DISCLAIMER: Rurouni Kenshin and Rurouni Kenshin characters are exclusively owned by Watsuki Nobuhiro, Shueisha, Sony Entertainment, Jump Comics and associated parties. Please note, this is purely fiction and for entertainment purposes only. This story is not meant for sale or profit.
Author's Notes: A silly A/U comedy about the anxieties Kaoru goes through while preparing for her first high school reunion and her first real kiss with Kenshin. Comedy/Romance "Kiss Me Again" by Gypsy-chan Enjoy!^_^
Please note: The characters will be OOC, especially Kaoru and Megumi's character. I really pushed Megumi's bad habit of flirting and Kaoru's insecurity to the limit. There's no plot, rhyme or reason to this ficcie. I just wanted to have fun. Enjoy!^_^
Part Three
"Yes, I'll do it," answered Kaoru signing two thumbs up. "Now that I have a date, I've got to figure out a cool hair style." Kaoru grinned wickedly as she reached up to the shelf over the sink and pulled down a box full of wigs.
"Hey what are you going to do with those wigs," asked Omasu.
"You'll see," winked Kaoru.
*************************
Kaoru put a wig on her head. "What would you say if I go to our class reunion as a bold blonde," she inquired as she modeled the long, wavy platinum blonde wig on her head.
"Sorry Kaoru-chan. It's uhm... not quite you," chuckled Okon.
"Okay," she quickly grabbed another wig from out of the box, "how about a blushing brunette," she asked while batting her eyes feigning a demure stance. Omasu looked at the brunette wig with cascading Shirley Temple curls and green ribbons tied in it. She tried to keep from laughing but still giggled. "Sorry for laughing but that is not you."
Kaoru snatched the wig off her head and chuckled, "I was just kidding. There's no way I'd wear that tacky thing." She glanced over to Kamatari and smirked inwardly as she rummaged through the box. "I think I've found the perfect hairstyle." Kaoru pulled out a long red curly wig that had been teased to the max and put it on her hair.
"So girls, how about this one? I could go as a raunchy red head like Kamatari." Kaoru began sauntering around the room, emulating Kamatari's mannerisms.
"No! I don't think so girlfriend!" Kamatari jumped up and put her hands on her hips. "No one can be as raunchy as me!" She began strutting around the room on her high heel platformed shoes swaying her hips and shaking her chest.
Okon, Omasu and Misao burst in laughter while Kaoru yelled out catcalls.
"Woof! Woof! Shake it Kamatari! Show us what you're made of!"
Kamatari grinned wickedly at Misao and said, "There's only one person I'll let see what I'm made of." She pulled the hem of her skirt upward and flashed Misao.
"Ewww! You're so disgusting," yelled Misao while covering her eyes. "You should keep that stuff under lock and key!"
Kaoru fell to the floor in laughter. Okon and Omasu were already on the floor rolling in laughter.
"Well you had that coming Misao," smirked Kamatari. "Next time you'll think twice about teasing me about my boobs. Truce," she asked as she extended her hand to Misao.
"Yeah," Misao smiled while accepting her hand. "We're even."
"Hey you girls, fun time is over. We have customers waiting to get their hair done," said Tomoe as she entered the room.
"Sorry Miss Tomoe." They all hurried past Tomoe to the front of the store. Kaoru quickly put the wigs back neatly in the box and return the box to the shelf.
As Kaoru walked passed Tomoe, she whispered into Kaoru's ear, "I think you'll look just fine as a radiant raven haired girl. It suits you best."
Kaoru blushed and smiled from Tomoe's compliment. Tomoe returned to her office and Kaoru went over to her next customer. As she poured shampoo onto her customer's hair, her mind began to drift on the class reunion.
"I was so nervous about going to my first high school reunion and facing Megumi again. I heard that she became a doctor and is very successful in her practice. I was really dreading the thought of Megumi rubbing her career in my face. But after speaking with Miss Tomoe and my friends this morning, I feel more confident in my career. Megumi can keep her big time doctor practice. I have something that she will never have, real friends."
As Kaoru rinsed the shampoo out of her customer's hair she began to giggle to herself as she thought on the male escort. "Hmmm..... I wonder who my male escort will look like? I can't wait to find out."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later that evening, Kaoru dropped by the Akabeko to see her friend Tae.
"Thank you and come again," smiled Tae as she locked the door behind the last customer. After turning over the "Closed" sign, she went over to the booth where Kaoru was waiting for her. Tae noticed that her friend had dozed off. She leaned over the table and tapped Kaoru on the shoulder lightly. "Kaoru-chan..."
Kaoru sat up abruptly upon hearing Tae's voice. "Sorry Miss, I'll rinse that shampoo out of your hair in a moment!"
"It's only me silly," giggled Tae as she sat down. "You must have had a busy day like we did here at the Akabeko." She poured Kaoru a cup of tea and handed it to her.
"Yes, I can't believe the number of tourists we had in town today," she stated after accepting the tea. "But, I'm glad it's over. I have so many things to do before Saturday."
"That's right, your high school reunion is this weekend. You must be really looking forward to it."
Kaoru smiled for a moment as she placed her tea cup on the table. "At first I was a little skeptical about attending. But now, I am looking forward to going. Tomorrow I'll have to use my lunch hour shopping for a dress. I'm sure there's nothing in the stores this week. All the good stuff is probably sold out because of the reunion."
"Don't worry about that Kaoru-chan. You can wear one of my evening gowns. Wait right here." Tae went over to her personal closet and pulled out two evening gowns. She returned to the booth with the gowns in her hands.
"Here they are." She held up one gown in her right hand and the other in her left. "Which one would you like to wear?"
Kaoru looked at both gowns. "They are both very beautiful. But don't you need them? I thought you and your twin sister Sae were going to cater the food for the class reunion."
"Yes we are. However, my sister designed some really cute matching caterer's outfits. So I won't be wearing neither of these gowns on Saturday."
Kaoru smiled mischieviously. "Well in that case, I'll take the off the shoulder royal blue evening gown on the right."
"Good choice," smiled Tae. "I was thinking the same thing. Now that we have that settled, what about your date? Who are you planning to go with?"
"Miss Tomoe suggested I contact the male escort service her husband owns. So, that's what I'm going to do."
"That's a great idea Kaoru-chan," replied Tae. "You've got your evening gown, I'm sure you'll have Misao do your hair and now you're all set with a male chaperone. Everything is perfect. But...", she tilted her head sideways at Kaoru, "for some reason, I get the feeling you're not happy."
Kaoru sighed, "yes, I see I can't hide anything from you." Tae smiled and nodded. "Believe it or not, I still think about "him". Ever since I was a little girl, I always dreamed of being with "him" forever. I realize that we haven't seen each other in years but, sometimes it's so hard to stop thinking about "him". Kaoru took her finger and started tracing imaginary circles on the table. "I guess you probably think I'm crazy, huh."
Tae placed her hand over Kaoru's. "No. I don't think you're crazy. You and Ken..." Tae quickly covered her mouth when Kaoru glared at her. "Sorry about that, I forgot." She blushed slightly and started again.
"Kaoru, it's only natural for you to miss, "him". However, it's time to move on with your life. You haven't dated anyone since you broke up with, "him". I know you've been busy lately concentrating all your efforts into your career. You did the same thing when you were in high school and college. But, I think it's time for you to move on Kaoru-chan. Who knows, you'll probably find a nice guy at your class reunion."
"You're right Tae," smiled Kaoru. "I've got to stop thinking about the past. I'm 23 years old now and it's time to move on," she pounded her fist on the table for emphasis. "I'm going to start at my high school reunion. That place will be crawling with hot single guys!"
"That's the right attitude Kaoru." She gave her the thumbs up sign. "Oh I forgot. You'll definitely need to bring some extra protection with you to the reunion." Tae pulled off her engagement ring and slipped it on Kaoru's finger.
"Your engagement ring?" Kaoru gave her a puzzled look. "Why are you giving me your engagement ring?"
"As I said, protection," she answered. "It's a little trick I used to do when I ran into some dork. I would slip on my mother's engagement ring and pretended to be engaged. The dorky guys never knew the difference."
Kaoru chuckled lightly. "Your engagement ring is so beautiful," she said while tilting her hand in the light. "Won't your husband miss it?"
"Don't worry about him. He took our twin daughters, Tsubame and Marimo to his mother's house for the weekend. He knew that my sister and I would be busy over seeing the catering of the food for your high school reunion. So, it will be fine. Besides, I still have my wedding band on. He'll never noticed the difference."
"Thank you Tae-chan," Kaoru said while hugging her friend, "you're the best friend anyone could ever have. I'll return your ring and evening gown on Sunday."
"That's fine by me. The important thing is for you to have fun," Tae said while squeezing Kaoru back. "We can chat later after the class reunion is over."
Kaoru grabbed her purse and left the restuarant.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The day of the class reunion arrived. Kaoru was rushing around her apartment trying to find her earrings.
"Of all days to lose my earrings! Mou! Why does my life have to be so complicated!"
Before she could look under the sofa, she heard the doorbell.
"Ding Dong!!!"
Kaoru rushed to her apartment door and peered out her peephole. Something seemed to block her vision. "Mou! I can't see his face. I've got to clean this peephole." She pressed her intercom button. "Who is it?"
A heavy muffled sound came through the intercom. "I'm here from Essentially Yours Male Escort Service."
Kaoru gasped, "Oh my god! He's early!" She pressed the intercom again, "Just a minute!"
As the young man stood waiting outside of her apartment he smiled inwardly.
"Jou-chan is going to die when she finds out that I'm her escort for the night. I can't wait to see the expression on her face, heh, heh!"
Kaoru finally opened the door. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. My name is Kaoru...." she paused for a moment and then squealed, "Oh my god! Sanosuke Sagara!"
"Hey Jou-chan, long time no see. I haven't seen you since high school."
Kaoru hugged him warmly. "Wow! I really didn't expect to see you! How have you been?"
"I've been doing okay," he said after breaking off their hug. "I knew you would be surprised once you saw me."
"I am, I am," she cheerfully replied. Kaoru feigned a frown. "Well, don't just stand in the doorway you big dumb jerk," she pulled him in through the door, "Come in and have a seat."
Sano chuckled as he stumbled passed her. After securing the door, Kaoru escorted him to the living room. He sat on the sofa as she sat in a chair opposite him.
"I'm still a little shocked to see you. I was expecting someone else." Sano feigned a sad face. "Oh no, don't get me wrong," Kaoru quickly said hoping not to have offended him, "I'm really glad you came."
Sano pretended to wipe the sweat from his forehead. "Phew, for a second there, I thought you didn't want me."
Kaoru tossed one of her small decorative sofa pillows at him. "Oh stop being such a clown. You know what I mean," she chuckled. He nodded and smiled. "Getting back to what I was saying, the escort service told me that someone named Okita was going to pick me up tonight. I'm a little confused. What happened to Okita?"
"He had this really bad cough all week. So he called me up this afternoon and asked if I could take over his assignment. Okita knew that I had planned to go to the reunion, not as an escort or anything, because hey, it's my high school reunion too you know." Kaoru nodded as he continued. "Anyway, after Okita told me that you were his client, I quickly agreed. I thought it would be fun for us to go together."
"That was so nice of you Sano," she smirked. "Helping out a sick friend. And here I was thinking that you only took over Okita's assignment for the money. Wow, you've really changed since high school."
"Hey, what's wrong with making a little money on the side," he answered defensively. "A man's got to eat you know."
Kaoru shook her head. "Now that's the Sanosuke Sagara I know." They both laughed. "So, what have you been doing with yourself all these years?"
"Well, as you know, my father was into the import/export business. One of his major business suppliers moved to Hong Kong. So my old man decided to move the family to Hong Kong after I finished high school. It was better for my family financially but I really didn't like it there. All my friends were here in Tokyo. But hey, I was just a teenager with no money back then. I had to go where ever my parents went."
Kaoru nodded. "Yes, I know what you mean."
"Anyway, I picked up a few odd jobs here and there. I didn't want to depend on my old man's money you know. So after saving up enough money, I told my parents that I wanted to move back to Tokyo. My old man didn't have anything to say about it because he knew that I could take care of myself. So I moved back here over a year ago and landed a job at this male escort agency. So... here I am. What have you been up to Jou-chan?"
Kaoru glanced at her watch. "Oh, it's getting late. I'll fill you in along the way. Please, make yourself at home in the meantime. I'll be ready in a few minutes."
"Thanks," he smiled while sitting on the sofa.
As Kaoru left the room, she stopped in the hallway to peek at Sano. "This night is turning out better than I expected. I can't believe that Sano turned out to be a real hunk," she blushed. "Wait until Misao and the other girls see him. I better hurry now." Kaoru quickly went into her bedroom.
Sano picked up the TV remote control and began flipping through various channels. "Geez, there's never anything good on," he muttered. His stomach began to growl. He tossed the remote control on the sofa and headed for the kitchen.
As Sano rummaged through her refrigerator, he pinched his nose and muttered out loud, "Ewwww.... everything in here is moldy. I forgot that Jou-chan wasn't a good cook. You'd think I would remember after mooching all those lunches off her when we were back in high school."
Kaoru walked out of her bedroom and suddenly exploded upon seeing Sano's head stuck in her refrigerator.
"What do you think you're doing!!"
Sano bumped his head on the inside of the refrigerator. As he stood up, he rubbed his head. "What's all the fuss about? I was just making myself a little snack. Besides, you did say I could make myself at home."
"Yes, I said make yourself at home, not move in!!" She went over and snatched the food out of his hand. "Move it!" she demanded while shoving him into the living room. "Get back to the living room and stay out of my kitchen!!"
Sano chuckled as she pushed him around. "Hey there Jou-chan, I see you're still as strong as you used to be in high school. So what do you do for a living, change truck tires or are you a professional wrestler."
"No," she snapped. "I'm a beautician."
Sano pulled on her ponytail and snickered, "You could have fooled me."
Kaoru punched him in the arm, "Keep your hands out of my hair, you big dumb jerk!"
"Calm down Jou-chan, you're going to ruin that beautiful evening gown of yours."
Kaoru suddenly stopped. "That's right. I have to be careful. This gown belongs to Tae."
"Tae Sekihara of the Akabeko?"
Kaoru nodded. "Yes. I'm sure you remember her. You ran up quite a debt at her resturant."
Sano rubbed his lips together and began smacking. "Mmmm... Akabeko food. Now that was some good food."
"You know Tae and her sister Sae are catering the high school reunion."
Sano's eyes widened. "They are? Why didn't you tell me. Come on Jou-chan, Let's go!" He rushed out of her apartment and jumped into the waiting elevator. "We don't want to be late to the high school reunion!"
"Hey wait I need my purse," she yelled as she snatched her purse and locked up her apartment. The elevator door had closed in her face. "Mou! Sano wait!"
"Meet me downstairs in front of the building!" She heard him yelling as the elevator went down.
"Argh!!!! That baka is going to get it when I get downstairs!!"
When Kaoru reached the main floor, she rushed out of the building and saw Sano leaning on his car. Kaoru punched him in the chest.
"Why didn't you wait for me you big jerk!"
"Ouch! You sure pack a mean punch Jou-chan."
"Oh shut up and open the freaking door for me," she fumed. After getting into the car, Kaoru grumbled while putting her seat belt on. "Mou! Some escort he turned out to be!"
Sano rushed over to the driver's side and quickly started the car. As he turned the corner of her block, he stepped on the gas and began flying down the road.
"Hey, watch your speed," she warned. "You'll get a speeding ticket for driving fast around here."
"Don't worry about that Jou-chan. I have my trusty radar detector," he smirked. "It can detect a cop miles away." Kaoru rolled her eyes at him and turned her head to stare out the window.
Sano grinned widely as he pushed the button to the radio on. He turned up the volume after hearing his favorite song being played. He began singing along to the song, "BAD TO THE BONE", by George Thorogood And The Destroyers.
"Da, da, da, da, da
On the day I was born, the nurses all gathered 'round
Da, da, da, da, da
And they gazed in wide wonder, at the joy they had found
Da, da, da, da, da
The head nurse spoke up, and she said leave this one alone
Da, da, da, da, da
She could tell right away, that I was bad to the bone
Da, da, da, da, da
Bad to the bone
Da, da, da, da, da
Bad to the bone"
As Kaoru continued looking out the window, she suddenly noticed a dark sedan following behind them quietly. "Oh my god! It's him!" She tried to get Sano's attention.
"Hey Sano! It's the...."
Sano couldn't hear her. The radio was blasting and he was deeply engrossed in the song, singing loudly,
"B-B-B-B-Bad to the bone
B-B-B-B-Bad
B-B-B-B-Bad
Bad to the bone"
When Kaoru looked out the window again she saw flashing lights. She shouted, "Hey Mr. Bad to the Bone! The cops want you to pull over!" She turned the radio off.
"Jou-chan, why'd you do that! That's my favorite...."
"Look out the window idiot!!"
Sano glanced at his rearview mirror. His eyes widened upon seeing the flashing police lights and the officer motioning for him to pull over. After pulling his car to the side of the rode, he banged his fist on the dashboard. "Katsu you idiot! Wait until I see you! I'm going to kill you for selling me this defective radar!"
Kaoru ignored his rantings. She peered into her side view mirror and saw Officer Saitoh stepping out of the car smirking. She sighed inwardly, "Why me? Why me?"
Author's Notes: Hey there minna-san. Wow! Arigatou for all the great reviews! You've made Gypsy-chan very happy!^_^
Okay, first I want to say that I read everyone's review. I love them all! Sorry that I can't respond individually right now. I'm busy with the other chapters. I'm up to chapter six.^_^ So, I'll respond to everyone at the end of the ficcie. But please keep the reviews and suggestions coming. It inspires me to keep going with this ficcie. More fun to come in the next chapter.
Also, there will be a lot of puns from either the RK anime or manga within this story. Like the one in this chapter with Kamatari flashing Misao with his family jewels. That was from the manga and Kyoto arc episode. I know that I use "she" a lot when referring to Kamatari, but it's just easier to write^_^. Oh yeah, Kaoru may seem wimpy emotionally, but she will get stronger as the ficcie goes on. There is a method to my madness^_^.
As usual, constructive reviews are welcomed as long as they are genuine and not sarcastic. (Psst... Hey you... Yes you... You're getting good at pushing buttons. Cool! (chiki-chan^_^) So let's try one more time. Go ahead, that's right, push the button and leave me a review. Gypsy-chan does happy dance.^_^)