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. 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. Comedy/Romance "Kiss Me Again" by Gypsy-chan Enjoy!^_^
Part Six
"The nerve of that tanuki stealing roosterhead from under my nose. I shouldn't have brushed him off when he tried contacting me a couple of months ago. It doesn't matter," she smirked. "They're only engaged, not married. I know I can get him back. Hmmm... I saw Ken-san around here somewhere. He'll fit into my plan nicely. Ohohohoho!"
*************************
Sano, Kaoru and Misao were now sitting in the bar area drinking and conversing with one another. Soujirou walked over to the table carrying several high school reunion souvenir bio-books. Misao eagerly grabbed one of the books from out of his hands.
"Oh my god! I can't believe you found extra bio-books!"
"Actually, I asked my good friend Hoji Sodojima to put them aside for me," smiled Soujirou. "He's the one who organized everything for the high school reunion."
"It figures that all this was organized by Hoji," Sano commented. "That man could organize a whole army to take over Japan."
Kaoru rolled her eyes at Sano's remark. "Oh stop exaggerating. Hoji-san is good but not that good."
"Hey, I'm not making this stuff up," he replied in defense. "Don't you remember how he organize the Free the Frogs protest?"
Soujirou smiled and nodded. "Hoji-san instructed us to release all the frogs during biology class at precisely 10:00am. After freeing the frogs, they began hopping around the classroom wildly causing a lot of commotion."
"I remember that," laughed Misao, "one of the frogs jumped down Yumi Komagata's blouse!"
"The poor frog got lost in her chest and almost smothered to death from her big boobs!"
Kaoru whacked Sano.
"Ouch!"
"You have such a dirty mind Sanosuke!"
Soujirou and Misao chuckled as they continued looking through the book.
"Wow, look at all the classmates who've become successful in their careers over the past five years," exclaimed Misao as she flipped through the book looking at all the pictures and bios. "Some of them are doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers...."
"and successful business men and women too," Kaoru added. "It says here under Kanryu Takeda's picture that he is the head of one of the leading pharmaceutical companys overseas."
"That's no big surprise," Sano replied nonchantly. "Kanryu was always into selling drugs back in high school. I guess now he's found a legal way of doing it."
Misao rolled her eyes and Sano. "You're just jealous because you're not successful like everyone else."
"Oh shut up weasel girl."
"Stop calling me weasel girl!!"
As Kaoru turned to intervene, she felt someone approaching her on the right side. Soujirou looked up and smiled at the woman.
"Good evening Yumi-san. You look very lovely in that evening gown. Red suits you quite nicely."
"Thank you Sou-chan. You really know how to compliment a lady."
Sano turned into Yumi's direction and stared at her. She was revealing plenty of cleavage in her off the shoulder red satin gown.
Kaoru noticed Sano staring at Yumi's chest. She leaned over and whispered, "Quit gawking at Yumi's chest you big dumb jerk!"
Sano leaned closer to Kaoru and whispered back, "I can't help it. They're so... big!!"
"You better say something nice or else," Kaoru whispered in reply as she shook her fist at him under the table. Sano sat up straight and looked at Yumi. He feigned a cough and said,
"Uhm... Nice hairdo Yumi."
"Thank you Sanosuke," smiled Yumi as she took her hand and smoothed back the stray strands of hair behind her ear.
"And uhm... I think your new boob job looks great in that red dress." (wink, wink!)
"Sanosuke!!!" Kaoru whacked Sano on the arm.
Yumi ignored both Kaoru and Sano. She turned to Soujirou. "It's time for everyone to come together. We have some entertainment scheduled in the main room downstairs. Please join us."
"I would love to Yumi-san," smiled Soujirou. He motioned for Misao to stand and then wrapped one of her arms inside of his. "Are you ready?"
Misao blushed before replying, "Yes I'm ready." She turned to Sano and Kaoru, who were still arguing with one another. "Would you two lovers quit quarreling for a moment. We have to go downstairs now."
Kaoru scowled at Misao's remark on them being lovers. Misao giggled, "Sorry about that Kao-chan. It's just that you two act like a real couple the way you've been bickering with one another. It's sooo cute!"
Sano grinned wickedly at Kaoru. "Yeah, Jou-chan just can't resist my manly charms. That's why she can't keep her hands off me tonight. She wants me sooo desperately. Isn't that right baby," he winked.
Kaoru turned crimson in color before bellowing out, "YOU PERVERT!!! I'm going to...."
Sano hurried over to the door. As he stood in the doorway, he blew her a kiss and in a baritone voice whispered, "Catch you later... babe."
Kaoru blushed ferverishly. "Argh!!! Of all the self-conceited, obnoxious... I'm going to kill him!!"
She pushed past Misao and Soujirou and ran out the room throwing her small clutched purse down the hallway at Sano. Instead of hearing an "Ouch", she heard an "Oro".
Kaoru blinked twice. "Oro?"
Misao peeked down the hallway. She saw someone with firey colored red hair rubbing his head. Her eyes widened as she stared at the man holding on to Kaoru's purse. "Is that.... Himura?"
She turned back to Kaoru who was now frozen in place as she too, stared wide-eyed at the back of the handsome redheaded man. "Ken... shin?"
"Uhm, listen Kaoru, I think we should go now," Misao said worriedly while grasping Kaoru's arm.
"But... my purse," she stuttered while not removing her eyes from Kenshin.
"I'll buy you another one! Let's go," Misao insisted as she began pulling Kaoru in the opposite direction.
Kenshin turned and looked down the hallway upon recognizing Misao's voice. He caught sight of Kaoru as she was being rushed down the opposite side of the hallway. "Kaoru?"
"Kaoru! Wait!" he called out as he ran down the hallway after them.
Kaoru immediately froze upon hearing Kenshin calling her name.
Misao turned to look at Kaoru. "Please, let's go Kao-chan," she begged in hopes of not wanting her best friend to get hurt again.
"No," she replied in a low trembling voice. "I'm not going to run away from him. I knew this day would come. I... I just want to get it over with."
At that moment, Misao could sense all of Kaoru's anxieties. "Why are you doing this to yourself Kaoru-chan?"
Soujirou rested his hand upon Misao's shoulder and whispered, "Misao-chan, this is a private matter between Himura-san and Kaoru-chan. We should leave them alone."
Misao knew Soujirou was right. Before Kenshin reached them, Misao gazed into Kaoru's eyes and asked again, "Are you sure you want to do this alone?"
Kaoru smiled and nodded, "Yes, I'm sure. So don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
"Okay," Misao smiled hesitantly in return. "But don't forget that I'm here if you need me."
"I know," Kaoru whispered as she watch Kenshin approach them.
Kenshin smiled and bowed slightly as he greeted everyone. "Misao... Soujirou ...Kaoru," he said softly while gazing into her soft blue eyes, "It's good to see you again."
Kaoru could feel her heart beating rapidly the longer she gazed back into his warm violet eyes. She tried to speak his name but her tongue refused to allow any words to escape her mouth.
"Why can't I say anything? Maybe this wasn't such a good idea."
Misao began to fidget as she stood by helplessly watching Kaoru.
"What's wrong with her? Why doesn't she say anything? I knew I should have forced her to keep running. Arrghh!! I wished someone would do something already!"
Soujirou suddenly extended his hand toward Kenshin's as though he read Miaso's mind. "It's nice to see you too Himura-san." Before Kenshin could take hold of Soujirou's hand, Misao quickly intervened by grabbing hold of his hand.
"Yeah Himura, long time no SEE," she emphasized gruffly as she tightened her grip on his hand causing Kenshin to wince slightly.
Kaoru whispered through gritted teeth, "Misao, that's enough. Let go. You're hurting him."
"I haven't begun to hurt him from what he did to you," she whispered back.
Soujirou looped one arm into Misao's. "We had better start making our way downstairs. We don't want to keep Yumi-san waiting," he finished while successfully removing Misao's hand from Kenshin's.
Kenshin blushed slightly and chuckled, "You really got some grip there Misao."
Misao glared at him as Soujirou gently tugged her arm bringing her closer to him.
"Don't take too long Kaoru," she said as she and Soujirou walked away.
"I... won't," Kaoru stuttered in reply.
As Misao and Soujirou headed down the hallway, she turned back to look at Kaoru.
"Kao-chan, please be strong. I know I'm going to need your strength later when I see Aoshi-sama."
Soujirou smiled at Misao. "Don't worry, I'm sure they will be alright."
"You're right Sou-chan, I'm probably getting all worried for nothing. We better hurry downstairs before roosterboy eats all the snacks and refreshments."
They both chuckled and continued on their way.
Kaoru stood for a moment watching Misao and Soujirou until they disappeared down the hallway. She then turned her attention back to Kenshin. They both stood in an awkward silence staring at one another while in deep thought.
"I've been dreaming of this moment for so long. Now that Kaoru is actually standing in front of me, I... I don't know what to say. Should I start off with, 'Sorry I was such a jerk for dumping you back in high school, can we just pretend it didn't happen and get back together?' Uhm... No. That's sooo pathetic!
Okay, how about this... 'Kaoru, you are the love of my life. I've been thinking about you everyday since the time we parted. I was a total fool for letting you go. Please forgive me darling and give me another chance...' No! That's not good either! ....Who do I think I'm fooling. She would probably never take me back. I've really screwed a good thing up. I wished I knew what to say to her instead of standing here like an idiot."
"I knew that one day our paths would cross again. I've rehearsed over and over what I would say to Kenshin and how I would react. But now that he's standing in front of me, I seemed to have drawn a blank. His sweet smile and warm eyes make me want to say, 'Kenshin, I've been waiting so long for you to take me back. Let's forget about the past and move on with our lives together.'
But then again, the more I think about what he did to me, the more I feel like yelling, "Kenshin you idiot! Why did you have to go and let your stupid male hormones ruin our perfect relationship! It's not like I wouldn't have made out with you like that slut Megumi did. It's just that I wasn't ready yet. I was still young and just learning how to kiss. And now look at us. We're standing here like two complete idiots not knowing what to say to one another. You ruined our chance at being in love you highly hormonal pervert!!"
Kenshin was suddenly getting some weird vibes from Kaoru. "Either she's seriously upset with me or I've got heartburn. Regardless of that, I had better say something fast before I lose the moment."
"Kaoru..."
"Kenshin.."
They both spoke each other's name at the same time. Kenshin blushed lightly saying, "Please, you go first."
Kaoru felt a knot developing in the pit of her stomach. Her palms began to sweat as she looked into his eyes.
"Uhmm... How- How have you been," she stuttered out. "Man, that was so lame."
"Okay," he answered nervously. "and, uhm.... How have you been?" "Geez! What a wuss! Is this the best I can say to her?"
"Fine," she responded while smoothing out the imaginary wrinkles in her gown.
"You look very stunning in that dress Kaoru," he said while gazing at her wistfully. "I can't imagine any woman looking more beautiful in that dress than her."
"Thank you," she blushed slightly, tilting her head down toward the floor. "Oh my god, I can't believe I'm blushing like some kind of school girl."
"God she's so gorgeous when she blushes like that. She looks as sweet as she did when she was a school girl."
Kenshin cleared his throat causing Kaoru to look up into his eyes.
"Kaoru..."
"Yes Kenshin..."
"There's something I've been meaning to say. I..."
"Ah Himura-san, we were looking all over for you," interrupted Shigure Takimi as he approached Kenshin. "You remember my lovely wife Toki and my nephew Yahiko."
"Yes I do. It's good to see all of you again," Kenshin smiled. "Of all the rotten timing! And let me guess... they want their freakin pictures taken! Geez!! I've got to get rid of them fast!"
"Oh Kaoru you look so lovely in that gown."
"Thank you Toki-san," she blushed. "You also look very elegant in your gown too."
"Thank you," she replied. Toki then turned to Kenshin. "Himura-san, would you please take our picture now?"
"Actually I was just about to take Kaoru-dono's picture," he answered in hopes that they would go away. "I can take your picture afterward."
"Oh no, I insist that you take their picture first," Kaoru immediately replied. "I can have my picture taken some other time."
Kenshin became worried. "Think fast Himura, you're losing her again."
"I know, why don't you all take a group picture," Kenshin suggested as he motioned for them all to stand together. "Afterwards, I can take another picture of just your family."
"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Toki said as she stood next to Kaoru and smiled. "Yahiko, please come over and stand next to us."
"Hey! I'm not taking any pictures with that ugly girl," Yahiko blurted out. "With a face like hers, she'll probably break the camera!"
"What did you say little boy," she exclaimed.
"Yahiko! Do not be disrespectful to Kamiya-san," Shigure scolded. "Now apologize."
Yahiko looked over to Kaoru and muttered, "Sorry..." then in a lower voice whispered, "Sorry you got an ugly face, you old hag. Heh, heh, heh."
Kaoru glared at him before moving to stand between Toki and Shigure. Kenshin instructed them to smile and then proceeded to take their pictures.
"When will the pictures be done," Shigure asked Kenshin after he had finished taking the last picture.
"They will be done before you leave tonight," replied Kenshin. He bid them all farewell and then turned back to Kaoru.
"Kaoru, as I was trying to say earlier, I...."
Before finishing his sentence, Kenshin was interrupted again.
"Ah Baka deshi, there you are," Seijuro Hiko said as he approached them.
Kenshin grumbled, "Shishou... what do you want."
Kaoru giggled as she watched Kenshin getting annoyed with Hiko.
"I want my picture taken baka, what do you think," he snorted. Omasu and Okon both giggled.
"But I'm busy now Shishou. I can take your picture later," he said through gritted teeth.
"You dare refuse to take the picture of me, Seijuro Hiko, 13th Master of Hiten Mitsurugi style of educational services?"
"Well, I..."
"Drop and give me fifty push-ups for your insolence," he demanded.
"Oro?"
"You heard me baka deshi, drop to the floor and give me fifty push-ups. And don't forget to sound off while you're doing it!"
Kenshin grumbled before dropping to the floor and sounding off with each push up. "One... Two... Three... Four..."
Kaoru giggled before kneeling down by Kenshin and whispering, "I see that you're busy, so I'll just take my purse back and be on my way. Nice seeing you again Kenshin. Bye."
Kenshin suddenly stopped doing his push ups when Kaoru stood up. He rose to his feet quickly and tried to go after her. "Kaoru, wait! Please don't.... Orooo!"
Hiko grabbed Kenshin back by his pony tail. "And just where do you think you are going baka deshi?"
"I'm going after Kaoru and you can't stop me," Kenshin replied gruffly, pulling his pony tail free from Hiko's grip.
"Fine, go ahead," he said while turning his back. "Since I'm not going to have my picture taken, I might as well prepare the speech I am to give tonight. I think I will open up with a little joke. Maybe I'll talk about the time you wet your pants during weight training. Or maybe I can talk about the time...."
"Shishou!!!"
"You don't have to yell baka deshi. I'm not deaf," he said while gathering Omasu and Okon in his arms. "Are you going to take our pictures now or not."
Kenshin snatched his camera from off the floor and through gritted teeth said, "SMILE!!"
Unbeknownst to Kenshin, Kaoru stood in a darkened corner of the hallway giggling silently to herself.
"I never thought I would admit it, but for once, I really enjoyed watching Hiko-sensei give Kenshin a hard time. Life can be so sweet sometimes."
Kaoru continued to giggle to herself as she went on her way to meet up with Misao and the others.
Author's Notes: Konnichiwa minna, thanks for all the excellent reviews. It was just soooo encouraging. Sorry for the long delay everyone. What can I say, I work when my brain does.^_^ Anyhoo, I hope this chapter came out okay. I'm glad Hiko gave Kenshin a hard time (in case anyone forgot, Hiko was Kenshin's phys ed teacher). I wasn't ready for Kaoru and Kenshin to make up yet. They'll be making up by chapter 8. More fun in store in chapter 7. Megumi, Sano, Kenshin and Kaoru will finally clash. Okay, so keep telling me what you think or want to see in the story, because I do listen.^_^ Until next time.
As usual, constructive reviews are welcomed as long as they are genuine and not sarcastic. (Psst... Hey you... Yes you... Thanks sooo much for pushing the button. I know it's hard work (LOL!) Why not push the button again and make Gypsy-chan happy!^_^ Arigatou)