
anguished expression tore at Megumi heart and she realized that underneath all of
the conceited attitude, he did have a heart after all.
"You know what? Why don't we skip tutoring today and you can go home and.well
give your dog a burial or something."
"You mean it?" Sano asked his eyes growing big.
"Of course I mean it. I'm not that mean you know," Megumi softly scolded with a
sympathetic smile on her face.
Sano smiled back at her and grabbed his bag. He was about to leave but then
stopped as he was opening the door and turned back to look at her. "Thanks," he
said sheepishly then ran out the door.
Not knowing what to do now that she had to afternoon to herself, she walked out
to the library and to the nearest payphone.
"Hello, La Palace, how may I help you?" the French accented voice rang out.
"Hey Pierre? It's me Megumi, I can work tonight."
"Thank God, Katsu just called in sick and I was killing myself trying to find a
replacement," Pierre exaggerated, "come as quickly as you can alright ma petite
amie?"
"Yeah okay," Megumi said laughing then hung up and made her way home to pick up
her uniform.
* * *
Sano ran as quickly as he can to his car in the nearly empty parking lot and rushed
inside before letting his laughter out. He'd never known what a good actor he'd
been till just now. When Megumi grabbed his hand he thought for sure he'd let
himself go by laughing right in her face.
"God, what a gullible chick," he chuckled to himself as he looked at his watch. "Yes,
just enough time to get changed and meet Keiko." Throughout the whole day Sano
wasn't sure how he would be able to get off the hook but then inspiration struck
when he overheard some girl crying her eyes out over her dead dog. Scared that
Megumi would find out he's lying because of his eyes he had to go to the washroom
before going to the library and force his eyes open under the tap to make it look
red. He thought he'd make up some excuse for his wet hair but luckily she came
late and gave him enough time to dry his hair up.
"Hello?" A sweet voice came on the other line.
"Hey Keiko?" Sano asked with laughter still evident in his voice. "Are you ready for
tonight yet?"
"I still have to finish my makeup and then I should be done. We're going to La
Palace right?"
"Of course, how could I take you to anywhere less than the best?"
"Oh Sano, you're so sweet."
"Alright then I'll see you later bye." Sano hung up and placed his flip phone back
into his jacket pocket. This was too easy, he thought as he let out another burst of
laughter thinking of Megumi's face when he told her his little story.*
* * *
Kaoru kicked another rock that was lying in her path violently out of the way as she
walked through the large garden not seeing the beautiful scenery before her. She
felt like a caged animal about to erupt any minute with just the slightest
provocation and for once in her life actually wanted to go to school, which she had
to miss due to her father's 'important' business convention. As she kicked another
rock in agitation she thought back on the conversation she had with Megumi the
night before as she was trying on Megumi's dresses.
"You know what?" Megumi said as she handed another dress in Kaoru's direction and
seeing the dread written all over Kaoru's face as she eyed the new dress laid out
for her, couldn't help herself but laugh out loud. "You look like I'm forcing you to
drink poison or something," she commented after her laughter had died down.
"Well if your dad were the one who is forcing you to dress up for some stupid
business trip just to satisfy his boss' perverseness like a sacrificial lamb, you'd
probably feel as rotten as me right now." Kaoru yelled in agitation.
"Haha, how do you know your dad's boss is a pervert, you don't even know the man."
Megumi pointed out the obvious.
"Then why the hell would he tell his employees to bring their daughters along to a
business convention unless of course he's planning on using them for his own
pleasure," Kaoru reasoned crudely making Megumi laugh again.
"True," Megumi agreed then tried to comfort Kaoru who looked like she was going
to rip her dress apart rather than trying it on. "But look on the bright side-."
"What bright side?"
"Well if you're having such a crummy time, just tell your dad that you're sick or
something and he'll definitely take you home business trip or not. You have to admit
that regardless of the fact that he threatened you to come along, he would do
anything to make you happy." Megumi said matter-of-factly as she went to help
Kaoru zip up the dress.
Kaoru scoffed and rolled her eyes in answer but deep down knew that what
Megumo said was true, especially after her older sister had gotten married and
moved out of the house, her dad has gotten even more doting and possessive of
her.
"I HATE THIS!" Kaoru suddenly screamed trying to get rid of her frustration.
"I will never understand why you are so against wearing a dress. I mean you're 18
but acting like a 10 year old who thinks boys have cooties or something," Megumi
scolded affectionately.
"Well if you like wearing a dress so much why don't you ever wear one to school
huh?"
"(Sighs) School's where you go to study, not to flaunt your clothes around! Since
anyway even though I don't wear dresses at least people still recognize me as a girl,
I don't purposely mislead people like you." Megumi stated as she tapped her feet
impatiently.
"Yeah, that's why you wear those thick, ugly red nonprescription glasses even
though you have perfect 20/20 vision huh?" Kaoru said sarcastically then
regretted her statement when she saw the hurt look in Megumi eyes. "Sorry I
didn't mean that," she apologized wishing she could take back her words. "It's just
all this," she continued as she waved her hands throughout the room at the dresses
strewn all over, "I can't stand the fact that my dad is making me do this just so he
could kiss his boss' ass."
"Kaoru!"
"I know, but you know me.I'm too blunt to be polite even if it's about my dad,"
Kaoru replied with a hopeless shrug.
"Just remember what I tell you, if you're having a bad time just tell your dad you're
not feeling well and he'll take you home okay?"
"Fine," Kaoru agreed then felt like screaming her head off again as Megumi handed
her another dress.
"So much for your idea," Kaoru muttered under her breath infuriatingly as she
thought about all the times she'd tried to escape today and failed. First she had
did as Megumi suggested and told her dad she was feeling sick but he'd only
suggested she go rest in the 'big cheese's' house until she felt better, which told
her that her dad didn't believe a word of it, so much for her acting abilities. Then
she'd tried going to the washroom then sneaking out from the window because the
front door was guarded. Then thinking that she was finally home free as she made
it to the front and towards her dad's car, was caught by a stupid valet who felt it
was his duty to 'help' her find her way back to the house because she was
'hopelessly' lost.
At the thought of the stupid man, she kicked another rock towards a bush in
agitation angry with the world and her dad when suddenly a yelp came from the
bush making her jump. She turned towards the sound scared that she'd hit some
helpless animal and suddenly went into shock. She felt her mouth dropping open but
somehow couldn't find the strength to close it again.
Kenshin grabbed onto his shin where the rock had hit him hopping on his left foot
and glared up at the brainless person who had kicked it at him and felt his whole
body tense. His eyes opened wide like it was going to pop out of his eye sockets any
minute and his mouth dried up as he tried to talk, his hurt shin completely
forgotten.
Kenshin had been furious at his dad when he found out that they weren't going on
any business trip at all but staying at home to entertain some of his employees
along with their daughters. When Kenshin declared he wasn't staying so that his
dad could play match- maker for him, his dad had threatened to lock his bank
account. Knowing his dad was never one to use threats lightly, Kenshin had only
glared at his dad before going up to his room to sulk while the guests arrived. He'd
always hated the unwanted attention he gets from girls because of the fact that
he's his dad's son but today that hatred was probably a hundred fold, with the girls
having access to his house and chasing him around the house like predators
swooping in for the kill. None of them have interested him-until now.
Before he could get any words past his closed up throat she said angrily, "What are
you doing here?"
Another wave of shock suddenly hit him full force as finally he realized why the
beautiful girl in front of him looked so familiar. He looked her up and down as if not
believing his eyes and had the biggest urge to pinch himself just to see if he was
dreaming this all up.
"KaorUU?" His voice cracked badly and his face turned crimson red in
embarrassment.
Finding offense in his tone and thinking that he was somehow insulting her, Kaoru
raised her chin a notch and gave him a cold look. "What's it to you?" Her pride had
already suffered enough today with the way the men kept looking at her in disgust,
she wasn't about to let Kenshin trample all over it too.
"My god, it is you!"
"I thought that only the daughters of the employees were invited to this little
'gathering'." Kaoru wondered out loud empathizing on the word 'daughters'. "Were
you made an exception, or does Mr. Boss Man actually prefer male company over
female?" She inquired with an underlying meaning.
Kenshin felt his face grow hot with humiliation at her innuendo and at the insult
she'd made about his father. "For your information, I am an exception considering
the man who'd arrange this whole thing is my father!"
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" Kaoru yelled, feeling her heart
suddenly beating a mile a minute as the full implication of what Kenshin had just
revealed hit her smack in the face.
Kenshin was about to answer when suddenly another figure came out of the bushes.
"Kenshin why are you taking so long?" A sweet, but whiny voice complained. A girl in
an extremely short and slutty black spaghetti-strapped dress walked up to kenshin
and took a hold of his arm with an iron grip as she eyed Kaoru as if she was a
threat to her.
Seeing the surprise then the knowing expression that quickly flew across Kaoru
face made Kenshin feel like sighing out loud. Do all girls have such sick minds? He
thought as he turned to deal with Kaede who'd been following him all over the place
all day and wouldn't leave him alone.
Kaoru stood impatiently as Kenshin whispered into Kaede's ear then watched as she
left them alone but at a slow pace and often turning around to make sure that
Kenshin was looking at the way she was deliberately swaying her fat, ugly ass back
and forth. Kaoru felt sick to her stomach at the way the girl was degrading all of
women kind with her cheap display.
When she'd finally turned the corner and was out of sight Kaoru turned back to
Kenshin with an evil eye, as she looked him up and down with disgust. "I thought you
had better taste then that tramp, guess I was wrong." She said sarcastically as she
managed to look down at him even though he was a good head taller than she was.
"And they say that guys are the ones with the sick mind. Man, is sex the only thing
that's on your mind? First you go and insult my manhood then, claim my father is
gay and now you think that I've been going at it with some girl in a bush. I never
knew that you had such an overactive imagination," Kenshin replied with revulsion in
his voice.
"Hey, I'm still a girl the least you could do is modify your language!" Kaoru yelled
hypocritically.
"Ha, yeah I'm sure you're real sheltered and innocent," Kenshin scoffed then his
face suddenly seemed to light up with inspiration. "Since we're on this whole
topic.what are you doing here anyway, and don't say that the curiosity of what my
house looks like was just too tempting to refuse." Kenshin said sarcastically. "Or
maybe it's the thought that you might be able to lure my dad into your bed so you
could make money off of him that made you so ready to put away your boy clothes
and dress like that." He finished as if the thought has just entered his mind as he
pointed up and down at Megumi's summer dress.
Kaoru had never felt so murderous before in her life and had to make an effort not
to kick him where it hurts most. "How dare you-."
"How dare you come here to my house and act all snotty like a royal bitch then
insult my family." Kenshin interrupted as he felt his own anger, which has been
simmering ever since he saw Kaoru begin to flare out of control.
"YOU ASSHOLE!" Kaoru screeched then before he could stop her she ran up to him
and slapped him across the face. The resounding 'smack' seemed to echo over and
over again in their ears and time appeared to have stopped moving all together.
Every thing faded into the background as Kenshin incredulous gaze stared down at
Kaoru. Kaoru's eyes opened wide in shock as she grasped too late what she had just
done and the major consequences that could come out of it.*
kaoru looked down at her hand as if she still can't believe what she's done. Then
she slowly raised her eyes to Kenshin's face that now has a light red imprint of her
hand on his left cheek. His eyes were round as saucers as he gazed down at her
still not being able to take in the fact that she'd slapped him across the face.
"Kaoru, there you are."
Kaoru felt all the blood on her face drain away and for the first time in her life
felt on the verge of fainting.
"Kaoru? Are you okay?"
Before he could come up to her, Kaoru quickly turned around and gave him a fake
smile praying hard in her mind that Kenshin won't say anything.
"Hi dad," she said with false cheerfulness, "What are you doing here?"
"Oh I just wanted to make sure that you're enjoying yourself. Hello Mr. Himura,"
"Please call me Kenshin," Kenshin replied politely as he nodded his head in
acknowledgement when he heard his name. Kaoru felt a sense of relief wash over
\her and suddenly had an urge to sit down, her legs feeling so wobbly.
"Very well," Kaoru dad replied with a happy smile, "I'm glad you two are getting
along. Now Kaoru remember this is not your house so be on your best behavior."
Her dad lectured her, making her feel like three again.
"Tousan!"
"Well I guess since you seem to be okay here, I'll leave the two of you alone." Kaoru
wanted to call him back but was scared that Kenshin would blurt out what had
happened and get her in big trouble. When her dad was out of sight she slowly
turned back and gave Kenshin a cautious look.
"Why didn't you tell my dad what happened? Are you planning on telling your dad
and getting mine fired?" Kaoru asked bluntly wanting to get it over with. She knew
that this was probably the first time someone ever slapped Kenshin from his
reaction and knew that if his dad found out, her dad will be out of work.
"I didn't feel like it.he seems like a nice man I don't want him to be distressed
because his daughter acted so stupidly." Kenshin insulted but Kaoru could not say
anything back because she knew it was true. "As for the second question, I still
have to think about it." Kenshin looked Kaoru up and down with a thoughtful
expression on his face.
"Don't make me slap you again," Kaoru warned dangerously. There was only so much
she can take, even the thought of her dad losing his job could still not stop her
temper from showing it's ugly head.
"It's not written in stone that I have to tell my dad." Kenshin said with a heavy
meaning behind his words.
"What do you want?"
"Hmm, that all depends doesn't it."
Kaoru's eyes turned into slits as she gave Kenshin a threatening look. "Don't worry
I'm not trying to get you into bed. I don't want to be killed in my sleep and since
anyway, I've always preferred girls."
"YOU-."
"Do you want me to keep my mouth shut or what?" Kaoru clamped her mouth closed
but had to clench her hands to keep herself from jumping him. "Remember that car
you kicked last time? Well it's kind of dirty right now and I need someone to clean
it." Kenshin said with satisfaction as he crossed his arms and stared down at Kaoru
daring her to refuse his request.
"Fine," Kaoru muttered grumpily even though deep down she was relieved that it
took so little to shut him up. She washes her car all the time this should be a
breeze. "When can I start?"
"Now," Kenshin replied and felt like laughing when he saw the incredulous
expression cross her face.
"IN THIS?" She yelled spreading her dress out with disbelief. It was really pretty
actually; a baby blue dress that came down her knees covered with small, light pink
roses that sprayed throughout the dress.
"I find nothing wrong with it," Kenshin shrugged but he knew that as soon as water
touches it, the dress would become quite transparent making it impossible to keep
her modesty. To him it was still too small a price to pay for slapping him but he
recognized the fact that if he pushed her too far she might just be dumb enough
to test his good grace and slap him for a second time.
"I WON'T."
"Hmm, I wonder how my dad is going to react-."
"OKAY!" Kaoru yelled hurriedly scared that someone might be close by and hear
him.
* * *
"Hey Pierre," Megumi said happily as she entered the restaurant and took a deep
breath, smelling the delicious aroma coming from foods that she'd never be able to
afford.
"Ah, ma cherie.its such a relief to have dependable workers like you," He said
charmingly with a heavy French accent as he smiled and gave her a peck on the
cheek. "(Sighs) you still have that horrible pair of glasses? Every time you come in
I always hope you've come to your senses and got rid of them. Won't you make an
old man happy and take them off for even one day?" Pierre cajoled with puppy eyes.
"Haha, nice try Pierre but you know I never take them off." Megumi answered with
an apologetic tone but it was ruined by the sly smile on her face.
"Very well, I guess I will have to die an unfulfilled man." Pierre sighed then waved
her to the changing room. "Hurry up, we're busy tonight and need as many hands
out there as possible."
"Isn't it always busy?" Megumi joked then ran in laughing when Pierre scrunched up
his face.
* * *
"So what do you think of this place?" Sano asked smugly when he saw the
impressed expression written all over Keiko's face. She looked, as always, beautiful
and sophisticated in her spaghetti strap red dress that catches everyone's eyes as
she walks by.
"It's beautiful, how'd you get a reservation for this restaurant? I heard that you
had to reserve a table at least two months ahead of time." She asked with
interest.
"I have connections," Sano answered vaguely making Keiko more attracted in him by
the minute. She love guys who have the money to spend on her but even more she
finds guys who have the attitude to go along with it, an added bonus for her
wasting her time trying to get them. Sano not only has these two qualities she
wanted but also he was young and good-looking.
"Let's order," Sano suggested, as he handed her a menu then opened up his own and
looked at the selection but found his eyes going back repeatedly to Keiko's face.
Finding it a bit disconcerting the way he can't concentrate on what he's doing he
raised his hands to get a waiter.
* * *
"Megumi, I need you to take the order at the table by the window near the alcove,"
Pierre told her as soon as she walked out of the changing room.
"Sure, do they speak French?"
"No, so you don't have to worry," Pierre joked knowing that Megumi was as fluent in
French as she was in Japanese.
Megumi walked out from the kitchen and made her way to the private section of
the restaurant where all the best table were located and nearly dropped her
notepad as she neared her assigned table. She felt her mouth dropping open as
shock overcame her and her feet wouldn't move causing people to look her way at
her strange behavior. Megumi felt her face growing hot not from the funny looks
she was getting but from the anger that began to bubble over in full force and the
humiliation she felt from knowing that she was so stupid.
Sano looked up from his menu trying to see why it was taking so long for a waiter
to come over to their table and almost dropped it when he saw Megumi standing a
couple of feet from them. Oh shit, Sano thought savagely as he looked down at his
table with a deep frown. He didn't care that Megumi found out he'd lied to her but
he didn't want her to ruin his date and knowing Megumi, she was conniving enough
to do it. Why the hell does she have to work here.how the hell did she get to work
here in the first place? He thought angrily wishing he'd chosen another restaurant
to eat at instead of La Palace.
~Aya~