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 Eight
She pulled out the note and the twenty. The note read, "THANKS FOR THE TWENTY WEASEL GIRL."...... "I'm going to get that roosterhead!!!" She screamed over the music. Soujirou smiled and kept a tight grip on her as they danced.
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Kaoru finally made it to the pool area. She began to do a few stretches so as to loosen up her tense body.
"Mou! I never thought Professor Han would quit talking. His trip to Germany was very nice and all, but I really wanted to spend a little quite time out here by the pool. Hmm... I shouldn't be so selfish. Professor Han was a very nice instructor. He gave me good grades when I had classes with him. His young grandson Tsukayama Yutaro, was so well-mannered. He wasn't as rude as that little brat named Yahiko! But, I'm not going to ruin my evening thinking on him."
Kaoru leaned back to look at the stars. She smiled as a gentle breeze began to sift through her hair. "This breeze feels so good," she said to no one in particular. Kaoru glanced at the water in the pool. She knelt down and put her hand in the water.
"Ahhh.... The temperature is just right for a nice cool dip. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my swimming suit. So, I guess I'll have to settle for dipping my feet in the water instead." She removed her shoes and stuck her feet into the water.
Kenshin finally had a few moments to himself. Hiko kept him very busy after the additional fifty push ups. He made Kenshin take his picture from 45 different angles. That didn't include the 15 poses Hiko took with Omasu and Okon. Kenshin kicked a few pebbles out of his path as he walked through the back garden of the hotel.
"I can't believe Shishou made me take all those pictures of him! How vain can one man be!! I was so close to telling Kaoru how I felt and then HE had to come along and blow everything!"
Suddenly, he heard sounds of soft giggling and splashing. He peered through a tall bush and saw the form of a young woman sitting on the edge of the pool. She was playfully swinging her legs up and down in the water which caused the splashing sounds he heard. The young woman's silhouette reminded him of Kaoru. Kenshin quickly took his camera and put the long range lens on so he could zoom in on the woman's face. It was indeed Kaoru. She giggled softly every time she accidentally splashed water into her face while swinging her legs in the pool. Seeing her in that position, brought back many fond memories.
Kenshin continued to gaze at her through the lens of his long range camera. He couldn't seem to take his eyes off her. His palms grew sweaty and his stomach suddenly developed butterflies. Thoughts of rushing over and scooping her up into his arms were halted as he watched Kaoru lean back slowly and rest her body upon her elbows. The moonlight suddenly seem to glide along the side of her body, casting her flawless reflection upon the surface of the waters. Kenshin stood in awe at the sight before him.
"She's simply... breathtaking."
Without thinking, he began taking pictures of her. The closer he got, the more pictures he took.
Kaoru heard a twig snap. She looked up and saw Kenshin taking her picture.
"Smile," he said quickly.
She blushed deeply before hastily sitting up.
"Kaoru wait, don't move from that position," he gently ordered with camera still in place.
Kaoru could feel her heart racing as she sat watching him moving closer.
"Oh my god! I didn't expect to see him again so soon. I'm not ready for this!"
Kenshin was being very cautious as he neared her.
"Okay Himura, don't blow this. Just pretend that she's one of your clients...." He swallowed a large lump that had suddenly developed in his throat. "....the only problem is, she's a very gorgeous and sexy client."
He decided not to get any closer because he didn't want to frighten her away or do something stupid on impulse.
"You're doing good, now tilt your head a little to the right..."
"..like this," she asked sweetly after tilting her head to the side.
Kenshin sighed inwardly before saying, "Yes, that's perfect." He stood for a moment just staring at his enchantress through the camera. "gorgeous."
Kaoru blushed nervously under his stare. "Mou Kenshin! Quit staring and take the picture."
Kenshin snapped out of his thoughts, "Yes, yes," he said as he quickly took her picture. "You know, you're very photogenic. I could stay in this spot and take your picture all night long," he commented while snapping more pictures.
Kaoru giggled softly, "Kenshin you idiot. Quit wasting your film on me. You'll need it for the other guests."
"But none of the other guests are as enchanting as you."
"I'm sure you've said that to all the beautiful women tonight," Kaoru replied light heartedly as she nerously slipped a few strains of hair behind her ear.
"No," he answered as he snapped another picture and moved closer, "There's only one beautiful woman here tonight... and that woman, is you."
Kaoru's cheeks tinted a light pink as she bit her lower lip in response.
Kenshin lowered his camera to gaze into Kaoru's face directly. There was a long pause between them as they stared into each other's eyes. Kenshin made the first move by taking his camera off from around his neck and kneeling down beside her. Kaoru tore her face away from his and began staring down into the pool. Kenshin quickly took his shoes and socks off and put his legs into the water.
"The water is nice and refreshing," he said as he watched Kaoru's reflection in the water.
"Yes... it is," she uttered as she too cast her eyes at his reflection in the water. She was afraid of looking at him directly.
"Kaoru I..."
"No... let's not spoil this moment Kenshin. I just want to sit here a little longer and enjoy the quite."
He nodded without a word. After a few minutes, Kenshin broke the silence slowly.
"Sitting here like this... reminds me of old times."
"Yes.... it does," she answered politely while nervously pushing a lock of hair behind her ear.
Silence ensued again between the two. Kenshin studied her reflection from the water carefully.
"We use to be able to laugh and talk so freely when were kids. But now, she forces a smile upon her face and speaks to me as if I were a stranger. It's evident that she's still hurting after all these years. I never meant to hurt her so badly. I was so stupid back then. If only I could get through to her somehow and tell her what really happened and how I feel. But, I don't think she wants to talk about it now. Maybe the best thing is to let her bring it up."
Kenshin took a quick glimpse of her before going back to his thoughts.
"Sitting so close to her, without being able to touch her, is killing me. I want to get closer to her. But, will she allow me to get... closer?"
He waited for several minutes to pass before inching closer to where she was sitting.
Kaoru could sense him inching his way toward her.
"He's moving closer now. I know how hard he's been trying to communicate with me, but I'm not sure if I am ready to hear what he has to say. What he did still hurts."
Kenshin finally inched his hand closer to hers. His fingers touched hers ever so lightly. Kaoru froze upon his touch. Kenshin watched her reflection from the water. He then eased his hand on top of hers. Kaoru's heart began to pound profusely and her stomach began to knot up. She was too afraid to look at his reflection from the water.
"Why am I allowing this? I should shove him in the pool and run away but... I... I..."
Her inner thoughts were abruptly cut off when she felt his toe touching hers under the water. Her body began to tingle causing various sensations from his touch. Kenshin quickly glanced at her from out of the corner of his eyes. He saw the blush that had crept upon her cheeks. He cast his eyes back into the water and saw her biting her lower lip. It was driving him crazy.
"I want her so badly. I want to hold her beautiful body next to mine... I want to kiss her sweet innocent lips, the same lips that use to utter words of love to me... I want to make love to the woman she's grown to be... I want her back into my life. I want... Kaoru."
Kenshin leaned closer to Kaoru. "Kaoru, please look at me," he whispered huskily.
Something deep inside forced her to obey his simple request. She gazed upon his face and found herself drowning in his soft violet eyes. Kenshin slowly closed the distance between them, pulling her into a warm embrace. He took his lips and brushed it across hers. Kaoru felt her whole body becoming engulfed in flames as realization of his impending kiss was upon her. She threw all her anger, fear and other reasonings out of her head and gave in to her heart's desires.
Kenshin kissed her tenderly so as to allow her lips to become reaquainted with his. During their kiss, he could tell that she still lacked experience in the art of kissing. His male pride began to swell at the fact that no man had trampled on his territory.
Kaoru's head seemed to be spinning out of control from his tender kiss. The only thing on her mind at that point was for him to kiss her again. Kenshin could tell she wanted more, so he decided it was time to take their kiss to the next level. Unfortunately, before he could deepen the kiss, they heard someone approaching them calling out his name.
"Himura-san? Himura-san?"
Kaoru quickly broke off from the kiss and pushed back from him as the sounds of footsteps got nearer. Kenshin groaned in frustration after losing the warmth of her body and the sweetness of her lips. Murderous thoughts flashed into his mind as he heard the person approach.
Hoji was now standing over Kenshin. Before uttering a word, he noticed dark amber eyes glaring dangerously at him. Hoji swallowed deeply before squeaking out, "Himura-san, please, please forgive the intrusion, but Miss Yumi would like for you to take some pictures of the Juppongatana Band before their final number."
"Inform Miss Yumi that I am videotaping the band as we speak," Kenshin replied swiftly hoping the answer would get rid of Hoji.
"Yes, I'll tell her." Before walking away Hoji turned back to Kenshin. "Don't forget about the Queen and King of the class reunion. We've picked out some nice spots to use as back drops for the picture. Also, we would like for you to...."
As Hoji went over the things they needed Kenshin to do, Kaoru used that time to think.
"It felt so good being held in his arms after all these years. I miss the way only HE could make me feel. Mmmmm..... I loved his tender kiss. It felt soooo good," she giggled.
Kaoru took her fingers and brushed them across her lips where he had kissed her. She blushed deeply as a soft smile played at the corners of her mouth.
"His kisses are so much better now than during the times when I wore braces."
She giggled inwardly again until she replayed the word "braces" in her mind. Suddenly, a flood of bad memories of Kenshin and Megumi flashed before her eyes. Her heart began to sink at the same time that Hoji was finishing up his conversation with Kenshin.
"Thank you Hoji-san." This time his answer was more curt. He wanted to get back to the one who meant the most to him. "Now if you would excuse us."
Hoji looked at Kaoru and then bowed, "Yes, yes, please forgive me again." He quickly left.
Kenshin gazed back into Kaoru's eyes. He leaned forward, almost pressing his lips to hers. "Now... where were we," he whispered huskily. Kaoru abruptly turned her face away from his.
"Kenshin... I think we're going too fast," she stammered before hastily lifting her legs out of the pool. "I'm sorry, but I have to go." She grabbed a towel and quickly dryed off her legs.
Kenshin seemed somewhat perplexed by her change in attitude. He sat frozen as he watched her stand. "What... happened? I was so close to kissing her again. Why is she so upset?"
"Wait don't go Kaoru," he pleaded as he too lifted his legs out of the water. He quickly grabbed hold of her slender wrist. "Please stay..."
"No, I promised Misao and Kamatari that I would help them with... with something," she stammered while slipping her wrist out of his grip. She began frantically looking for her shoes. "Where are my shoes?"
"Kaoru I'm sorry if I went too fast for you. But it's been so long since we've been together like this. I really miss being with you," he uttered while stroking her arm tenderly. Kaoru felt a tingling sensation rushing through her body. She quickly bit her bottom lip to keep from throwing herself into his arms. Kenshin noticed that he was having an effect on her. He decided to continue stroking her arm while speaking in a low tone.
"Why don't we leave this class reunion. It's too noisy. I know a nice quite place where we could go and talk privately over a candlelight dinner. I'd really like to clear up this little, "misunderstanding" we have between us."
Kaoru was stunned. "Little misunderstanding," she repeated questioningly.
Kenshin froze when he realized his mistake. "Opps... wrong words."
"LITTLE MISUNDERSTANDING!!?! Ohhh nooooooo! There was NO "little misunderstanding" on my part," she fumed out sarcastically. "It was CLEAR to me that you wanted to be with that slut Megumi when you had your lips locked around hers," she exclaimed indignantly as she shoved one of her shoes in his chest.
He groaned, "Orooo," as he clutched the shoe that Kaoru thrusted into his chest.
Kaoru scowled at him. "You know, I used to think that you just ACTED like an idiot, but now I know, you really ARE AN IDIOT!!!!" She turned abruptly from him and began muttering curses under her breath as she searched for her other shoe.
Kenshin stood crushed by her reaction. He glanced down at the shoe he was still clutching in his hand. "Kaoru's right, I am an idiot and she has every reason to be angry. But I'm not going to let her go again."
He watched her for a moment, as she continued searching for her other shoe. He then joined her in the search. "Kaoru, I know what I did was wrong, and uhm, it really shouldn't have happened. I was a total jerk and like you said an idiot...."
Kaoru ignored his feeble attempt at explaining himself. She kept searching for her other shoe. "Mou! Where did I put my shoe!"
Kenshin continued trying to reach her. "....I never meant to hurt you. I loved you so much and I still love you Kaoru."
"You loved me? If you loved me, than why did you dump me for HER," she asked harshly after snatching her shoe from his hand. Kaoru turned her face away from his and in a low trembling voice asked more questions. "What was it about her? Was she... prettier than me? Or, was she a better kisser? Is that it Kenshin? You preferred her kisses over mine?"
"No Kaoru, that's not it," he replied softly. "You are very beautiful and I've always loved your sweet kisses."
"Then what was it," she cried out. "Why'd you dump me Kenshin!"
Kenshin swallowed deeply and answered, "Because... I wanted to be popular and cool at the time."
Kaoru stared at him. Kenshin decided not to react to her but to continue with his explanation.
"When I entered high school most of the guys teased me about my long hair, my magenta shirts and my gold earring in my left ear. They used to say that I was gay. I tried to ignore them for a while, but it was hard because a lot of the guys didn't want to associate with someone who looked "gay". So, I got into a lot of fights.
My guidance counselor suggested that I join the drama club to work out my inner stress. I didn't think it would hurt, so I joined. Eventually, I started to get parts where I had to kiss girls. At first it felt a little funny to be kissing someone other than you. But then I got the shock of my life when some of the girls said I was a lousy kisser. So I wanted to prove to them that they were wrong!
By the next school year, I began to get a reputation among the girls of being a great kisser. When the guys heard that, they thought I was cool. It made me feel good about myself to know that I was finally accepted. But being "cool" came with a price. Some of the guys became jealous when all the girls started giving me so much attention. Everyday different girls would slip love letters and their pictures in my locker. Some girls would stop me in the hallways and kiss me before running off again. One girl even left her pink panties in my locker with her telephone number on it."
Kaoru turned her back and looked down toward the ground. "Why didn't you tell me about this Kenshin?"
"I didn't want to worry you. I thought that I could handle it myself," he answered as he walked over and stood next to her. "But I was wrong. By the time I was sixteen, most of the guys had already experienced loving making. I guess I wanted to experience that too. You were just fourteen at the time and still so young and innocent. I knew you weren't ready for that. So I made up my mind that I was going to wait until you were ready. But then, the guys started teasing me again.
The only way that I could get them off my back, without cheating on you, would be to "pretend" that I was doing it with someone. So my plan was to find a hot girl that all the guys knew would put out. So that's where Megumi came in. She and I agreed that we weren't going to actually do it because she knew that I was still in love with you. I also knew that Sano liked her.
So, over a course of two months, we fooled everyone into thinking that Megumi and I was making out. Life was good again. I had you, the girl I really loved, I had a reputation of being a stud with all the girls, and a reputation of being totally cool with all the guys.
My plan worked for a while, that is, until Megumi started pressuring me into "really" dating her. She told me if I didn't dump you and go out with her, she would tell everyone that we were faking. I didn't have the heart to break up with you. So that's when I stopped pretending and made it real with Megumi. The day you caught us kissing, was the day I was going to speak with you. I didn't mean for you to find out that way. I'm so sorry Kaoru. I've been miserable ever since we broke up. I even got involved with alcohol and drugs for a while. I finally realized that I didn't need those things in my life. All I need is you."
Kenshin turned to Kaoru and gazed into her eyes. "Kaoru, can you find it in your heart to forgive this unworthy one for hurting you?"
A brief moment of silence ensued between them. Kaoru then turned to Kenshin with tears in her eyes. "Yes," she uttered in a low trembling voice. "Yes Kenshin, I forgive you."
Kenshin pulled her into a warm embrace and cried upon her shoulders. "I love you Kaoru."
Kaoru stroked his back gently while shedding her own tears upon his chest. "I love you too," she cried.
Kenshin finally moved back slightly. He wiped the tears from here eyes before kissing her softly. After breaking the kiss, Kaoru smiled and uttered, "Mmmm... you really are a good kisser."
Kenshin smiled in return. "You think so," he asked as he pushed back a lock of hair from her face.
"Yes," she answered softly while running her fingers in his hair. "Kiss me again," she whispered as she closed her eyes and lean upward.
Kenshin tilted her chin slightly to his. He started off slowly, pressing his lips into hers. Before he could deepen the kiss, Kaoru suddenly stiffened upon hearing an all too familar voice.
"Ah Ken-san, I've been looking all over for you," Megumi said sweetly as she neared them.
Kaoru tried to break away from Kenshin but he refused to let her go. He held onto her hand. Megumi looked Kaoru up and down before her eyes stopped upon them holding hands. "I see you two lovebirds have finally kissed and made up. It's a shame though now that the tanuki is engaged and all."
Kenshin's eyes widened, "Engaged?"
"Oh, you didn't know that you were playing kissy face with an engaged woman?"
Kenshin lifted her hand and saw an engagement ring upon Kaoru's finger. He suddenly dropped her hand as if it was on fire and stumbled backwards. He felt as though his heart was going to shatter in a million pieces. "I've... I've lost her again...."
"Kenshin, I can explain," Kaoru said nervously.
Megumi quickly went over to catch Kenshin as he stumbled backwards. "Don't worry Ken-san, I'm here for you," she said while helping him to stand and wrapping her arm into his. "Go away tanuki, can't you see we're busy." Megumi leaned her head upon his shoulder.
Kaoru glared daggers at Megumi before yelling, "Get your hands off him you slimy woman!" She wrapped her arm into Kenshin's other arm and tried to jerked him away from Megumi.
"Oro!"
"You're an engaged woman now, you and Ken-san have nothing in common. Go find your fiancé," she said jerking Kenshin back to her side.
"Oro!"
"I'm not engaged," Karou yelled as she jerked Kenshin to her side.
"Oro? Not engaged?" Kenshin suddenly developed a silly smile on his face. "She's not engaged..."
"SHE IS ENGAGED, why else would she be wearing an engagement ring," Megumi hissed as she yanked Kenshin back toward her side.
"Oroo..." "She is engaged, sniff, sniff..."
"Kenshin, don't listen to that slutty woman, she's nothing but a LIAR," Kaoru retorted while yanking him to her side again. "I AM NOT ENGAGED!!"
"Orooo..." A goofy grin appeared on Kenshin's face again. "My Kaoru is not engaged..."
"Oh really, then I guess that would make Ryuuzaburo a liar too," Megumi countered. "It was HE who told me that you and Sagara Sanosuke were engaged!"
As if on cue, Sano approached the group. "Hey Jou-chan, weasel girl is looking for you." He looked over to Megumi and grinned wickedly. "Looking real sexy there fox." Megumi's cheek tinted a light pink.
Kaoru smirked at Megumi once she saw Sano. "Now, we can get this whole thing settled. Sano, tell Kenshin that we're not engaged."
"Huh?"
"You heard me you big dumb jerk, tell Kenshin that we are not engaged," hissed Kaoru.
At this point, Megumi was relieved to know that Kaoru and Sano weren't married. "Ohohohoho... I still have a chance with tori-ama."
Everyone watched Sano carefully as he stood in silence. Sano took note of the way Megumi seemed a little anxious as to his single status. He also saw the desperate look on both Kenshin and Kaoru's faces. He smirked inwardly. "Heh, heh, this may prove to be interesting. It's pay back time!"
"Well??" Kaoru asked.
Sano cleared his throat and said, "As a matter of fact.... yes. I proposed to Jou-chan earlier tonight at the reunion."
Kaoru screamed, "WHAT!!"
Sano grabbed Kaoru and wrapped her into his arms. "It's okay baby, now that everyone knows, we can get out of here and go back to my place and celebrate. Maybe you could wear that little sexy black laced lingerie set you wore in bed this morning. She's really a tigress in bed you know, grrrooowwwlll!!"
Kenshin's eyes turned amber, while Kaoru face turned crimson in color. She exploded, "SANOSUKE YOU PERVERT!!! LET GO OF ME!!" She began yelling and pounding at his chest for him to release her.
Kenshin's eyes narrowed dangerously at Sano. "You heard her, let... her... go," He demanded in a low threatening tone.
"Sorry, but I believe you gave your woman up for mine long time ago," Sano answered back coldly. Megumi's heart began to flutter after hearing Sano proclaim her as "his woman". "I've won Jou-chan's heart now and just face it, you lost."
As Sano leaned in to kiss Kaoru, she turned her head and yelled, "Get your chicken lips away from me!"
Kenshin couldn't stand it any more. He charged at Sano and knocked him into a row of chairs along side the pool. The two of them began fighting furiously. They wrestled each other to the ground, rolling around until finally, "SPLASH!!" They fell into the swimming pool.
Kaoru and Megumi were shocked. They both ran over to the edge of the pool and watched as Kenshin and Sano wrestled under water. Megumi turned to Kaoru and hissed, "This is all your fault tanuki!"
"My fault? It's your fault," she retorted by slapping Megumi in the face.
Megumi was stunned momentarily, before slapping Kaoru back. "How dare you slap me!"
"Why you little tramp...." Kaoru punched Megumi in the face. Megumi shoved Kaoru down. They both began wrestling on the ground until, "SPLASH!!" They too were in the swimming pool fighting.
Misao and Soujirou walked out looking for Sano and Kaoru. "I knew I shouldn't have trusted that roosterhead to find Kaoru." They suddenly heard wild sounds of splashing over near the pool. "What idiot could be swimmin..." she paused in mid-sentence when she saw Kaoru and Megumi wrestling in the pool along with Sano and Kenshin.
She smiled widely upon seeing Kaoru getting the upper hand in the fight with Megumi. "Way to go Kaoru-chan!!" Misao cheered. Soujirou smiled as he watched the fight.
Unbeknownst to them, another couple had entered the pool area. As the couple strolled closer, Misao and Soujirou looked up. Misao gasped inwardly, "Aoshi-sama!" Her heart began to pound profusely and her stomach began to knot up the closer Shinomori Aoshi got to her. Misao noticed a woman hanging off his arm. It was Moriya Misangi. Misangi wore a long black taffeta evening gown with a sheer laced plunging neckline and plunging back. The sides of her dress was sheer laced from top to bottom, exposing everything about her.
Misao began to freak out as she watched Aoshi and Misangi nearing them.
"Oh... my... god!!! That two timing whore!! She looks like an MTV reject in that... that... I can't even call it a gown! I can't believe she has the nerve to drap herself all over MY Aoshi-sama!! I'm going to kill her!!!" Misao screamed as she ran toward Misangi.
"Misao-chan wait," Soujirou called out, but it was too late. Misao had already wrestled Misangi to the ground and they too fell into the pool. "SPLASH!!"
Soujirou turned to Aoshi, shrugged and smiled. "Nice night for a swim isn't it?"
Aoshi didn't respond. He had his icy blue ices glued on a certain little ninja girl dressed in green fighting with Misangi in the pool.
TO BE CONTINUED.......
Author's Notes: Hey there minna-san. Hope this chapter was long enough. So, I finally managed to squeeze all the RK couples in there. Hope you liked it. I'm really not that great with fights (I'm a lover, not a fighter, heh, heh) Okay, coming down to the next to last chapter (yeah, I hadn't planned on writing a chapter 10, but it just happened that way.^_^). So, more fun to come. Thanks for sticking with this wacky story.
As usual, constructive reviews are welcomed as long as they are genuine and not sarcastic. (Psst... Hey you... Yes you... don't be shy, you can do it, push the bottom for Gypsy-chan.^_^ Arigatou)