Standard Disclaimers Apply.

Chapter Four

Princess Rule #3:A lady must always maintain the proper decorum at all times.

Megumi's eyes never left Kaoru's face, carefully measuring her rival. She was a simple beauty, nothing immediately eye-catching, but still there was something about her that made the onlooker stop and take a second glance.

Her hair was caught up in a messy ponytail. Minus five points.

And her uniform was so dirty, it looked like she had just come from some brawl. Minus seven points.

And the way she stood was atrocious! She must have taken lessons from gunslingers in those old Westerns. Minus ten – no, fifteen – points!

Did this girl really think that she could win the Miss Meiji High Pageant? Heaven forbid. Sure, she was pretty. And sure, maybe she knew how trade with the European Union could affect the Japanese economy. And sure, maybe she could twirl twenty flaming batons while dancing La Vida Loca. But a true beauty queen knew the importance of appearances. No matter how brilliant or talented you were, you at least had to have a modicum of poise and grace.

Megumi smiled. No contest.

But there was something in Kaoru's blue eyes that were faintly challenging, and Megumi realized that this wasn't just about the beauty contest. Her fox ears popped in amusement. Was this girl interested in her Kenshin? She probably was, or else she wouldn't have been watching them all this time. Megumi nodded to herself. It had to be Kenshin, because there was no way this girl had her eye on that loud-mouthed rooster head Sano. The thought made her insides turn.

"Megumi-san," Kaoru acknowledged her formally.

Megumi was surprised, but returned the greeting in the same vein it was given. "Kaoru-san. I'll see you tomorrow, then."

The other girl just nodded.

A challenge was issued. And it was accepted. There was an art to fighting with other girls that Megumi was grateful for, a subtle battle of wits that spoke of schemes and sarcasm and underhanded digs. She was going to like going against this Kamiya girl, one who didn't seem to be afraid of anything. Megumi had to respect her for that.

Things were going to get very interesting.

~~~

Megumi meant to go to cram school afterwards but when she saw the guidelines and schedule that Aoshi had handed them, she had to cancel. Listed under Criteria for Judging, in big bold letters, was the word "Talent."

Now Megumi knew she was brilliant. She knew that she excelled in a lot of different fields. It's just that those skills weren't exactly the type that showed well on stage, not like acting out an excerpt from Romeo and Juliet or playing Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 on a grand piano. She couldn't very well demonstrate how to make a proper arm sling or lecture on the advantages of acupuncture now, could she?

Damn that Aoshi. How could he do this to her? Why couldn't he just raise the percentage for Wit and Charm and leave it at that?

Last year things were different. The student council had organized the show a little too late in the year, and there was no time for a talent competition – it took up so much of the pageant's time and there weren't enough volunteers to fix the stage and props for the contestants. So she didn't worry about it then and coasted to an easy victory.

Megumi carefully read the rules. "Contestants are required to give a talent presentation within the four to eight minutes allotted to them."

She squared her shoulders. She wasn't going to let a little hindrance get in her way. Megumi Takani never gave up. If that meant she had to learn how to backflip across the stage, then by Kami that's what she'd do.

Come to think of it, gymnastics didn't sound like such a bad idea. She always had excellent grades for PE. Her teachers always praised her for her grace and coordination.

An idea formed in her head.

Megumi looked both ways. She was only a few houses away from her home, and the street was strangely deserted. Now's her chance to try if it would work. Nothing fancy, she assured the more logical part of her brain, just a little cartwheel. She had done that before in PE class. And she had the entire street to herself. This was one of the rare times that she was grateful that her neighbors were senile; most of them slept the afternoon away and wouldn't be around to see her. Something about her little confrontation with Kaoru Kamiya inflamed her usual cool demeanor. Megumi gently placed her books down on the sidewalk and raised her arms. She took a deep breath.

And cartwheeled.

But there was something different from doing a cartwheel on a gym mat and doing it on an actual sidewalk. The concrete bit into her hands, making it difficult for her to focus on her landing. Plus, she had completely forgotten that she was in her school uniform, not gym shorts.

She ended up on her butt.

As she gingerly picked herself up from the ground, she heard the distinct sound of someone clapping. "Nice work, fox."

Megumi's eyes narrowed as she dusted herself clean, trying to regain her dignity.  "Sanosuke Sagara. What are you doing here?"

Sano swaggered up to her, hands in his pockets and a wide grin on his lips. "Wanted to stop you from doing anything crazy but it looks like I'm too late."

"I didn't ask for your help, anyway," Megumi shot back, stomping off to her house. Why was it that he always seemed to get the better of her?

"Oi, fox, I'm serious," Sano called out. "Are you okay?"

She didn't bother to answer. Or look back. She didn't want to see the mocking look in his eyes.

If she had, she would have been surprised to see the brief flash of hurt flickered there.

~~~

Beauty Rule #3: Never trust a man's opinion when shopping.

Misao was pleased that she had a friend like Soujiro. When she asked him to accompany her to the mall to look for an evening gown for the pageant, he just smiled and said, "Doesn't look like I have much of a choice."

He was so right.

Misao strode into a classy boutique with Soujiro in tow. She knew that the clothes here were way beyond her price range, but a girl could dream, couldn't she? There was a slinky black off-the-shoulder number that looked great on the mannequin on the store window – elegant and sophisticated. Exactly the kind of look she wanted to project if she wanted to get Aoshi.

"Don't you think that dress is a stunner?" she asked Soujiro.

He nodded enthusiastically. "Hai."

"Do you think I should try it on?" she continued. When he gave her another nod, Misao turned to the saleslady and asked for her size. It was great that she brought Soujiro along. They were of the same mind when it came to fashion.

Misao headed for the dressing room and proceeded to pull the dress on. She frowned at her reflection. The gown clung to her hips and legs, emphasizing curves she never realized she had. Unfortunately, it was still loose in the top. Plus, she would need a strapless bra to go with it. Correction – make that a padded strapless bra.

She pushed the curtain aside and modeled for Soujiro, placing one hand at her waist. "What do you think?"

He smiled. To him, Misao's eyes sparkled and her skin looked luminous. "Very pretty."

But Misao was seeing herself from another angle, and it didn't seem like this dress was such a good choice, despite what Soujiro said. The black color made her skin look extremely pale, like the underbelly of a fish. She scanned the racks for a different dress. "I'm not too sure about this one," she told Soujiro and the saleslady. "What about that one?" she asked, pointing to a short red chiffon dress.

Both of them nodded in approval.

So back to the dressing room Misao went, this time to try the red dress. It was a departure from the black sheath, as the skirt whirled above her knees in a light, floating manner. There was a matching chiffon scarf that she wrapped loosely around her neck.

"Now what do you think?" she announced as she stepped out of the dressing room.

"Wow, you still look amazing," Soujiro complimented her. Her eyes were focused on the rosy glow that the dress had brought to her face.

"You think?" Misao clarified, preening into the mirror. But as she twirled around to get a better view of the dress, the ends of the long scarf got caught in the nearest clothes rack. Misao had to ask Soujiro and the saleslady to help her disentangle herself from the killer scarf. "Thanks," she said, rubbing her neck. "Maybe I should try another one."

The saleslady showed her another dress, right on cue. "What about this one?" This time, it was a pale pink gown with sequins and seed pearls embroidered on the bodice. The design was intricately beautiful, and Misao went back into the dressing room.

She was dressed in record time, sashaying out so Soujiro and the saleslady could get a full view of this new gown. "Great!" her friend exclaimed. "That looks perfect."

"You think so?" Misao murmured, studying her reflection. Then it hit her. The pale pink shade was just slightly darker than her own skin tone so in the dim lights of the dressing room, it had looked fine. But now in the open, Misao realized that she blended into the dress like a chameleon. She herself wasn't sure where her skin ended and where the dress began. She looked almost naked.

She blushed at the thought, instantly embarrassed. She raced for the dressing room. "Next!"

~~~

After a while, the truth hit Misao. Something was wrong with Soujiro.

He just agreed with everything she said, with every dress she tried on. She put on a green velvet dress with puffed sleeves and he said she looked exquisite. She thought it made her look like a kid playing dress-up. She tried on a shimmering gold gown and he said it was fantastic. She felt like she was trying out for a role in a Cher MTV. She went for a white Grecian-style gown and he said that she looked very classy. When she checked herself out in the mirror, Misao felt like she had just wrapped herself in her mother's old terry cloth towel.

She took back everything she said – Soujiro was no help at all.

They moved to another store, and still it was the same routine. He thought every dress she wore was beautiful. "Look, Soujiro, are you tired of this?" she asked him in a kind and honest tone, when they finished their fourth store. "If you don't want to help me, just tell me and I'll get Kaoru to do this some other time."

"But I'm fine," he protested, still smiling. "I like to help you out."

"Then why do you keep saying that I look fine in every dress I wear?" she cried out, frustrated.

Soujiro's eyes softened. "Because you are."

Days like this, Misao was convinced the guy was on drugs.

Then she saw it. The perfect dress. It called to her like a light from heaven had just shone down on it, accompanied by a rousing angelic choir singing Handel's Messiah. Misao rushed to the rack, took the dress off its hanger, then dove for the nearest dressing room.

When she came out, she knew she had it. Soujiro was speechless, his mouth hanging slightly open as he gaped at her.

Misao knew she hit big time with this dress. It was definitely the kind that called people's attention and kept it. The dress was a shocking orange color. The bodice was trimmed with layers and layers of ruffles. Ruffles – Misao had read in an article a long time ago – gives the impression that a flat chest is larger than it really is. From the thin straps of the gown hung bits of feather, making her feel like she was an exotic tropical bird. The hemline stopped a few inches below her knees, showing her legs to her advantage.

Soujiro was absolutely dumbstruck. She couldn't believe the hideous dress Misao had on. "M-M-Misao-chan…"

Misao preened privately. Soujiro looked positively amazed at her transformation. Her friend must be so surprised to find out that with the right dress, even she could look so beautiful. And if this dress could do that to him, imagine what it will to do Aoshi.

She turned to the saleslady, who mirrored the expression on Soujiro's face. Misao reached for her purse. "I'll take it."

~~~

Love Rule #5: When Prince Charming comes to visit, give him a dose of something he'll never forget.

Kaoru frowned at her reflection in the mirror. She had come home straight from school, and had dumped all her nice clothes on the bed and all her make-up on her vanity table. So many things had happened in that exhausting day that she knew she deserved some R&R. But as she changed out of her uniform, she cast a disappointed look at her stuff. This is all I have to beautify myself? she asked herself in worry. Just a couple of decent dresses and kimonos, and one barely-used tube of lip gloss. Plus some face powder that had turned flaky from months of not being used.


She sighed. Maybe this pageant was a lot more trouble than it was really worth.

Unknown to her, Kenshin walked towards the house on the corner, checking the number on the mailbox number twice. He had sneaked back into the student council office after guarding detention just to get his hands on the application forms the candidates had filled out. This is the place, he reassured himself.

It took Kenshin Himura, a popular Senior, a campaign manager, a newspaper editor, much courage to visit this certain fiery Kenjutsu shihondai in the first place so he didn't want to ruin his momentum by knocking on the wrong door.

Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand to knock as he called out, "Kamiya Residence?"

"Yes?" Kaoru replied from the inside. Who could it be? she wondered as she bolted out of her room. Hmmm… it's too late for the mailman. She ran down the stairs unbolted a couple of locks and opened the door to receive her visitor.

 "Kenshin!" she exclaimed wide-eyes as she gaped at the gorgeous red-head in front of her. She stammered, "Ano… what are you doing here? Come in! Come in!" she said as she stepped aside to widen the opening.

The editor smiled at her widely as he gawked at the beauty that stood before him. "I… I  came by to interview you for—" Trailing his eyes downwards, he suddenly turned around, blushing furiously and stuttered, "Ano… Kaoru…"

Kaoru looked at him quizzically wondering what caused his uneasiness. She lowered her eyes to where Kenshin trailed his and then suddenly, blood drained from her face.

She was wearing only a bra and undershorts.

"Aaaiiiieee!!! Hentai!!!" she shrieked on top of her lungs as she banged her door shut.

"Oro?"

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! How could you forget that you  were in the middle of dressing when he arrived! Stupid! Stupid! She slapped her head repeatedly as she continued to mutter curses under her breath. Coming to a realization, she gasped, Why did I slam the door on his face? It wasn't his fault that I came down half-naked! Stupid! she mentally reprimanded herself as she fought the urge to bang her head on the wall.

Finding no other alternative, she ran up the stairs and yelled out, "Ano… sorry. Sorry for that. Kenshin, please come in after a few seconds and sit by the couch, I'll be down in a jiffy."

Kenshin nodded, opening the door cautiously. Seeing no half-naked women around, he sighed in relief as he sat on the couch.

Minutes later, Kaoru came down, fully dressed in a loose shirt and shorts. She giggled slightly to break the tension, trying hard to hide the embarrassment that crept up her neck in a blush. "Sorry about that."

"No, I should be the one to apologize," Kenshin said. "Did I come at a bad time?"

"Not at all," she replied as she casually waved her hand. "So, what did you want to interview me about?"

"Well," he began, clearing his throat nervously. "I was writing this feature article for the school paper about the Miss Meiji Beauty Pageant candidates."

"Oh," her face fell. "I thought it was about the kendo varsity team."

Kenshin observed her amusingly as he unconsciously fiddled with his pen.

What is he waiting for? Why doesn't he start with the questions already? And…why is he looking at me that way? Kaoru shifted in her seat awkwardly as she stared back at him, silently challenging his eyes. Trying to break the ice, she asked, "Would you like me to call Misao so that you'll save time?"

"No!" Kenshin answered almost too eagerly. Seeing Kaoru's surprised reaction to his outburst, he coughed, "I mean, no, that won't be necessary." Get a grip, Kenshin! This is just an interview! Quit acting like a nervous school boy. Even if you are.

Silence consumed them once again causing Kaoru to sigh in frustration. This conversation was getting nowhere fast. "All right, would you like to have some snacks then?"

"Uhm, no thanks," he smiled.

"Well, then, ask away," she said bluntly.

"Right, right," Kenshin nodded in embarrassment as he took out his tickler. He closed his eyes to sort out his thoughts before he began, "Why did you join the Miss Meiji Beauty Pageant?"

Kaoru thought for a moment then answered, "I wanted to try something new. Explore my horizons."

Kenshin nodded, signaling her to expound her explanation.

"…Life is short, I always tell myself that. That is why I am not afraid to try new things. Experiences are a good thing, you know." She hoped her answer seemed plausible. She couldn't just tell their newspaper editor that she did it to show the world that she was female, could she?

But Kenshin seemed to believe her because he smiled. "I believe the exact same thing. Next, as a person, what drives you?"

"I would have to say that the strongest driving force inside me are the people around me who loves and supports me. No material thing, fame or title will top that."

"What do you consider as your best physical asset?"

Kaoru blushed at such a personal question. She wasn't used to answering things like this. But since this was for the pageant, she figured it was good practice for the actual event. She looked at him straight in the eyes, hoping he wouldn't see her nervous shyness. "I'm not sure but… I'll have to go for my eyes. Everyone says that my eyes are very expressive and that I cannot hide anything with them. I am a very honest person so… when words aren't enough, I let my eyes do the talking."

At that moment, Kenshin gazed in her eyes, observing them carefully, You're right. You have the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. Penetrating her deep blue pools, he smiled, Tell me, Kaoru. Are your eyes telling me this moment that you also like me or am I just seeing what I want to see?

As if Kaoru heard Kenshin's mental query, she tilted her head to the side waiting for the auburn-haired man to continue with his interview.

"If you were to change anything physically, what would it be?" Not that you need to change anything, Kenshin mentally added as he blushed slightly, recalling the earlier incident that caused him to get a good view of Kaoru's rather voluptuous physique.

"Nothing, I am happy and contented with the way I am," she simply stated, smiling radiantly at her interviewer.

Kenshin smiled back. I'm happy with the way you are too, he thought to himself. Then he shook his head. What the hell am I thinking?  As he tossed his tickler on the desk, a bright idea crossed his mind. He cleared his throat to rid himself of nervousness as he asked, "What is your idea of a perfect date?"

Kaoru was taken aback with his question and it was shown clearly with the pink flush that tainted her cheeks. She looked out on the window and sighed, "I don't know, I guess, I am the type of girl who doesn't need to be taken some place fancy to be impressed…"

But Kaoru, you deserve the best, Kenshin reasoned inwardly.

"…For me, a date will always be perfect as long as I am with the man I love." Kaoru closed her eyes, allowing herself to succumb in a trance that included a certain amethyst- eyed editor across her. "…As long as I am free to hold his hand, to caress his cheeks, to run my fingers on his long tresses, to kiss his soft lips..."

Kenshin sat beside Kaoru as felt himself inching towards her dreamy face. No, I shouldn't kiss her. I shouldn't but… how can I refuse her inviting lips? his mind debated as he neared his lips towards her partially opened mouth.

"…as long as I am free to love him with the entirety of my heart, everything will always be perfect." Just then, Kaoru suddenly snapped her eyes open, almost causing Kenshin a heart attack, as she giggled embarrassingly, "Oops, have I said too much? Can you not include that part?"

Kenshin nodded as he faced the opposite direction to hide his erupting face.  I can't believe I almost kissed her!! What's happening to me!? Cool it, man! Go with your plan. Swallowing a large lump on his throat, he picked up where he left off, "Describe your ideal man."

"Ideal man? My dream guy is someone who will love me for who I really am in the inside. Men claim that they like me... that they love me, even. How am I supposed to believe that when they don't even know me. What they truly love is the challenge. Not me."

Kenshin nodded in agreement as he remember the faces of the members of the Juppongatana.

Closing her eyes, Kaoru recalled the time when Kenshin saved her from Usui as she continued, slightly blushing, "The man I love…"

Wait a minute. She loves? Kaoru is in love!!?

"…is gentle, warm and affectionate. He would be protective at times but he will never undermine my capability to defend myself. He would get to know me, and I, him."

Kenshin's panic subsided when Kaoru opened her soft eyes and gazed at him as she continued, barely whispering, "…I would look deep in his eyes and then my heart would pace rapidly, screaming, he is the one."

Kenshin's heart raced at the realization that her words were directed to him. Seizing the perfect opportunity, he rested his hands on top of Kaoru's. "And if this ideal guy holds your hand, will you allow him?"

Kaoru closed her eyes and smiled, still thinking of her dream guy who now suspiciously had a shock of red hair. "Yes."

With his free hand, he gently touched Kaoru's cheeks and whispered, "And if he caresses your cheeks, will you allow him?"

"Yes."

"And if he run his hands on your soft tresses, will you allow him?"

She nodded as she savored the feeling of his fingers lightly stroking her hair. Smiling inwardly, she thought, he is going to ask if I will allow him to kiss me…

Smiling at her responsiveness, he went for the kill, "If I were to ask you out on a date, would you say yes?"

"Yes," she replied, locking her eyes into his.

"Then let's have dinner now," he said, standing up in sheer excitement.

What the --? As if Kaoru were snapped back to reality, she raised her eyebrows questioningly, "Are you serious?"

"Yes," he replied. "You agreed, right?" he grinned mischievously.

Kaoru stood up to level her eyes with his as she placed her hands on her hips, feigning anger, "Well you tricked me!"

"So, is that a yes?"

"No."

"Is that a no?" he asked taking one of her hands into his.

"No," she stammered, looking down at the floor.

"Then, what is your final answer?" he pressed as his smiled widened, almost reaching his ears.

Kaoru stared at their hands, blushing furiously as she turned around and ran up the stairs, leaving a stunned and confused Kenshin.

"I'll be down in fifteen minutes," she called out from her room. "I know a restaurant named Indulgence that serves great pasta."

At that, Kenshin smiled to himself as he slumped on the couch in contentment. Great work, Ryu!!

Author's Notes:

Sorry is Megumi is a bit OOC. She can't be perfect, right?

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