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 Four
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?"
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"Don't worry Jou-chan, I know how to handle cops," bragged Sano as he reached inside his top pocket for his wallet. "Just leave everything to me." He pulled his driver's license out of his wallet and placed it on the dashboard.
"Sano I swear, if you cause trouble I'll...."
"Shhh.... relax, I've got this situation under control," he whispered to her as Saitoh approached the car. "Is there a problem officer," Sano innocently asked as he handed Saitoh his driver's licence.
Saitoh didn't respond. He took the driver's license and slanted his eyes at Sano as he glanced over the license.
"You know, you sure have some narrow eyes for a cop," he remarked while staring up at Saitoh's face.
"A man can't help the way he was born," he dryly responded after returning the driver's license to Sano.
Kaoru tugged on Sano's jacket and through gritted teeth whispered, "Shut up you baka before he throws us both in jail!"
Saitoh smirked inwardly as he watched Kaoru on the other side of the car. He lit the cigarette that was now dangling off the bottom of his lip. After taking a long hard drag, Saitoh exhaled a billowy cloud of smoke into the cool night air. He cast his eyes over to where Kaoru was sitting.
"Who's the moron Tanuki?"
Before she could respond, Sano shouted, "Moron! Who are you calling a moron you stone faced cop! I know my rights! I'm a tax paying citizen! I'll sue you for police harassment!"
Kaoru face paled as she inwardly grumbled, "That baka!"
"I didn't know you had such bad taste in boyfriends," Saitoh said before taking another drag on his cigarette. "The first one was bad, but this one," he exhaled the smoke near Sano's face," is a total ahou."
"He's NOT my boyfriend," she curtly replied.
"Hey, I'll show you who the moron is around here," scowled Sano as he reached for the car door handle.
Kaoru yanked him back by the collar. "Sit down you big dumb jerk!" She turned to Saitoh and feigned a smile. "Don't mind him Officer Saitoh. He's a little delirious right now. Must be something he ate."
"If he ate your cooking, it's no wonder he's delirious," he quipped.
Sano turned to Kaoru bewildered. "Geez Jou-chan, I knew your cooking was a crime, but..."
Kaoru cut his sentence off by punching him in the arm, "Shut up roosterhead!" She then turned and glared daggers at Saitoh. "Just give us the speeding ticket and spare me the sarcasm!"
Sano jerked himself from out of Kaoru's grasp and jumped out of the car. "I think it's time that someone teach this arrogant cop some manners," he said threatenly while cracking his knuckles.
Officer Saitoh stood on unfazed by Sano's boastful threat. After taking another long drag of his cigarette, he parted his lips slighly to exhale the smoke. As he flicked the ashes on the ground, he narrowed his eyes at Sano who was now taking up his fighting stance.
"Listen ahou, this had better be worth my time. Nothing ticks me off more than to ground out a perfectly good cigarette for a worthless fight," he stated while grounding his cigarette into the dirt.
Kaoru became nervous as she watched Saitoh and Sano. "I can't believe their really going to fight. That big dumb jerk doesn't know what he's getting himself into. Uncle Saitoh will pulverize him! I've got to try and stop him."
"Sano, wait.... Think about this for a minute. He's a cop and if you fight him you'll go to jail. Stop trying to be so macho! Just take the ticket and let's get the heck out of here," she begged.
"Relax Jou-chan," he replied in a calm manner. He positioned his fists in front of his face, "I know what I'm doing. This little fight will be over in a moment."
Saitoh smirked at him again. "Indeed it shall Sanosuke Sagara or should I say, Zanza."
Sano widened his eyes at Saitoh. "How did you...."
"...know," he finished. "It didn't take long to get the information I needed on a street punk like you." Sano glared daggers at him. Saitoh continued. "While you were racing through MY streets, I entered your license plate number into my computer. My good friend Kawaji, at the precint, immediately dispatched the information to me. I'm sure you remember Kawaji."
"Yeah I remember that bald headed stinkin' cop. He arrested me a few times when I was back in high school. But that was then and this is now. I don't have all day you know. I've got to get Jou-chan to her class reunion."
"Then let us begin. I would hate for Tanuki to miss her first class reunion," he remarked with his back to Kaoru.
Kaoru scowled at him from behind and stuck her tongue out. "Jerk!"
"Here I come," Sano yelled as he rushed toward Saitoh. Within two minutes, Sano lay wincing in pain on the ground, while Saitoh stepped over his body to hand Kaoru a speeding ticket. Kaoru sighed as she put Sano's ticket in her purse. Saitoh returned to his police car. After starting it, he slowed down as he drove neared her. "See you on Monday Tanuki," he smirked while continuing down the highway.
"Argh!!!!!!!" She screamed while jumping out of the car and pummeling Sano with a stick she found on the side of the road. "Baka! Baka! Baka!"
"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!!"
"Relax you said... leave everything to me you said. Argh!!!! I should have known better than to trust a big dumb jerk like you," she yelled. "I told you not to fight him! I knew my uncle would kick your...."
"He's your uncle," Sano abruptly asked. "I never knew..."
"And you're not suppose to know," she curtly replied. "I'm never to call him that or show any familiarity while he is on duty or working undercover. It's his way of protecting his family."
"I see, so by pretending not to be related, you don't become his weakness. That's pretty smart," he admitted. "But it still doesn't change the fact that he's a..."
"Hey! Let's get back to the issue here! Look at yourself," she exclaimed while pointing at his soiled clothing, "You're tux is ruined! I'm not going to walk into my first high school reunion with you looking like that!"
"Sorry about screwing things up for you Jou-chan. But don't worry, I swear I'll make it up to you," he promised. Kaoru rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest ignoring him. Sano continued trying to speak to her.
"And uhm.... As for my clothes, well we could go to Daigoro and Itsuko's formal rental shop across town. I'm sure I can rent something to wear for the evening. I could also get you a really nice evening gown too." Kaoru looked down at her gown and saw some dirt on it. She shook her head in disgust. Sano quickly added, "Don't worry about the stains, I can have them dry clean your gown while we are at the reunion. So, what do you say?"
Kaoru thought for a moment, "I know I'm going to regret this later... but Misao and the others are probably already there waiting for me." She turned to him and answered roughly, "Okay! But this time, I'M driving!" She snatched the car keys out of Sano's hand. "Get in the car before I change my mind," she ordered. Sano hurried around the car and got into the passenger side.
Kaoru started the car and began driving down the road. They drove in silence for a while. Sano reached into his glove compartment and pulled out a dried up fishbone and stuck it in his mouth.
Kaoru quickly glanced over to him out of the corner of her eye. After seeing him stick a fish bone in his mouth she became grossed out. "He keeps a glove compartment full of fish bones? Ewww... How gross?" She turned her attention back to the road and drove in silence.
Sano cast his eyes out the window then over to Kaoru. "Jou-chan seems kind of ticked off right now. She has every right to be. I screwed up things pretty bad. I swear I'll make it up to her. I just wished she talk to me. I hate it when women give me the silent treatment. It drives me nuts! I rather her whack me over the head and call me names. At least we would be communicating."
Kaoru slowed the car down for a traffic signal. While waiting for the light to turn green, she poked out her bottom lip and exhaled deeply causing her long bangs to flutter. Sano smiled inwardly.
"Jou-chan looks pretty sexy when she blows her bangs around like that. Yep, she definitely grew up to be a beautiful young woman. Kenshin is going to be surprised when he see's her. Oh yeah, I forgot. Kenshin made me swear not to tell her that he was in town and was going to be at the reunion. But what the heck, she's going to find out anyway so I might as well tell her now."
Sano sat up in the car seat and cleared his throat. He then casually cast his eyes into Kaoru's direction. "Uhm... I bet you can't guess who came to town for the class reunion."
"I don't know, you tell me whose in town," she answered dryly.
"No I can't tell you. You have to guess," he insisted.
"I don't feel like guessing right now."
"But if you don't guess I can't tell you," he responded hoping she would say a few names.
"I said... I don't feel like guessing," she stated roughly through gritted teeth.
"If you knew who I was talking about I'm sure you would want to know," he added grinning. "Come on Jou-chan, guess already."
Kaoru ignored him and kept driving.
"Geez, why does she have to be so stubborn!" "Okay, I'll give you a hint. Uhm... red. Who would you think of when I say red."
"Santa Claus," she asked mockingly. "That's it! Santa Claus is coming to town. Ho! ho! ho!!"
"No," he fumed. "Not Santa Claus! Okay here's another hint. Red and pink. Now think hard this time."
"Santa Claus with a bad manicure," she giggled. "Or maybe Santa Claus in tie dye colors?"
"Come on Jou-chan be serious," he hollered in exasperation. "Now guess damnit!"
"I told you I'm not guessing," she shouted in response. "So shut up about it already!"
"Fine! Be that way," he yelled back in return while folding his arms across his chest. "See if I tell you that Kenshin Himura misses you and is really looking forward to seeing you at the class reunion."
Kaoru's palms began to sweat suddenly upon hearing Kenshin's name. "Kenshin Himura misses me," she asked nervously while firmly gripping the steering wheel. "and... he's going to be at the class reunion?"
"Yeah, but... uhm... I really shouldn't have told you that, so let's just drop it," he said while closing his eyes and resting his head upon the palms of his hands.
Kaoru put her foot on the brakes hard causing the car to skid forward.
"Hey! What the heck are you trying to do? Kill me!" He braced up against the dashboard of the car.
Kaoru grabbed hold of his collar and yelled in his ear, "You're the one who started this conversation and you're going to finish it! Now tell me what you meant by Kenshin missing me and wanting to see me again!"
"Okay, okay... gasp, gasp... If... gasp, gasp... you let go... wheeze, wheeze... of my collar... cough, cough... I'll tell you."
"Oh, sorry," she said blushing slightly.
Sano gasped deeply for air as he moved away from Kaoru. "Geez Jou-chan, you have the strength of ten sumo wrestlers."
Kaoru glared daggers at him. Sano feigned a smile at her as sweatdrops formed on his brow. "Quit stalling and talk," she ordered.
"Alright, alright," he responded while putting his hands up for protection. "Well, Kenshin's stopped by my place a few days ago. He told me that he flew in from Kyoto for the class reunion. Apparently, someone on the committee for the class reunion called him and asked if he could take the pictures for the event. He's a professional photographer and owns his own studio in Kyoto."
Kaoru sighed inwardly. "Kenshin..." She then refocused her attention on Sano. "Okay, so get to the part where you said he misses me," she demanded.
Sano smiled, "Hold on Jou-chan I was just getting to that part. So, as I was saying, when he stopped by my place, we stayed up all night drinking and talking about old times. That's when your name popped up. Kenshin was totally wasted. He started whining about how much he missed you."
"Really," she asked dreamily.
"Yeah really," nodded Sano, "right before he puked his guts out, he told me everything he felt for you."
"What a romantic way to confess his love for me," she remarked glumly as she started to drive again. "It probably was the alcohol talking not him."
"No, it wasn't the alcohol talking," he answered knowingly. "Kenshin was never one for a lot of talking, that is, until he gets a couple of drinks in him. That was when he started talking. He could never hold his liquor you know," chuckled Sano. "Anyway, that night, we talked about a lot of stuff. Even his relationship with Megumi. I was so mad at him for taking the fox from me when were back in high school."
"Correction," she interjected, "that slut Megumi stole Kenshin from me!"
"Hey, the fox may be a lot of things, but she's not a slut or a thief," he stated defensively. "You don't know her like I do!"
"Maybe I don't, but it still doesn't explain why she took Kenshin from me!"
"Don't try to blame your break up with Kenshin all on Megumi. Kenshin was already dating you. He should have been a man enough to refuse her advances. But he didn't!"
Kaoru remained silent. She sighed inwardly over what Sano said. "He's right. Kenshin should have resisted her. That baka!"
"Listen, that stuff is in the past now," he said stated after noting her sudden silence. "Kenshin and I are back to being good friends again. So I think we should all just forget about everything that happened and have a good time tonight."
"Yes, I agree," she replied with a nod. After a few moments of silence she asked, "So... uhm... It's not like I really care or anything, but did Kenshin say anything else about me?"
Sano smiled inwardly, "I knew she still loved him." He then answered,
"Oh yeah, he talked about the first kiss you ever gave him. You remember, that's the time when we were all kids playing in the park. You sneezed all over his face when you went to kiss his cheek. I told Kenshin that kiss didn't count because you really screwed it up with the sneeze and all, but...."
Kaoru slammed her foot on the brakes again.
"Hey! Do you have a death wish or something," he asked while clinging on to the door on the passenger side of the car.
Kaoru paled as she put her face in the palm of her hands. "Oh my god! I can't believe he still remembers that!"
"Yeah, but don't worry, I don't think it was as funny as the time he kissed you and his tongue got caught in the wire of your braces."
Kaoru's face turned crimson in color. "Oh my god!! He told you that too?!"
"Yeah, that was funny," chuckled Sano while holding his ribs. "I thought I was going to die when he told me...ha, ha, ha... that... ha! ha! ha... his tongue got stuck in your braces and then your tongue got stuck in his braces, and....ha! ha! ha! ha!"
Kaoru whacked him on the head. "Quit laughing you big jerk! That was really embarrassing! I can't believe Kenshin told you something as intimate as that! He's such a baka! All men are bakas," she grumbled while starting the car again. Sano shook his head and chuckled as they continued on their way to the rental boutique.
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After washing up and putting on a new tuxedo, Sano sat in a small area waiting for Kaoru. Daigoro was in the waiting area with him.
"It's good to see you again Sanosuke. Thanks for always using our rental boutique for your evening wear."
Sano leaned back on the sofa. "No problem Daigoro. So... I heard you got accepted into this prestigious aeornautics school in America."
"Yes, Itsuko and I are so happy," smiled Daigoro. "My father-in-law will take over our business while I'm in school. Itsuko and I can't wait to go."
"Well, best wishes man," Sano replied as he patted Daigoro on the back.
Kaoru was still in the fitting room trying on various evening gowns. She and Itsuko Katsu, owner of the rental boutique, chatted away happily over old times in high school. Itsuko then picked out an elaborate evening gown for Kaoru. The gown was black velvet with a sheer bodice covered with black lace. The crepe side draped gracefully down her body showing off her womanly curves. Kaoru blushed when she saw herself in the mirror.
"Itsuko, the gown is lovely. But," she blushed more, "I'm not used to wearing something that hugs my body so closily or show so much of my legs."
Itsuko smiled, "Where's your sense of adventure Kaoru? There's nothing wrong with being a little bold and daring for one night. Come on, let's try out your new look on the boys."
When Kaoru entered the waiting area, Sano's mouth dropped opened upon catching sight of her. Kaoru blushed deeply.
"So... what do you think silly?"
"I never knew you could look like a real woman Jou-chan."
Kaoru clenched her fists so tight that her knuckles turned white. "Of all the stupid, inconsiderate..."
Daigoro abruptly cut her off by complimenting her. "You look absolutely stunning in that gown, doesn't she dear?" Itsuko nodded.
"Hey, I was going to say something like that," he said as he pulled Kaoru toward him. "I was just kidding earlier Jou-chan."
He then wrapped his arms around her slender waist and pulled her deep into his chest. "Baby, you look so hot that even a volcano would sizzle out next to you. Grrrowl!!"
Kaoru pushed back from Sano bursting out in laughter at his feeble pick up line. "That... ha! ha! ha!... was soooo ha! ha! ha... lame! ha! ha! ha!"
Itsuko and Daigoro tried to stifle their snickers.
Sano became angry. "Hey what's so funny!" He folded his arms across his chest and began sulking.
Kaoru went over to him and pulled his arms apart. "Come on Sano, don't be such a big baby. Didn't you tell me to relax and have fun? Well that's what I'm doing. And see, I'm having so much fun that I can't wait to get to my class reunion."
Sano poked his bottom lip out. Kaoru shook her head and walked over to Itsuko. "Thank you so much Itsuko and Daigoro for keeping your store open late for us."
"It was our pleasure," smiled Daigoro. "Itsuko will clean your gown for you and have it ready when you return. We'll see you and Sano at the class reunion later," they waved as Sano and Kaoru left the boutique."
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Kaoru and Sano finally arrived at the hotel. She smiled as she stood on the outside of the hotel admiring the beautifully decorated welcome sign.
"Wow! This place is fabulous! I can't believe I finally made it. Look at all the people out here! There's probably at least several hundred more people inside! I'm soooo nervous! I can feel my knees shaking. I just hope I don't screw this night up."
Sano noted her nervousness. He took her arm and looped it into his. "So, are you ready Jou-chan?"
Kaoru looked up at him and smiled widely, "Yes, I'm ready. Let's do this."
As Kaoru and Sano stepped on the red velvet carpet leading into the hotel, someone on the rooftop was taking pictures as the couples entered the hotel for the class reunion. Suddenly, a pair of violet eyes spotted them from the lense of his camera.
"Sano and .... Kaoru?"
TO BE CONTINUED.......
Author's Notes: Hey there minna-san. Arigatou for all the awesome reviews!!^_^
Sorry for taking so long to update. I changed this chapter at least three times. I hope it came out okay. So, the next two chapters will deal with the class reunion. A lot of crazy things will happen there. BTW, I changed Hiko's profession from Pottery teacher to Phys. Ed teacher. You'll see why in the next chapter.^_^
The final chapter will end up with Kenshin and Kaoru (chap. 7). I hope I answered some of your questions as to why Saitoh seem so mean to Kaoru. I thought about the Kyoto Arc when Kenshin and Misao found out that Saitoh was married. They were like totally shocked. I read some where how Samurais would constantly change their names and move their families around so know one could find them. So that's why Saitoh gave her tickets when he caught her speeding. Didn't want to give her preferential treatment.^_^
As usual, constructive reviews are welcomed as long as they are genuine and not sarcastic. (Psst... Hey you... Yes you... Push the button, push the button. Make Gypsy-chan happy!^_^