Love Rule #4: All's fair in love and war. Especially in war.
In the middle of the impending chaos, a tall, muscular man came to the scene, his arms crossed and his face austere. He growled, "What's going on here?"
Everybody turned around and stared at him in shock as they all mumbled. "Ummm… Ano.. Eto…"
Principal Anji Yuukyuuzan watched as Fuji dropped Kaoru to the floor. Pointing at all men in the scene, he yelled out, "You, all of you! Detention until the end of the week."
Just then, Kenshin and Misao came running down their direction. Kenshin stared at Kaoru worriedly as Misao panted, "Kaoru-chan, are you alright?"
Kenshin was also about to speak to Kaoru when their principal turned to him and said, "Come to break up the fight, ne? Kenshin Himura, I am so glad you are here. You really are a commendable student!"
Kenshin blushed at the praise and stammered, "But sir anoo…"
Misao glanced at their principal, nudging Kaoru slightly on the ribs. She said loudly, "You look tired, Kaoru. Let's go home!"
Kaoru looked at her best friend quizzically.
"Come on, let's go before Principal Anji questions you too," Misao whispered.
As Kaoru allowed herself to be dragged away by her genki best friend, she caught eyes with a certain redhead who came to her rescue a little too late.
Meanwhile, Kenshin stared at Kaoru's retreating figure, not even listening to a word his principal was saying. He just nodded absent-mindly and mumbled, "Umm… all right."
"Great!"
Kenshin was suddenly knocked out of his stupor. "What?"
"You just agreed to guard them in detention."
Kenshin's jaw dropped.
"Yes, afternoons until the end of the week starting this afternoon."
"I would like to oblige but I have to cover the pageant for the paper…"
"Then do it after the meeting!" Principal Anji boomed. "I'll expect you in my office. Thank you Himura-san! You really are an outstanding student!" Narrowing his eyes, Principal Anji turned to the Juppongatana, who were taking little steps back from him, he sneered, "Where are you going? To my office! Now!"
Kenshin watched as Kaoru's suitors walked behind the principal with their shoulders slumped. Looking back at the horizon. He whispered to himself, "Who is that girl?"
~~~~~
"Who is that guy?" Kaoru asked Misao, trying to hide the curiosity from her voice.
Misao turned to face her, looking at her best friend incredulously.
Kaoru's eyes widened as she asked innocently, "What? What did I say?"
"Don't tell me you don't know him!" Misao exclaimed.
Kaoru rolled her eyes, crossing her arms in front of her, "Why would I ask if I already knew?"
"Kaoru, he is Kenshin Himura. Editor-in-chief of the school paper, captain of the kendo team, campaign manager of the winning party Onniwabanshuu," Misao enumerated. She glanced at Kaoru and continued, "Aoshi's best friend, ring a bell?"
Kaoru shook her head and replied, "No. I was in Osaka for a kendo competition during the election period. I don't read our periodicals and I am not interested in Aoshi to care about his best friend," she stated matter-of-factly.
"Oh, yeah, right," Misao muttered under her breath.
Kaoru walked towards the window of her bedroom. Looking at the horizon, she whispered inaudibly, "Kenshin Himura."
~~~~~
Kaoru let Misao drag her back to the student council office, as her friend mumbled something about a beauty contest. But Kaoru wasn't really listening. Her thoughts were on the redheaded guy who had rushed to help her out.
But just as they rounded off a corner, Kaoru found herself firmly pinned against her locker. "Hey!" she cried out in protest. She glared at her assailant defiantly as she struggled to reach her bokken inside her bag. Usui. Seems like there was one member of the Juppongatana that escaped Principal Anji's wrath.
"Hi, Kaoru! You still owe me that date!" Usui smiled mischievously.
"No, I don't!" she said as she hit Usui with her bokken. Beside her, Misao cheered her on.
Usui caught her bokken with his hand. "We had a deal, whoever beats you dates you, darling," he said confidently as he inched his face towards hers.
Struggling to break free, Kaoru raised and eyebrow and sneered, "I don't recall you beating me since the fight didn't even formally begin in the first place."
"Then fight me now. Are you scared, honey?"
"Of course she's not, you idiot!" Misao interrupted, glaring at him as she tugged at his arm. "We're going somewhere and you're in our way. So let her go now!"
"Then how does she expect to beat me when she can't even get out of my grasp," he smiled mockingly.
Kaoru tried kicking him. "Then why don't you let me go so we can fight fair?"
Just then, Kenshin appeared behind him, jerked him off Kaoru and yelled, "Didn't you hear her? She said let her go!" He glared at him with amber eyes, emitting a very strong battle ki.
Usui felt shocked at the strong aura Kenshin released so he backed away, muttering curses under his breath.
"Wow, Himura, that was awesome!" Misao told him. But Kenshin just nodded. He turned to Kaoru, looked at her worriedly and asked, "Are you all right?"
Kaoru glanced back him with the corner of her eyes and replied as her cheeks blushed a light shade of pink, "Um… yeah." Finally looking directly at his purple eyes, she said softly, "Thank you. You didn't need to bother though, I could've handled him myself."
Kenshin smiled at Kaoru and answered, "I know."
Time seemed to stop for both of them as they locked eyes.
Kaoru's blush deepened as she thought, Kenshin doesn't seem to be like the other guys. He seems to be a "non-jerk". Is he really different? His eyes seem to speak volumes. Its mixture of passion and softness captivates me in many ways that I feel as if I can stare at them forever… No! I mustn't think this way. All guys are the same…
Kaoru's contemplation was cut short when she heard loud whispers across them. It seems that even though it was late in the afternoon and classes were over, they still managed to gather a small crowd. "Hey, is Kaoru going to beat up Kenshin, too?"
"I heard she beat up all her suitors a while ago."
"I told you that man-hater is a lesbian!"
Kenshin immediately turned to the crowd of students around them. Caught by his firm and questioning look, they drifted away in embarrassed silence. Kaoru dropped the bokken she was holding as a deep frown formed on her face.
"What was that all about?" Kenshin inquired, peering into her eyes.
"Nothing," she replied flatly.
Kenshin's face fell at her brush-off. "Oh…"
Kaoru smiled apologetically and began, "It's just a rumor the Juppongatana spread."
"Juppongatana?"
"They are a group of guys determined to make my life miserable because I refuse to date them. After I dumped them a couple of times, they started a rumor that I was a man-hating lesbian to save face. Since no one else would date me because of that rumor, they think that I will be forced to date them to clear my name and prove my femininity…"
Kaoru's explanation was cut short when Misao jumped in. "Kaoru! Haven't you been listening to me? I have to get to the student council office right now!"
Kaoru looked at her watch worriedly and said to Kenshin apologetically, "Sorry, but I have to run!" With that, she bolted towards the opposite direction where her energetic best friend had run off.
"Kaoru," he called out.
Kaoru stopped and turned to face him. "Hmm?"
Kenshin smiled disarmingly at her and said meaningfully, "I'm sure that there are still men who are willing to date you despite the rumors."
She smiled casually, unaware that her blush revealed her emotions. "I won't bet my money on that. I am not exactly a guy's typical dream girl. Ja!" She was about to run when she remembered, "Ano… thank you."
"You're welcome," Kenshin yelled as he watched her dash away. He smiled inwardly, No, you're not typical because I think you are special, Kaoru.
~~~~~
"Kaoru… Earth to Kaoru," Misao chanted as she waved her hands in front of Kaoru's face, peering into her eyes curiously. She slowed down her jog to let Kaoru catch up.
"Huh? What?" Sighing in exasperation, she continued in a downhearted tone, "I don't know what to do with the rumors."
"Why don't you just date one of them and put yourselves out of your misery," Misao quipped. Kaoru looked like she was about to snap at her when Misao waved her hands in front of her and said defensively, "I'm kidding, okay?"
Kaoru nodded, the frown not leaving her delicate features.
Suddenly, Misao stopped in her tracks. Her eyes brightened as she exclaimed, "I know! Kaoru, you only have one choice left!"
Kaoru raised her eyebrows in query.
"You have to accompany me to the pageant!" she announced with much enthusiasm.
"What pageant?"
"The pageant I was talking about earlier! Haven't you been listening to me? I told you I wanted to join." Misao said as she waved around one of the posters she kept in her bag.
"Let your inner beauty shine through. Join the Miss Meiji High School Pageant sponsored by the Student Council," she read aloud. She looked back at Misao. Her best friend was a pretty girl, but Kaoru just couldn't imagine her as beauty contest material. Now she wanted her to do this, too? "But I'm not into this!" she protested.
"One word. Juppongatana," she replied flatly.
Good point. If she joined, she would be able to prove to everyone that she was 100% woman, without having to worry about the rumors every time she beat the Juppongatana up. "Ummm… On second thought, maybe I'll think about it," Kaoru grinned.
With that, Misao jumped up and hugged her best friend from behind. "Yey! At first, I was thinking that you'll be my number one fan during the pageant but joining this together is going to be much, more fun!"
"Oh boy! What have I gotten myself into?" Kaoru asked herself as she slapped her forehead. Misao's right, this is the only way to clear my name, besides… An image of a redheaded boy drifted into her mind, but Kaoru shook her head violently to clear any thoughts forming on her head. Thoughts she didn't want to entertain yet. But the image persisted. His earlier words came back to her…"I'm sure that there are still men who are willing to date you despite the rumors." Could he be someone like that?
Ugh! Kenshin, you better be worth this! she mentally screamed, finally giving into her mind's mantra.
~~~~~
Princess Rule # 2: It pays to pay attention.
"Hurry, Kaoru," Misao urged her friend on, as she ran through the nearly empty corridors of Meiji High. "They said that there's a five o' clock deadline for contestants!"
"Can't you see I'm hurrying?" Kaoru gasped. "I still can't believe I'm doing this."
"Kaoru! We just went through this five minutes ago. This pageant is the answer to your prayers. You beating up those Juppongatana guys won't stop these rumors around about your sexual preference. So unless you want to start dating them to shut them up, this will have to do."
Kaoru gave her a teasing smile. "You just want someone to be with you when you romance your Aoshi."
Misao blushed. "Yeah, and that too."
"Fine, you win!" Kaoru said, pushing Misao through the student council door.
"You ladies signing up?" an authoritative voice said coolly. Misao could recognize that voice anywhere. It was her prince charming. It was her knight in shining armor. It was –
It was talking to her.
"Ah, uhm…" a tongue-tied Misao stuttered, gesturing frantically to Kaoru, who signed and stepped forward.
"Yes," she said, tugging Misao along to the sign-up sheet.
Aoshi nodded. "Good. You made it just in time."
Misao could barely keep her mind on what she was doing as her eyes followed Aoshi as he went about the room. He was so in control. So confident and mature. Misao could only clutch at her application form to her chest.
The object of her desire looked around the room. "Just a few announcements I have to make. I'll call the roll so that everyone will recognize everyone else."
"Tokio Takagi, 2-A."
A petite and slender girl stepped forward. Her skin looked like it was made out of porcelain, tinged with a faint blush on her cheeks. Misao gulped at the competition.
"Tae Sekihara, 3-C."
A tall girl raised her hand in acknowledgement, giggling and smiling. She had such a pleasant smile on her face that Misao couldn't help but smile back. Didn't the judges want girls with pleasing personalities? Another contender. Misao clenched her fists tightly.
"Megumi Takani, 3-A."
A reverent hush fell in the room as all eyes turned to the statuesque senior. Misao's face burned. This was Miss Perfect, the acknowledged goddess of Meiji High with her beauty and brains. But what galled Misao the most was how she always saw Megumi hanging out with Aoshi and Kenshin. The only thing worse about the love of your life not knowing you exist was seeing the love of your life being with someone else. Someone who looked like Megumi. Misao wanted to melt to the floor. There was no way she was going to gain his attention and win now.
"Kamatari … wait a minute," Aoshi growled. "How did this get in here? This is a Miss Meiji High School Pageant, not a drag show. It's for females only."
The person in question winked at Kaoru. Misao felt her friend shudder.
"Next, Shura Kairyu, 1-B."
Misao turned to see a fiery brunette standing there. She looked very athletic and well-built, but Misao could bet that she and Kaoru could take this girl out any time. But still, she had to agree that Shura was very cute in her own way.
"Yumi Komogata, 3-D"
The girl stepped forward, and Misao instantly took in the student's voluptuous form that even their uniform couldn't hide. Her lips were red with lipstick, more than what was allowed by the school. But by the way the male student council members stared at her, Misao assumed that no one would be tattling on Yumi. They all seemed very appreciative of her charms.
"And last, Kaoru Kamiya, 2-B," Aoshi concluded. "Okay, so we have six contestants…"
Wait! He forgot all about her!
"Seven," Misao protested feebly, but no one seemed to have heard her. She wondered what happened to her voice every time she was around the student council president.
"And I'd like to remind all six of you--"
"Seven," Misao repeated, a little louder this time. Everyone turned to look as she waved her application form in the air. How could he forget her? She signed up, didn't she? Her name was right below Kaoru's. Didn't they think she was qualified to join the pageant?
Aoshi turned the full force of his blue-eyed stare at her. "And your name is…?"
Misao felt Kaoru poke her side. "Uh, Misao Makimachi. 2-B. I just signed up, and…"
"I'm truly sorry about the mix-up, Misao-san," Aoshi told her, and that was enough to send her brain swooning for the next ten seconds. She came back to her senses when Kaoru gave her another poke.
"What?" she cried out.
"He's giving us the rules of the contest, so you'd better pay attention," Kaoru whispered. "After all, this is your idea, remember?"
"…In conclusion, I'd like to thank all six girls…"
"Seven," Misao and Kaoru corrected at the same time.
"..Seven girls," Aoshi said, without missing a beat. "Good luck to you. We've printed out a schedule of rehearsals for you and other guidelines you might be interested in." He called their names one at a time as he handed out the schedule. "Tokio-san…Tae-san…Megumi-san…Shura-san…Yumi-san… Kaoru-san."
As he stopped and turned away from the crowd, everyone chorused, "Misao-san!"
Aoshi looked directly at her. "No, I didn't forget."
He handed Misao the schedule, and Misao closed her eyes slightly, trying to savor being so close to him. But a moment later, he turned away, signalling the end of the meeting. Both student council members and participants alike walked out of the office, talking in pairs or groups. Misao noticed in particular that Megumi left with Kenshin in tow. At least she's not with my Aoshi, Misao thought.
She waited until Aoshi had left before dragging Kaoru out of the room squealing, "Did you see that? Aoshi gazed at me with his enchanting blue eyes."
Kaoru sweatdropped and muttered, "Ano… Misao-chan, I don't think gaze is the right word for that."
"Oh, come on, Kaoru! He even said, 'no, I didn't forget.' I will never forget those four words he sang to my ears," she swooned.
Kaoru rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say, Misao. As long as you're happy."
"Hello, Misao!" a soft cheerful voice called out from behind.
Misao turned around, her smile not leaving her face as she greeted, "Hi there Sou-chan! What's up?"
"Oh nothing. I just wanted to see your smile," he replied casually, giving her a slight smile.
Misao sighed audibly, totally oblivious to the fact that Soujiro had just complimented her as she continued to chant mentally the four words that Aoshi told her. 'No, I didn't forget.' 'No, I didn't forget.'
Cutting off Misao's trail of thoughts, he asked curiously, "Misao-chan, why are you so happy?"
Her eyes widened at his observation as she squeaked, "Am I that transparent?"
"It's just that your smile is more dazzling today and your eyes are glittering of happiness," he replied sincerely.
Closing her eyes, she recalled how Aoshi stared at her earlier causing her to giggle slightly. She looked back at Soujiro and shrugged. "I guess so."
Kaoru observed the exchange of the two with a knowing smile. So, Soujiro has the hots for Misao. It's like he doesn't even know I am here. She tapped her foot slightly to catch their attention.
Both Misao and Soujiro glanced at her quizzically.
Oops! Maybe I shouldn't have done that.
Kaoru grinned shyly, waved her hands in front of her and said, "Oh nothing!!! Misao, I think I better get going."
Misao's eyes widened as she protested, "I thought that we were supposed to walk home together?"
"Ano… I forgot… I have to run some errands," she lied. Sorry, Misao. This is for your own good.
"Don't worry, Misao-chan, I'll walk you home," Soujiro offered, stepping closer to her.
"Yeah, why don't you let him walk you home?" Kaoru cut in almost too eagerly.
Misao glanced at both of them and shrugged. "All right. Kaoru, call me later, okay?"
Kaoru nodded as she sauntered through the hallway. Misao watch her best friend's retreating figure before she faced Soujiro. "You know, you really don't have to walk me home."
Soujiro smiled at her, offered to take her books and said, "I know I don't have to, but I want to."
At that, Misao beamed at him gratefully.
As they started to walk towards the exit door, Soujiro asked, looking straight into her eyes, "So why are you so happy?"
Misao sighed dreamily as she began, "Well, it all started when…"
~~~~~
Modified Love Rule #4: All's fair in love, war … and beauty contests."So what do you think of the competition, Ken-san?" Megumi purred at Kenshin, using her favorite nickname for him as they walked out of the student council room.
"A fine crop of delectable beauties," Sano interrupted before Kenshin could reply.
She glared at Sano. "I wasn't talking to you, rooster-head." She turned to Kenshin smiling sweetly now. "So, do you know any of those other girls, Ken-san?"
"I know Tae-san and Tokio-san. And I definitely know Yumi," Sano answered.
"Do you think I'll win against them?" she pressed on, looking at Kenshin and pointedly ignoring Sano.
"Get ready to hand that crown over, kitsu--" Sano began to say.
But Megumi had had enough. "That's it, Sanosuke! Shut up! I don't recall asking for your opinion!"
"Now, now," Kenshin said, finally managing to get a word into the conversation. His calm tone broke through Megumi's momentary fury and Sano's relentless teasing. Megumi wondered what it was about Kenshin that allowed him to do that and still get away with it. "I think that Megumi-san still has a fair chance of winning. After all, she's just as smart and pretty as the other girls, don't you agree, Sano?"
Sano rubbed the back of his head. "Uh, yeah, I guess," he mumbled.
Kenshin looked at Megumi with a smile. "See, Sano thinks you're beautiful."
"Hey, that's not what I said!" Sano protested. But Megumi was quick to note the blush that darkened his tanned features.
She turned her face away so that neither boy could see her expression. Strange, but why was it that Sano's opinion of her made her heart pound this way? Megumi shook her head. She liked Kenshin, not that idiotic rooster-head, despite the fact that he had an impressive grasp of physics than he let on. Despite the fact that he had a killer smile that bordered on being devilishly dangerous. Despite the fact that his warm brown eyes held more depth than she could ever imagine. Despite the –
"No!" she told herself firmly, trying to erase all thoughts of Sano. Bad mind! Bad!
"What did you say, Megumi-san?" Kenshin asked.
"No, uh, no --" Megumi's voice trailed off as she racked her brains for something to say. "No one else thinks that way so he's probably still kidding," she finished with a weak smile. Duh. Even that sounded lame to her ears. As both guys stared at her, trying to follow her train of thought, she grabbed Kenshin's arm. "Come on, we'd better get going now. See you tomorrow, rooster-head!" she called out, not bothering to look back, a little afraid of what she would see on his face.
"Uh, well, goodbye, Sagara-kun," Kenshin added, allowing Megumi to lead him away.
Finally. Alone with Kenshin. Megumi sighed with relief. Maybe now would be a good time to—
"Ah, Kenshin Himura, there you are!" They both turned to see Principal Anji hurrying towards them. The principal was a large man who looked stern and forbidding, but who actually had a soft spot for kids. Megumi groaned silently. Another opportunity ruined.
Both Megumi and Kenshin bowed formally as Principal Anji huffed towards them. "I'm glad I caught you, Himura. Remember our agreement early this afternoon?"
Kenshin shrugged apologetically at Megumi. "The principal has asked me to watch over a few guys in detention. I'm sorry, Megumi-san. I completely forgot about it."
"Well, then, I'll see you tomorrow," Megumi said as sweetly as she could manage. She watched as the principal led Kenshin away, a little dismayed at how the afternoon had turned out.
But Megumi had a strange feeling that someone was looking at her. She turned back, just in time to see a familiar tall figure with spiky brown hair disappear around a corner. Her forehead crinkled. Had he been watching all the time? But why?
Then another movement caught her eye. This time, a female stepped out from behind a school column, staring straight at Megumi. In the distance, she couldn't tell the expression on the girl's face, but Megumi could immediately tell who it was.
Kaoru Kamiya.
Author's Notes:
Sorry if Kaoru sounded like Akane in the earlier chap, we did it for a purpose to serve as an unusual introduction to Kenshin and Kaoru's relationship. She won't be OOC in the entire fic, just that chapter.
About Soujiro, he's in this chapter now. Saitoh, Shishio and the others are coming soon. Hehehe…
Reviews, comments, suggestions, constructive criticisms are welcome! ^_^