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 Seven
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.
*************************
Everyone was now gathered into the main suite of the hotel. Misao stood nervously awaiting Kaoru. Upon seeing her enter the room, she immediately went over, grabbed Kaoru by the shoulders and then bombarded her with questions.
"So, how did it go? Are you alright? What did he say? Did he hurt you?"
Misao stopped the questioning for a moment to look Kaoru over. After making Kaoru turn around she continued.
"Hmmm.... It doesn't look like he hurt you because you seem okay. But just because you seem okay, doesn't mean that you're actually okay." Misao pulled Kaoru into a tight hug, pushed Kaoru's head upon her shoulder and then cried out,
"Oh Kao-chan! It's okay to cry now! (sob, sob) I'm here for you! You were so brave to have confronted him all by yourself like that! Now you can stop being brave and release all your deep dark emotions that you've repressed for so long!"
"Misao calm down, I'm fine," she muffled out on Misao's shoulders.
"No, you can't be fine, you've just went through a major ordeal back there with Himura. Now stop being stubborn and let it all out," she insisted while hugging Kaoru even tigher.
"Misao, if you don't let go of me, I'll get very, very angry. We both know how scary I can get when I get angry."
Misao immediately pushed back from Kaoru and grinned sheepishly. After straightening up her clothes, Kaoru grabbed Misao's face so that she was looking directly at her.
"Read my lips, nothing... happened. I... am... fine.... Got it!"
Misao nodded her head and feigned a quick smile, "Got it!"
Kaoru released her face and continued. "You know, at first I was very nervous but it turned out okay. As a matter of fact, the whole first meeting went better than I thought."
Misao stared at her for a moment before asking, "Really?"
"Yes really."
They remained silent for a few minutes before Misao cautiously asked, "Did you guys talk about..."
Kaoru shook her head. "No. I think he tried to but we were interrupted twice by people wanting to get their pictures taken."
"Oh."
"The only good thing that came out of our brief encounter was watching Kenshin doing push ups. Now that was funny."
Misao arched her eyebrow upon hearing the words "push ups". "Push ups? What do you mean push ups?"
"I could tell that Kenshin desperately wanted to bring up the past. I was a little afraid, that is, until Hiko-sensei came. He asked Kenshin to take a picture of him along with Omasu and Okon. Kenshin tried to brush him off. Naturally, Hiko-sensei became offended. He's not the kind of person you can just brush off like that." Misao nodded vigorously on that point. "Anyway, Hiko-sensei ordered Kenshin to drop and give him fifty push ups."
"Oh my god! I wished I could have been there to see him doing push ups in his tuxedo," laughed Misao.
"Yeah, that was a priceless moment. Too bad I didn't have a camera," she giggled.
"Okay enough about Himura. Let's go over to where Sou-chan and roosterboy are waiting."
Misao grabbed Kaoru by the hand and dragged her over to their table. Once reaching their table, Kaoru stood in awe at the elegance of the room.
"Wow! This room is perfect! I can't believe they decorated the tables and the balloon arch over the dance floor in our old school colors."
"Yeah I know! It looks great! Isn't this exciting," Misao squealed.
Kaoru smiled and turned her attention to Yumi as she walked upon the stage.
"Good evening fellow graduates, I'm Komagata Yumi and I will be your hostess for the festivities this evening. I trust everyone has had ample time getting reacquainted with former classmates."
(The audience nodds and smiles to her)
"That's good. Well, we have many fine activities to share with you tonight to make this day just as memorable as the day of our graduation. Before we get started, I like to remind everyone to hold on to your raffle tickets. We will be giving out a special doorprize later in the evening. So that little ticket is very important. The next thing on the list is...."
As Yumi spoke, Misao took ticket out of her purse and handed it to Kaoru.
"Here's your raffle ticket. I forgot to give it to you earlier," she whispered in a low voice.
"Thanks," Kaoru whispered back as she placed the raffle ticket in her purse.
"....and the last thing to mention is the voting of the Queen and King of the class reunion. In the back of each Bio-book, we have prepared a list of twenty candidates we deemed worthy of being Queen or King of our first class reunion. I...."
Sano abruptly shouted, "Hey! My name isn't on this list! I think it's fixed!"
A few people in the audience chuckled at Sano's outburst. Yumi bit her lower lip before smiling politely and replying,
"Sorry, but we're not giving out prizes for Class Clown or Moron of the Year. But when we do, your name, will be the first one on my list, Sagara Sanosuke!!"
Everyone burst in laughter. Kaoru whacked Sano over the head several times with her purse.
"Shut up you big dumb jerk! You're embarrassing us!!"
"Ouch! Ouch!"
Everyone continued to laugh. Yumi tapped on the microphone. "Could I have everyone's attention again please."
The audience finally settled down.
"Thank you. Now, if there are no further interruptions," she glared daggers over to Sano. He stuck a fishbone in his mouth, crossed his arms over his chest and turned his head. A few people snickered.
Yumi continued, "...I would like everyone to look over the list carefully. Before the evening is out, please cast your vote for the man or woman you deem worthy of being Queen or King of our first class reunion. At this point, I'm sure some of you would like to work off those snacks you've been munching on for most of the night."
The audience chuckled.
"Well, we have just the thing for you. This evening we have the honor of listening to live music from our very own band. I'm sure you all remember Katanagari Cho and his group, "The Juppongatanas". They won the first trophy for our high school during the "Battle of the Bands" contest. Cho and his band has graciously agreed to play for us. So without further delay, here's Cho and the Juppongatanas."
Cho jumped on the stage and gave Yumi a quick hug while the audience applauded. Yumi then smiled and handed the microphone over to Cho as she graciously exited the stage.
"Hey everyone, are you ready to have a good time!"
The crowd whistled and shouted, "YEAH!!"
"Okay! The Juppongatanas and I are now going to ROCK... YOUR... WORLD!!"
As the music started to get loud, the crowd went wild.
"Wow! I haven't danced to a live band in a long time," yelled Misao over the music. "Come on Sou-chan let's dance!"
Kaoru jumped up and grabbed Sano's arm. "Sano, I want to dance! Let's go!"
"Sorry Jou-chan," he said after peeling her hand off his arm, "I don't dance to music played by broomhead and his group of losers. His band is a joke."
Kaoru scowled at him. "I can't believe that you're still holding a grudge against Cho after all these years. You guys use to be friends back in high school. Just because he kicked you out of the band..."
"Correction, I quit his stinking band," Sano interjected.
"You know, you can be such a loser at times. Why don't you quit acting like an idiot and start acting like a REAL date to Kaoru."
Sano glared at her but chose not to respond. He stuck a toothpick in his mouth and slouched down into his chair putting his hands inside his pocket.
"Let's dance," Soujirou said quickly as he grabbed Misao's arm pulling her away from Sano. Misao glared over her shoulders at Sano and then over to Kaoru.
"Watch my purse for me Kao-chan. I would hate for old sticky fingers over there to get his claws on it."
"You don't have anything worth taking," he muttered with the toothpick hanging from his bottom lip.
Misao ignored him as she and Soujirou walked over to the dance floor. A young waiter passed by their table with a tray of food. Sano looked at the young waiter and stood quickly, grabbing hold of the tray.
"Hey buddy, that tray looks too heavy for you. Let me take it off your hands," he innocently suggested as he took the tray from the young waiter and placed it on their table.
"Uhm... thank you," the young waiter replied.
Sano picked up the napkin lying on the table and tucked it inside the collar of his shirt. He was so busy preparing for his personal feast that he hadn't noticed the young waiter still standing.
Kaoru smiled at the waiter and looked over to Sano. "Sano, did you forget something," she asked while taking her eyes and shifting it between him and the waiter.
Sano stared at her in puzzlement. "What?"
Kaoru leaned over and whispered through gritted teeth, "The TIP you idiot! Give the man some kind of tip!"
"Oh."
Kaoru blushed slightly and then feigned another smile at the waiter. Sano used that opportunity to ease Misao's purse off Kaoru's lap and take twenty dollars out. He handed the money to the young waiter, "Here you go buddy, and uhm... keep the change."
The young waiter looked at the twenty dollar bill and smiled widely. He bowed twice to Sano. "Thank you sir, you are so generous, sir."
"Don't mention it, there's plenty more where that came from," he bragged. "Just keep those trays coming this way."
"Yes sir, I will sir," the young waiter replied enthusiastically. He bowed three times before finally leaving their table.
Kaoru arched her eyebrow over to Sano as he gulped down his food.
"Well, well, well, aren't we the generous one. I thought you said you didn't have any money."
"I don't," he said between bites.
Kaoru frowned and asked, "So... where did you get the money?"
"From weasel girl's purse," he answered nonchantly before taking a sip of wine.
Kaoru exploded. "YOU WHAT!!"
"Quit yelling Jou-chan and keep your panties on. You're going to cause another scen..."
Before he could finish his sentence, she began whacking him with her purse shouting in between whacks, "YOU BIG DUMB JERK!!"
"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!"
A few of their former classmates turned and chuckled as they stared at the two. Kaoru suddenly became embarrassed and sat down.
"Now look what you did, everyone's staring at us," she whispered out through gritted teeth.
"I told you to quit shouting and keep your panties on."
"Will you quit talking about my panties," she growled out to him.
"What's the matter, not wearing any? Heh, heh, heh!"
Kaoru glared daggers at him. "I'm going out for some fresh air. You had better put Misao's money back in her purse by the time I get back or so help me...."
"Yeah, yeah I know," he replied as he stuck a fish bone in his mouth. "I swear I'll have it by the time you get back."
Kaoru rolled her eyes at him. "Jerk!" She stomped away heading for the pool in the back of the hotel.
Sano smiled as he watch her leave the room.
"Jou-chan has always been a lot of fun to tease. It's too bad we didn't get together before she and Kenshin started dating. I wouldn't have dumped her like he did. Oh well, that's in the past. I better find a way of getting weasel girl's money back in her purse.
The first song was over rather quickly and there was a brief pause. He peered through the crowd and saw Misao and Soujirou trying to decide whether to continue dancing or come back to the table.
"Aww crap! I knew old broomhead couldn't keep a party going. I don't know how that crappy band won a trophy back in high school. Geez, now where am I going to get twenty dollars?"
He quickly looked around the table. He grabbed something and began scribbling out his plan. Someone bumped into the table causing his pen to fall out of his hand.
"Sorry, is this your pen," the young man asked quickly as he handed Sano back his pen. Sano glared at the person holding his pen and then reached up and began choking him.
"Katsu you idiot! I'm going to kill you!"
"Sa..noooo... it's... only a pen," he stuttered out as Sano choked him and wrestled him to the floor.
"I'm not choking you over a freaking pen," he shouted while still wrestling with him, "I'm talking about me getting busted by the cops for speeding! You sold me a bum rader dectector you idiot!!"
Anji walked over and grabbed Sano harshly by the shoulders lifting him off of Katsu.
As Sano's feet dangled, he yelped, "What the...."
"Killing your best friend is not allowed during our class reunion," Anji said as he dropped Sano into the chair. "Why not relax and enjoy the music. Rock music used to be your favorite."
Sano glared over to Cho's band and then back at Anji. "Not when it's being played by a loser band."
Katsu tried to stick up for Sano and added, "Yeah their rock band sucks! As a matter of fact, we don't even like rocks!"
Sano gave Katsu a high five. Anji looked at both of them and cooly replied, "Then... I shall have to kill you both for disrupting my class reunion." He took his fist and pounded it into the palm of his other hand. Sano and Katsu both gulped as they watched Anji towering over them with a murderous look.
Sano suddenly started snapping his fingers. "Hey, their not to bad right Katsu?"
"Yeah," Katsu answered as he too snapped his fingers. "I love that beat!"
Anji stared at both of them unimpressed. Sano began to shout out the words to the song Cho's band was playing. They were playing a song by Wild Cherry entitled, "Play that Funky Music".
"Play that funky music white boy, Sano shouted at Cho.
"Play that funky music right," Katsu shouted
"Play that funky music white boy," Sano shouted again.
"Lay down the boogie and play that funky music till you die, till you die, till you diiieee," they shouted in unison.
Anji glared at them before leaving. Sano and Katsu looked at each other and laughed out loud after making sure that he was out of sight.
"Man, trouble must be your middle name," laughed Katsu. "You've always manage to get us in..."
"...and out of trouble, I might add," Sano finished as he playfully pointed his finger at his best friend.
"Yeah, you certainly have," chuckled Katsu.
Sano put his arm on Katsu's shoulder. "Sorry buddy for going all crazy on you. I've had a hell of a day."
"Yeah me too. Hey, you want to go to the bar and grab a beer or something?"
"Sure, I could really go for a nice cold beer right now," Sano said as he used the palm of his hand to wipe his mouth.
Katsu looked down toward the table and saw a green purse lying on top. "Hey, is that your date's purse?"
"Nah, it belongs to a weasel."
"A weasel," Katsu asked.
"Oh crap! I forgot! Hey Katsu, you got twenty dollars I could borrow?"
"Yeah, anything for you man," he replied while reaching in his wallet and handing Sano a twenty dollar bill."
"Thanks man, I'll pay you back...."
"No forget it," Katsu replied as he gave Sano an additional forty dollars.
Sano was bewildered by the extra forty dollars. "Hey Katsu, what's all this for?"
"It's a little something to repay you for the busted fuzz detector."
Sano felt a little guilty. He tried to give the money back. "No Katsu, I can't take your money like that."
"I said keep it," Katsu insisted as he pushed the money back in Sano's hand. "Besides, our friendship is more important than money. So, just keep it."
"Well, okay. But I swear I'll pay you back."
Katsu gave Sano a quick smirk. "Yeah, the way you always do."
Sano narrowed his eyes at Katsu, "and just what is that suppose to mean?"
"Come on, let's go have that drink."
Before Sano answered, he saw Misao and Soujirou heading into his direction. "Hey, you go on ahead. I'll catch up with you in a minute."
Katsu nodded and headed off for the bar. As Misao made her way through the crowd, she saw Sano's hand on her purse.
"Hey you big roosterhead! Get your hand off my purse," she yelled as she pushed her way back to their table. When she was upon Sano, she snatched her purse from out of his hand. "Keep your filthy hands off my purse!"
"Is that the thanks I get for watching your purse? Next time I'll let a stranger take it," he replied as he left.
Misao glared at him before opening her purse. "I swear! If he took anything I'm going to hurt him so bad that...." she abruptly stopped in mid-sentence and stared inside her purse.
"What's the matter, did he take your money," Soujirou asked.
Misao shook her head, "No, but I don't remember putting a white slip of paper around a twenty dollar bill."
She pulled out the note and the twenty. The note read, "THANKS FOR THE TWENTY WEASEL GIRL." On the back of the note, he drew a weasel's face with whiskers. Misao's face reddened in fury.
"Argh!!! I'm going to kill him!!"
At that moment, the band began to play music again.
"I feel like dancing," Soujirou said as he quickly grabbed Misao by the arm and dragged her on to the dance floor.
"I'm going to get that roosterhead!!!" She screamed over the music.
Soujirou smiled and kept a tight grip on her as they danced.
TO BE CONTINUED.......
Author's Notes: Hey there minna-san. Arigatou for all the great reviews and following this insanely written romantic comedy!!^_^ Hope this chapter was okay with you too.^_^
Okay, I have good news and bad news. As you can see, the big explosion between the couples in this chapter didn't happen. That's the bad news. So, what's the good news? Well, chapter 8 will be coming out within in a day of or two and it has the big explosion of the couples (yay!) The chapter is complete, but still needs to be reviewed for spelling, grammar, etc. etc. My goal is to have it posted before ffnet goes down for maintenance on 2/14 and 2/15. So I'm working like crazy to have it posted.^_^
Anyhoo, I need your help. Who do you think should be queen and king of the class reunion? It can be anyone of the RK characters (with the exception of Kaoru and Sano. I know, I know, but I have something else planned for them ^_^). So hurry and cast your votes! I would like that info to finish up chapter nine.
Special thanks to JML for noticing my typo with "Toki" and "Tokio". LOL! You wouldn't believe how many times I typed, "Tokio". I thought I caught everything, but I'm so glad you saw it.^_^ I made the correction in chapter 6 when I uploaded this chapter. I also didn't realize that I had written Hoji's name the wrong way. LOL again! I just knew it was the other way around. Thanks for catching that too.^_^
As usual, constructive reviews are welcomed as long as they are genuine and not sarcastic. (Psst... Hey you... Yes you... You've been so great pushing that button. Now, try it one more time, pretty please!^_^ Arigatou)