Love Rule #2: Never underestimate the idiocy of a man.
"Force carrying particles can be grouped into four categories based on the strength of the force they carry and the particles with which they interact. These are…" Megumi's voice trailed off, obviously waiting for Sanosuke to answer. It was just twenty minutes into their first after-class tutoring session and she was about to reach her breaking point.
"The I-force, the love-force, the --" Sano began, with a wicked glint in his brown eyes.
"Look, rooster-head, I'm not in the mood for any of your games," she snapped. She had her homework to think of, and cram school to attend to much later. She also needed to sign up for the pageant. Aoshi was right. This was her last year. There was no way that Megumi Takani would give anything up so easily.
Except maybe Sanosuke Sagara.
She sighed. How could such a fine specimen of a man also be the rudest one of his gender? She chalked it up to one of life's eternal mysteries. "Okay, Sanosuke --"
"Call me Sano, fox," he interrupted, leaning back into his seat.
"Okay, rooster-head," she emphasized, "I'm serious. Let's just get this over with. I've got a lot of things to do. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can get on with our lives. I think we both have better things to do."
"Gravitational force, electromagnetic force, weak nuclear force, and strong nuclear force," he recited, without even once glancing at his textbook. In fact, Megumi was well aware that it had remained closed throughout their whole tutoring session.
"What did you say?" Megumi asked astonished, not quite believing what she heard.
Sano shrugged. "You asked me what the four categories were. I just told you. Right now, modern physics attempts to find a grand unification theory that will explain how these four forces are different aspects of a single force."
Megumi flipped through her book. "That last part you mentioned… that's not in my notes."
He tapped the side of his head. "It's all in here, fox."
"I'm serious, Sano. Where'd you get that stuff?"
"You think I must have copied that from somebody else's paper now, do you?" Sano said, almost as if he had read her mind. His lips were twisted into his usual smirk, but his eyes held a faint trace of… hurt? Sadness? He stood up. "I think we're finished for today."
They still a few minutes left, but Megumi bit her lip and followed his lead, silently collecting her notes. Sanosuke Sagara was an enigma to her. She had him pegged as another dumb jock, like the countless ones that hung around her all over school. But here he was quoting physics facts they've never even discussed in class. What was up with the guy? She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice that Sano had followed her out of their classroom and down the corridor.
He was walking too close behind her that she couldn't help herself. "What are you doing?" she asked a little forcefully. This guy was messing up with her train of logic, and the last thing she needed right now was to be thinking about him.
"Walking," he replied matter-of-factly.
She stopped and pointed to the other direction. "The baseball field is that way."
"I'm walking you to wherever it is you have to go," he answered, tucking his hands behind the back of his head in that casual manner of his.
"I can manage just fine, thank you very much," she said haughtily.
Sano grinned. "I bet you're rushing off to meet Himura. Got a hot date with him, huh? I've seen the way you look at him. What is it about that guy, anyway?"
Megumi blushed slightly and instantly regretted doing so. "What I do is none of your business. So if I want to meet my friends after school, then that's my problem." She started walking down the hall again.
But Sano was still right there at her heels.
"Now what?" she asked, frustrated. She was close to losing her patented calm and grace under pressure every time she was confronted with this idiot.
The idiot in question shrugged. "What I do is none of your business. SO if I want to walk this way to get to the opposite direction, then that's my problem."
Megumi rolled her eyes. "You're a hundred years too late, Einstein. Magellan already proved that the world is round."
"Damn, fox, you sound so sexy when you talk science to me," he teased.
Thankfully, they had reached the student council office, where Aoshi said he would be waiting for the contestants to sign up. She turned to Sano. "Okay, end of the line, rooster-head. See you in class."
But he had already noticed the poster tacked on the council door. "Beauty pageant, eh? Looks like I came to the right place." He gave Megumi the once-over, studying her from head to toe. "Hmm, you'll pass."
Megumi's temper flared. "I'll pass? I'll have you know that I'm the reigning Miss Meiji High School."
"And I bet it's not because of your pleasant personality," he teased, pushing the door open.
It took all of Megumi's willpower not to scream at the guy. Luckily, she caught sight of Aoshi sitting at a long table, flanked by his vice president and his secretary, two girls that Megumi knew by their first names – Omasu and Okon. She tried not to look at the competition – the other girls who were filling out application forms around the room – and sauntered to the sign-up list.
She wrote her name with a flourish: Megumi Takani. But just as she straightened up, she felt an arm around her shoulders. "Looks like we'll be spending a lot of time together, fox."
She gave him a shocked expression and looked frantically around the room for an answer. What did he mean by that? Then she met Aoshi's eyes. Her friend nodded. "Sano just volunteered to be floor manager for your beauty pageant."
Megumi's mouth hung open. "Better close that, sweetheart," Sano murmured in her ear. "It's not becoming for the reigning Miss Meiji High School."
****
Love Rule #3: Lie. Always let your man believe that he's better than you are.
Kaoru went straight to the girl's locker room as soon as she finished with her kendo varsity practice. "Whew! I really broke some sweat training today. That Soujirou surely had potential!" she said to herself as she wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. She opened her locker and pulled out her towel and bathing necessities. She was about to go to the shower stalls when she heard some noises.
"Have you seen that Kamiya girl in the training hall?"
"Yeah, she is really good. Didn't you see her attack those guys on the floor?"
"Yeah, I know. I wonder why she does that?"
"I heard she is some sort-of a man-hater."
"Really?"
"Yeah, that's why she always beat up her suitors. They say she is a lesbian."
Kaoru narrowed her eyes, gripping her bokken so hard that her knuckles went white. They are so going to be sorry for spreading rum—
"I know, she is so violent!"
Violent? Me?
With that, Kaoru dropped her bokken with a loud thud, echoing throughout the room. When the two gossiping girls heard the noise, they immediately ran out to the door not wanting to find out what or who made the noise.
I am not violent!!! Stupid women! Don't they know that sparring is part of kendo? Ugh! She mentally yelled in frustration. Relax, Kaoru. Take a long hot shower and relax. As if I cared about what other people think of me.
Kaoru bent her neck from side to side to ease the tension. Slowly, she stripped off her black gi and undid the tie that held her hair. She closed her eyes, letting her hair cascade down in soft waves. She closed her locker as she opened her eyes slowly.
"Aaaaiiiiieeeee!!!! Kamatari what are you doing here!!!" Kaoru yelled on top of her lungs as she picked up her bokken from the floor. She creased up her sleeves and waved her bokken threateningly. "Katamari! You are a man!! You are not supposed to come in a woman's locker room," she said through gritted teeth as veins swelled in her forehead.
"A woman at heart, Kaoru-sama," he said bowing in front of the furious Kaoru. "You are the strongest and sexiest person I had ever met. I had never been so turned on."
"GET OUT OF HERE!! HEEENNNNTTTAAAIIIIII" Kaoru screamed as she shoved Kamatari out of the women's locker room.
"But, Kaoru-sama! I'm gay and you're a lesbian! We fit perfectly!" he exclaimed.
Kaoru's eyes twitched in irritation as Kamatari sweatdropped.
Making Kaoru lose her temper had never been a good idea.
**WHAM!**
After Kaoru threw out the unconscious body of Kamatari, she grabbed her duffel bag inside and decided to bathe at her house instead. Call it paranoia but she didn't felt secure undressing in a place where a he-she could just barge in and out whenever he wanted to.
Kaoru sighed. This is getting worse everyday. I wonder what they'll do tomorrow.
Kaoru hastened her steps through the corridor, enthusiastic to come home and unwind. She prayed silently that she wouldn't be sidetracked but that was not to be.
"Oh, Kaoru! Sweet Kaoru! You are as beautiful as the sun that sets in the eastern sky."
"That's west, Ryuzaburo," I replied bluntly.
"Kaoru, you slay with me your wit and intelligence. Please go out on a date with me," he pleaded passionately. When he reached out his hand to her, he accidentally touched one of Kaoru's breast causing this hot-tempered kenjutsu instructor to give him one hell of a solid slap on the face.
"You pervert! Don't touch me!" she yelled out as her eyes flared up dangerously..
"Oh my lady! Spurn me! Strike me! Beat me! Neglect and lose me! I do not care! Just give me the will and hope to follow you and watch over you!"
Looking at his pleading puppy dog eyes, Kaoru sighed in resignation and nodded. "See you tomorrow, Ryuzaburo! I want to go home now… in peace."
Ryuzaburo's face lit up as he asked, "Is that a yes?"
"Yes to what?"
"To my love?"
"No."
"Oh…"
Smiling weakly, I waved my hands and said, "Goodbye, Ryuzaburo!" Please! Let him get the hint!
"Goodbye, mi-lady."
Yes!
With that, Kaoru ran out of the school, hoping that she will not bump into anything that resembled the male species. When she had reached the front steps, her jaw dropped.
I cannot believe this. Is this piss-off Kaoru day?
There, she saw ten of her most persistent suitors, blocking the way wearing cocky grins on their faces.
Kaoru rolled her eyes, placing her hands on her hips. "What do you want now?" Can't I at least go back home in peace?"
"Kaoru-sama, I present you. The Juppongatanna," Hoji Sadojima announced as he extended his arm to introduce his companions.
"We had formed an alliance with one goal in mind," Saizuchi said as he eyed Kaoru from head to foot.
Kaoru fought the urge to pinch her nose in disgust. Dirty old man! Get a life! What are you doing in high school grounds, you phedo. Since she couldn't possibly say that she settled on raising her eyebrows as she asked, "Which is?"
"To melt your heart enough to date us."
"Is that so?" she asked, nodding her head mockingly. Narrowing my eyes in slits, I continued, "Who said I was going to allow you to come close enough to do that?"
"C'mon babe! Don't play hard to get!" Cho huffed giving her a smug smile.
"Who said anything about playing around!?"
"Oh come on! I know you are enjoying every minute of this," he snapped back.
"Can't you guys get a clue? Leave me alone! How many times do I have to say it to get through your thick skulls?" At this point, Kaoru's blood had reached its boiling point.
Noticing this, the guys backed off except for Hoji who confidently stepped up and said, "Let's make a deal. I have a proposition for you."
Kaoru crossed her arms to her chest and spat out, "I am not interested…"
"Listen to me. You would want to hear this."
"Why would I want anything from you?" she scowled.
"Yeah Hoji What is it?" Hennya asked.
"I think this is one of his plans to get pass us," Usui growled. "I would like to remind you I am telepsychic," he proclaimed haughtily.
"I know. He wants Kaoru all to himself!" Iwanbo gruffed, his weird grin not leaving his face.
"Traitor!" Hennya yelled.
"What do we do to traitors?"
"Decapitate him!" Chou rubbed in.
Kaoru rolled her eyes, tapping her foot impatiently, "I'm waiting…"
Hoji gulped upon hearing Chou's comment. He decided to change tactics. He threw his arms wide to control the commotion, "Wait! Wait idiots! Listen to what I have to say!"
"How do we know that this isn't just for your own gain?
"Hear me out first, will you!?"
Why do I stick around for this? Kaoru mentally reprimanded herself. While they were busy arguing, she sneaked out from the side and decided to run.
"Kaoru, wait!!"
She sped up her strides, not looking back.
Hoji, along with the other members of the Juppongatanna, tried to catch her. He panted, "Wait here's the deal. We will all spar you, one by one. Whoever gets to beat you, dates you. What do you think?"
Kaoru turned around, obviously interested at his offer. Trying to mask her emotions, she smirked, "What happens to the ones I defeat?"
"I assure you that they will stop bugging you."
"Hey! We'll never agree to that," Saizuchi protested.
"Are you scared?" Chou asked mockingly.
"You must at least prove yourselves to be man enough to date her," Hennya added.
"Kaoru, do you agree?" Hoji asked.
"Hmmm…" Kaoru eyed each one of them and smiled. "So, I spar with each you once and the ones I beat will stop bugging me?
"That's right."
"All right. I agree. Let's go to the field and brace yourselves," she announced bravely as she took out the bokken from her bag.
Looks like practice isn't over yet, Kaoru grinned inwardly.
"Yosh! I wonder where I'll bring this hot mama!"
Usui smirked at Chou's arrogant comment. "Hmph, as if you'll defeat her. I, on the other hand, will bring her over my home and give her a taste of --"
**BAM**
"Next!"
~~~~~
Princess Rule #1: Practice makes perfect.
Misao toyed with the flier in her hand. She had been studying it the whole day, and she was still debating on whether to join or not. She sneaked a glance at the Student Council office, where she had seen Aoshi and Kenshin disappear into earlier. Since then, she had counted the number of females that have entered the room. She gritted her teeth.
She remembered the very first day she fell in love with him – the very instant she saw him. She was still in junior high school when their class went visiting high schools. At that time, Misao wasn't really sure which high school she wanted to enter; as long as she was with Kaoru, it was okay with her. Saying that she was interested in the Meiji High trip was an understatement. While her other classmates went around inquiring about laboratory facilities and extra-curricular activities, she had gone off to wander on her own.
Too bad, she lost track of where the rest of the class was.
Then she saw him.
He was dressed in their winter uniform, a dark blue blazer that emphasized his icy blue eyes. He walked the halls with a smooth and quiet confidence. When he saw her alone, he had stopped and inclined his head slightly. "Your friends are probably over there. On the other wing." And without even waiting to hear her reply, he walked away, taking her heart with him.
After that, it was only natural that she worked her butt off to get into Meiji High. But after two years, she never really took the chance to talk to him outside of her stalking activities.
But she wasn't about to despair. She still had time to meet him today. Either he was going to come out of the office – he was bound to come out of the room sooner or later -- or she would decide to storm in there and win him with her Miss Meiji High charms.
Hair? She pulled on her braid tightly. Check.
Uniform? She brushed off a non-existent piece of lint from her blouse. Check.
Padded bra? Double check.
"Aaaaaiiiiieeee!!!"
What was that? Misao was startled by the high-pitched sound. Her athletic instincts kicked into gear. Something about it was so familiar. She didn't wait to find out.
Misao began running.
He was in the middle of helping Aoshi organize the beauty pageant contestants when Kenshin narrowed his eyes upon hearing what seemed to be battle cries. He hurried out of the Student Council to check to out. Thoughts raced through his head as he sped out. It seems that someone – and doesn't sound like it's just one person – is giving out these torturous cries for help. I have to go and see what it is. Someone needs my hel—
**BAM!**
"Oh, it's you again," he said absent-mindedly as he stared at the door in the end of the hallway.
Misao got up, straightened her skirt and retorted, "I have a name, you know." Twice in a day, she thought. How unlucky could she be? She discreetly checked her bra. Yup, still there. Both of them.
"Aaaaaiiiiieeee!!!"
The voice sounded more desperate now. What was it? Misao snapped her head towards the direction of the noise and said frantically, "That sounds like a female wailing for help."
Kenshin and Misao's eyes met as they ran towards the front yard of their school, both prepared for battle.
I have a bad feeling about this. Misao silently pleaded, "Oh God! Please let it not be Kaoru."
Author's Notes:
Thank you to all those who left the review! Whew! Writing this is so much fun!! By the way, the physics facts came from "A Brief History of Time" written by Stephen Hawking.
You know the drill. Reviews, comments, suggestions, constructive criticisms, waff demands and the like are welcome! ^_^
More fun to come!!!