By Hotaru
Disclaimer: I don't own RRK. But I'd do ANYTHING to be in Kenshin's shoes, even for one day. (Geez, not the Kenshin in this fic though. He's one bad ass college student and I just hope Kaoru gives him a beating he won't forget!!!)Then again, if I were Kaoru, would I have the heart to do that?
Warning: PG for language. More biting and snide remarks from Kenshin. Please don't flame him, though. Or me. Just bored to death here and want to torture our hero for fun. ^_^
Chapter 4: Day TWO/Part III
Sesshawaru Kenshin:
I let her comment slide, but that doesn't mean she's off the hook. Consider me heartless, but I don't forgive and forget. No. Those two words were never in my vocabulary, and I'm no prudish moralist to say that they even matter. I've survived this long without faith, without HIM being around when times are tough, so why would I even bother my conscience with crap like that? No, definitely not. The ball's in my field, and the rules of the game are just about to change…
Don't they always do?
Already, I have a few tricks up my sleeve to make the poor little girl's life one living hell…
Yup, that's the plan. And I'm going to enjoy every little minute of it.
A rich womanly voice greeted me from behind and I turned in time to catch a pair of long, slender arms wrap themselves around my neck, pulling me into an embrace that could have choked even a snake.
Takani has always been a little sneakish. But it was the hug that really pisses me off. If not for the fact that it affords me an opportunity to feel her breasts…
"Hey cutsie, what took you so long? I've been waiting for an hour, and to think that Pierre was so mad for my sneaking out of the studio just to be here…"
There, didn't I just say she was sneakish?
"Well, actually, Miss Megumi Takani…" I drawled coolly, then grabbed her chin and pulled her into a deep kiss, pushing my tongue inside her mouth to spar with her own, grazing her teeth, her palate, before tugging her lower lip gently, a slight moan escaping her as I lingered for a few seconds, enough to make her groan a little louder. Needless to say, that little gesture left her out of breath, disheveled (since my hands also took the liberty of fingering her long locks) and as my reputation stands, panting for more.
I love it.
The familiar chuckles were all around us, and it gave my insides a little lurch, like the sensation one gets from riding a roller coaster the first time. I always relish those moments. Not that Takani's a perfect kisser—I mean, I had better, and had gone even BEYOND a mere kiss—I mean, I'm a man, ain't I? But there's always something so…so…gut satisfying about the knowledge that you can play around a person's weaknesses just like that, without her having ANY idea what power she had just so willingly surrendered.
And what that power can do if allowed to work so freely…
People sometimes can be so open, so transparent, so naïve, I guess. And despite her wordliness, Takani is still that—naïve and easy, like the entire female race.
But that, of course, is no reason to complain.
But the real catch was not there. When I stole a glance at the other girl's direction, I had to purse my lips and kick my butt mentally to keep myself hooting with laughter.
Gods, her face!!! She was flushing different shades of crimson right under my nose, totally giving away her state of unnerved-ness. How uncool of her, of course, but wasn't that what motivated me from the start? To see her so goddamn upset and flaming and out of control about something I did, so I can push her, manipulate her, tell her I'm in control, even of her most deep-seated passions?
I have never lost, see? But before I could completely relish my victory, somebody laid a heavy hand on my shoulder, unsettlingly deep blue eyes meeting mine.
"What's up Aoish?" I asked casually, knowing pretty well the reason behind his frown.
"I was supposed to ask you the same question" he replied, never too embellished in words. "The game's gonna start in thirty minutes and Coach Katsura's not entirely happy about you being fashionably late."
"C'mon Aoish, you know he NEVER gets mad when I'm around" I snickered, taking my bag from one my attendants to toss it to the still infuriated Kaoru.
Aoish wondered at the gesture, his quiet gaze registering her every feature with as much emotion as a clam.
"Oh, don't bother helping her with my stuff," I told him, when he stepped uncertainly towards her, as if to steady her balance. I completely forgot that the bag was the heavier of two, and that a size like hers—which is real puny, not that I'm some big muscle guy myself—will have a hard time carrying it around. "You see," I began, flashing my widest smile, "Uncle Hiko just gifted me with a personal maid, to make my life a little bit more interesting."
Aoish didn't change his expression a hair. Was he a clam in his previous life? No, he couldn't be.
He must have been a rock.
He must have been a rock under the Dalai Lama's butt to deserve such good looks in THIS life, though.
I sighed. Where was Sano when I needed him? He would have slapped his thigh at my announcement then laughed like a drunk in the poor critter's face. I would like to see how she colors an even deeper red at that.
It was then that I noticed a slight movement in my arm and turned to see Takani shifting uneasily against me, her hip latched onto mine like I'm some hanger or something. Oh well. It was a sure sign that the woman needs my precious attention, not that women can live without it for a second.
I was more curious than interested though, when I found that she wasn't even paying the least bit attention to me. She was looking straight at Kaoru, her irises mere pinpoints.
If those eyes were daggers, I swear she could have killed an army.
Or maybe I wasn't just reading her right. I mean, Takani upset at the little bitch? Why would she? I've seen her raving jealous about other girls but… Kaoru the maid? Hah!!! Did somebody bonk her on the head or something? The bitch, after all, is totally way out of my league, so how can ANY one think I would stoop so low as to even…
"How long have you been staying in Ken-san's, Miss Whatever-your-name-is?"
The poor girl looked startled at first, but she seemed smart and recovered rather quickly. "Kaoru."
"Pardon me?" Takani pressed, giving her a cold, hard stare.
"Kamiya Kaoru. That's my name, Miss Takani"
"Oh," she wheezed silkily, picking a strand of loose raven hair on her shoulder, before squeezing her eyes shut at the girl, only to open them with a flutter, a crooked smile on her lips.
Takani's an expert flirt. If there were a school for such a thing, she would have earned her PhD with flying colors. But Takani trying to look intimidating? I would have laughed at THAT if it wouldn't destroy the chance of my seeing the outcome of this interesting chat…
"Well then, Kamiya, I see you're good at avoiding questions," she rasped wickedly, batting her eyelashes at the girl, who was trying her best to look straight into the woman's face. "As I was saying, how long have you known Ken-san?"
Geez, where's the subtlety in that? I mean, if Takani wants to know the facts, I can tell her in bed. Does she have to ask stupid, nondescript questions to flatter a man's ego???
"We've just met. In fact, my things are still in the car."
Then of all things, Kaoru smiled. Like THAT was a good answer.
Sheesh…I just can't believe how simple-minded this girl is. If I were in her place, I would've lashed at Takani and told her to mind her own business. Not that insulting my girlfriend is a way to start a working relationship. Don't ask me why but something about the girl's sudden helplessness makes me angry and uncomfortable… I mean, with an attitude like that, Takani'll be eating her alive…
Obviously I was right. Takani was using me to infuriate the girl out of her innocent little wits by rubbing her well-endowed chest against mine, her thigh doing the same to my groin area, which actually, was just a little bit worse than what I did before, in terms of decency. As if for emphasis, she even released a breathless sigh, making clear her covert message that I was her property and Kaoru better watch it!
I shook my head. Women
Takani's eyes fluttered, watching the girl amusedly as she awkwardly did her best to avoid looking at her and mine umm…intimate rubbing. But really, I wasn't THAT bad. I mean, no matter what a girl does, I never groaned in public. I guess I've always prided myself for having the upper hand in THAT area.
"That's pretty convenient Kamiya," Takani said after a while, releasing her hold on me. "You were probably crossing the road when Ken-san just happened to pass by. Oh, and you must be wearing a name tag too, weren't you?"
Normally, I would've found that funny, but strangely, I didn't.
Call it sadistic, but somehow, I felt jealous—like Takani's robbing me of MY exclusive right to piss Kamiya off. She is mine after all. A gift from Hiko.
And you don't share gifts do you?
Despite Takani's distracting little caresses, I managed to sneak a look at the poor little bitch. The girl seemed obviously confused at the question. Her blue eyes narrowed slightly, staring at her sandals as if they've suddenly taken on an air of sacred profundity that was impossible to ignore. "That really isn't true, Miss Takani" she answered in a small voice, her sapphire eyes looking up a little shyly. "You see, I was sent to this agency…"
"Agency?" Takani was bubbling with sheer joy, her eyes gloating at the horrifyingly crude honesty of that answer. You gotta be kidding!!! I mean, Ken-san, this one's for REAL???"
I didn't even have to answer THAT. I mean, what's the use of words if the truth's too obvious to even talk about???
Gods, Takani and I must've drank from the same vampire. We're both ruthless, conniving, and always ready to pounce at anything that remotely resembles our alter-egos. Whether that should be the reason we're together, however, eludes me…
I think that was the beginning of everything, if I were to answer, a couple of years from now, someone's question about how, in fact, everything happened. As for me, I was never more disturbed that night as I was in my entire 20 years of existence. For even in the midst of the loud roaring of fans and the commotion on the field during the game, I started to think about those things I hate about me…
. . . . . . . . .
Angel-rei Kaoru:
If there ever was a woman created to be Kenshin Himura's equal in almost all aspects but the good, it would have been Miss Megumi Takani.
Takani-san, if I may say so, is like Himura's third soul, trapped in a woman's body—plus all the gooey make-up of course. I mean, there doesn't seem to be a single spot on her already flawless face that hasn't been covered up with at least three layers of cosmetics. In my honest opinion, she would've been more beautiful if she wasn't too busy trying to hide it under all that make-up…
Anyway, I know for a fact that Takani-san's unpleasant attitude towards me springs from nothing more shallow than plain, simple, jealousy. I'm rather glad that that was the reason though, since it would give me greater reason to avoid Himura like a plague.
I mean, the guy's really infuriating. No, devilishly infuriating. Sometimes I wonder why of all the angels sent here on earth, I was the one to find him.
Rei-jin, I mean. The two-souled guardian of heaven and hell. The one who will bring the two kingdoms to war, to decide the Fates of the universe.
You know how often something of that grand proportion happens here in the cosmos?
Astronomically rare. Like once in every one hundred fifty cycles of eternity.
How long is each cycle? I'm sure you wouldn't want me to go into that!!! I mean, it's difficult enough explaining it in angel tongue, and more difficult in another language where no such concepts still exist. Suffice it to say though, that the universe, as we all know it, represents the fifth cycle of this thing you call "eternity". Since we've been taught that the universe should survive at least seven billion cycles, you can just imagine how many more cycles must be completed in an eternity's time span before the universe can be completely reborn again.
In other words, cycles are ways of measuring when the Gods may intervene to change the Fates of Creation, for the protection of the great Cosmic Balance.
I know that sort of thing's quite difficult to spell, whether in the language of science or religion. That's why I said I offer no logic.
Only truth.
And behind every truth is always another question.
But as I said, I won't go deeper into that. If Rei-jin is the one Chosen to mediate between the Gods because he bears within him the essence of balance itself—the yin and the yang, the complementary forces binding all aspects of this so-called Cosmic Order—then so be it. Who am I to quarrel with issues of astronomical proportions???
Besides, with the soccer game being what it is, I don't have the energy to elaborate. Sometimes I wonder what could be so interesting about a ball that just gets kicked around for two hours to no end. People do that to other people all the time, and this game isn't even half as interesting as THAT.
Good thing I was dozing off halfway through the game. I'd hate to see Himura's face taking it all in, the scantily-dressed cheerleaders, the screaming fans, most of all the annoying underwear-throwing that happens whenever he passes near the audience to wave or have his picture taken.
Yup, even in the middle of the game, he manages a winning smile, and keeps himself in order—not a single lock of that red hair out of place.
Or maybe looking disheveled just suits his looks even better. I look away, not wanting him to think I mean that as a compliment.
The vain peacock!!!
As I was saying, I was half dozing through the game, and probably would have done so 'til God knows when if not for the concussions I got from fans jumping up and down the benches throwing anything they can get their hands on, into the field. Tough luck. If I were concentrating, I would have done something more serious to keep Himura's team from winning. But as I said, any violation of the rules of conduct for all rei-sharus would mean spending more days with him—my official seshawaru from this time onwards.
And that's the most horrible detention I can think of.
I was about to pass out from all the noise, and the smell—Gods, these people do sweat a lot!!!—when I felt someone giving my shoulder a light squeeze. I looked up to see the most angelic smile I've ever seen in my entire life. I was thinking of reserving that compliment to my kind, but his smile was really breath-taking.
And disturbingly unreal…
"Hi, my name's Soujiro. Seta Soujiro, but you can simply call me Sou. Kenshin wants you so he sent me here to guide you back to the limo."
"Oh" was all I managed to say. If you were in my shoes, you'd probably say the O's a bit longer—something I could imagine Takani had done several times to get Himura's attention.
Now where did I get off thinking about that jerk???
Anyway, when I reached the limo, Kenshin had already changed from the sweaty blue and white uniform with "Tokyo University" written in large, black characters, to a simple black, turtleneck sweater the only embellishment of which was the long silver chain resting on it, dangling a silver pendant the shape of a Japanese katana.
I would have to give him credit for his sense of style. It was his scent, though, that was to die for.
It was soft, white musk, almost effeminate, but so fitting really, for someone who's masculinity had graces one would rarely see even in women.
In other words, it was more his aura, which matches that scent—the aura of self-confidence and command he carries with him around like that scar on his left cheek…
I didn't even notice that scar until now. Maybe the scent really helped make it more…appealing.
And worth paying attention to, even if one should resist.
It made me cringe, however, to realize how much attention I've been paying him lately. But you can't really blame me can I? After all, in this job, I'm the one who's supposed to keep a close watch of him, even if I don't like it. And with this aura overwhelming my senses whenever he's around, I satisfied myself with the thought that being Rei-jin, Himura shouldn't be any less…
"Have you been properly introduced to the group?" a voice asked me, the moment we settled inside the limo, Soujiro strangely insisting that I take the seat next to his.
Himura didn't complain about it, though I have the strangest feeling he was watching my every move.
The jerk!!! Did he think I'm gonna even try make a pass at his friends? I may be a maid, but I'm no social climber!!! Definitely NOT!!!
"Uhh…this is Aoish Shinomori here, the guy who always buries his head in a book," Soujiro smiled, eyes shifting to meet blue, frozen orbs.
"We've met" I told Soujiro, wondering at the guy who, like before, barely even looked at me for three seconds before burying himself into the depths of his Zen preoccupation.
"And this, by the way, is Okita. He looks a lot like me because we're cousins."
I nodded at the smiling Okita, mentally noting the uncanny similarity in their smile.
"Over there is Saitou, the head of Himura's bodyguard team. And seated beside him is Kamatari. She's the head attendant who sees to Himura's schedule, and other personal needs…"
"That was nice, Okita dearest" I heard the man say, her voice light and silky as feather, as she bestowed us a charming, knowingly mysterious smile.
Wait a minute…she??!!! So the guy in the tuxedo is a she??!!!
I found myself just ever so slightly jealous. After all, what right does a guy have to be prettier than half the female population???
"We're here!!! Gods, I almost thought we'd be stuck in that stupid traffic forever!!!" Himura grumbled loudly, pushing the door open as soon as the limo stopped.
I looked around us and would have earned another smirk from Himura for gaping like mad at the tall building in black glass towering above us, if Soujiro had not interrupted by gallantly offering his arm.
"Will you allow me, Miss Kamiya???"
I nodded my thanks, returning his smile as best I could.
For some strange reason, Himura scowled at him, then ignored us the whole evening.
Not that it was something to complain about, of course.
"Hey Aoish, you never really told us about that blind date I've set up between you and Sayo… Keeps me wondering if it were that BAD or GOOD to start with," Himura laughed, waving a way the waitress who had been passing by our table rather frequently since we got there—asking if she may refill his drink or take a new order.
By the looks of it, she wasn't just being an exemplary worker. I've noticed that she'd been checking out Himura since we entered the building, making not-so-subtle attempts at brushing his elbow with her chest when leaning forward to take his order, or giving him a full view of whatever's inside that low-necked uniform of hers, when bending down to retrieve a napkin, or refill his drink.
It was nauseating.
Himura must have seen through me, for he followed my eyes and snickered when he saw where exactly I was looking. Without breaking the conversation, he waved to the waitress who was beside him in seconds, whispering something in her ear.
Soujiro looked at me as I turned away, my face heating.
"Uhhh…Kamiya-san, are you alright? You look a little flushed…"
"I'm fine, really Sou--,"
My tongue locked just like that. Right before us, Himura was giving the waitress' butt a generous squeeze.
The pervert, the leech, the—the—unholy little…"
"It wasn't a date to start with, Himura. It turned out she was allergic to anything that has alcohol, and that was the end of it," Aoish was saying, though I must have lost track of the subject, for it took me more than a minute to figure out what that was about.
Himura crinkled the corners of his lips, making sure that I can see the grin of amusement he was flashing in my direction.
"I didn't tell you to get her drunk. Though for Takani, that would've worked."
"Obvious how you keep her in strings."
"Yup," he answered cockily, taking a swig of his beer. "So, what did you end up doing anyway?"
"Nothing I'd like to talk about."
Even Soujiro was obviously taken by that remark—out of curiosity I guess, more than for any other reason. I mean, coming from someone as coldly calm and calculating as Aoish, a denial like that is a controversy of cosmic proportions.
"I see," Himura said after ten seconds, watching his friend from beneath shadowed eyes. He gestured to the waitress once again, prompting me to look away, even if I willed my head to stay and stare like nothing's going on.
They say practice makes perfect. Maybe if I see him doing that often enough, I'd get used to it.
But how do you teach your mind to ignore something that scares you like hell?
"Oh, not for me, but for the little lady over there, miss."
In my distraction, I didn't notice the waitress filling my glass with a dark brown liquid, until the smell assaulted my senses and I saw his face across the table grinning devilishly at me.
I knew this was a bad beginning.
"So, don't tell me you'd chicken out on a little alcohol???" he told me impishly, chin resting on his left hand as he leaned forward on the table, batting languid violet eyes at me.
Charming… those deep purple eyes looking straight into mine like there was nothing else around us. I shook my head slightly, trying to quiet the insistent throbbing there that reached all the way to my chest.
If I had the chance, I would gladly kick his butt all the way to hell for driving me nuts like that…
"Look, Himura, I don't think that's a good—"
"Shut up, Soujiro," he snapped, almost making him jump. I saw the boy look away as if embarrassed, leaning back into his seat as if to keep his distance both from me and from Himura.
I mustered all my strength to meet his death glare.
"Look. I'm NOT going to drink any stupid, stinking alcohol, even if you make me Himura. I'm a maid but my services don't include making an ass of myself just to please your perverted sense of fun."
He continued to stare at me as if I haven't said a single word at all.
"Drink," he repeated, voice calmer this time.
I shook my head. I'm not gonna let a jerk like him push me around, Rei-jin or not.
"I can't and I won't."
Amethyst turned amber as he slammed his fist hard on the table, knocking off his glass. It shattered into a hundred shards below us, the sound loud enough to cause some heads to turn in our direction.
"Drink dammit!!!"
I would have had an excuse to ignore Himura and turn my attention to the other customers if a male waiter in black tuxedo had not immediately intervened, motioning the scant onlookers to ignore us. Since we're several tables away and there were very few people really in the same room with us, it would be easy to mistake the noise for nothing much but teenage racket. I guess that's how the waiter explained it anyway, though for the life of me, I can't figure out why he and the manager would tolerate the fuss this arrogant demon before me was making.
I looked at Aoish for help. No, he was taking in the entire scene smoothly, like he was watching some Italian opera or something.
Stupid useless rock that one!!!
Again, I shook my head, though I was consciously aware that my refusal was weak, and if he pushed it, I would give in any moment, tears almost stinging my eyes as I trembled, angry for doing so.
"Onegai…"
Even my mouth would not cooperate, saying that, instead of a straight and clear 'no.'
He didn't even blink.
"Do you even care about your job, you little bitch????"
My ears almost drummed at that. I know I have an attitude but does he have to call me names then fire me for something so trivial and whimsical? Who is he anyway?
Yeah, a spoiled, selfish brat—and probably the richest—in Japan. He's also Rei-jin on top of that.
It was the second consideration that got to me. Were he an ordinary sesshawaru, I would have simply filed for re-appointment back in Blue Rose College. But this is not one of those cases.
My silence probably convinced him that shouting and name-calling won't work miracles for him, so he tried to speak more calmly this time.
"Look, if you want this job desperately, drink that down and I promise not to piss you off for the entire week, alright?"
What do you do when the choice has already been made for you?
I took the glass and stopping my breath to keep me from vomiting, I drank down the alcohol in two straight gulps.
Actually…that wasn't all THAT bad.
For five seconds at least. Then my head started spinning and everything turned black.
I could hear voices inside my head, but other than that, I was content to stay in this deep, drunk darkness. At least here is a safe place where I don't have to see his face, his eyes, and hear that strange throbbing again in my chest when Himura looked at me and told me…
. . . . . . . . . .
Author's thanks: I'd like to extend my special gratitude to Sandy (^_^ hugs too!!!) , Jason M. Lee, and chibi-ken14 (Sou) for being there to give helpful comments and support for this fic. Without you guys, I won't be THAT inspired to write things down, and I hope you do stick around for fun. May, omochi, and no body also gave a lot of support so--you know who you are guys—thanks a million!!!
This sessha had just spotted an alien intruder and alarmed the Jedi-ronins.
Stray: Be-deep, be-deep, be-deep deep, deep…
Sandy: Um…do you know that this is supposed to be a secured area?
Stray: Bee-bee deep, deep, deep…
Sandy: If you don't leave, I might be forced to take precautionary measures to ensure that you don't pose risks to the civilians here.
Stray: Arr-dee, dee, dee, deep…
Sandy: You asked for it. Here it comes. (Brings down his/her light saber-sakaba sword and wounds the intruder on the shoulder ^_^)
Stray: Weee—zee—zee-deep, deep…deeeeeeep.
Behind him, somebody in a white gi and hakama approaches.
Kenshin: Good work, deshi. ^_^ I see that the Ki's getting stronger inside you everyday.
Sandy: Domo arigatou, sensei!!!
NOTE: I know, I know, "Jedi-ronin" and "light saber-sakaba sword" don't really sound right. It must be stress. I must take some needed sleep before typing my thesis this time.
Thanks Sandy, really!!! I hope you don't mind. This is going to be the last of my string of "Stray" jokes, so please don't flame me. I do consider you as the best, 'friendliest' reviewer I've got, so hope you enjoy this!!!
Ciao!!!
