Chapter 16
A/N- OMG!!!!!!!!! At my current viewing from chapter 15 you guys have given me 96 reviews!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! Thank you and even if I don't get 4 more I'll still always be sooooo grateful for the time, support and you wonderful readers gave me! I am forever in your gratitude! So lots of luv!
Disclaimer- I don't own anything except Kai!
~*~*~
"OUCH!"
"Sorry"
"OW!"
"Sorry"
"ITAI!!"
"Sorry"
"DAMMNIT! IF I WASN'T MORE TRUSTING I WOULD SWEAR YOU WERE TRYING TO TURN ME INTO A PIN CUSHION KAI!" An indignant Megumi yelled at the apologetic musician turned seamstress.
"I'm sorry, but I wouldn't poke you if you didn't wiggle so much!" Kai mumbled over the pins stationed in her mouth. Megumi sighed,
"Kami-sama why did I agree to do this?" She asked looking up into the heavens. A laugh stopped Megumi's plea to the ceiling.
"Oh come on Megumi! It's not like your costume needs huge alterations! Cut Kai some slack she's been working nearly non-stop for two days." Kaoru said trying to calm the rather humorous but enraged doctor.
"Thanks Kaoru-chan." Kai smiled in fatigue.
"Hey what about me! Don't I at least get some sympathy for having to wear this thing?!?!" Megumi demanded waving around the heavily sequined piece of fabric.
"No." Kaoru smiled.
"Well at least I'm not some violent Tanuki girl who couldn't get a man in this kind of dress if she tried! Ohohoho!" Megumi retorted slyly, Kaoru's smile immediately turned into in a fierce scowl.
"WHY YOU-" and the chase was on! Kaoru immediately pounced forward towards Megumi in a blind fury, Megumi on instinct pulled away and then there was a loud RRRRRIIIIIIIPPPPPP!
Everything stopped. Kaoru and Megumi looked toward the solemn Kai who in her hands now clutched the fabric originally attached to the other half of Megumi's dress. All was quiet. Kai stood, taking a quivering deep breath,
"I think I'm going to go to bed for a while."
Kai dropped the piece of cloth, and scuttled into her bedroom, the door closed with a "click" and there was a small "snap". The door had been locked and was followed by the beginning of quiet whimpering.
Kaoru and Megumi looked at each other in stun.
"We're in soooooo much trouble." Kaoru moaned.
~*~*~
The battle had raged on for over half an hour, but Makimachi Misao had managed to come out of the battle as victor!
"HA! Stupid Photocopier! That's what you get trying to mess with Makimachi! HA! HAHA! You think you can beat me? Me, The mistress of all evil! Foolish office appliance! MUWAHAHAHAHA!" Misao laughed in disgust of her opponent's failure to ruin her stack of memos. Glowing with triumph Misao nearly didn't realize that three figures were viewing this very strange conference.
"Ahem" Misao instantly stopped her gloating, swiftly turning in horror to see the noise had come from her boss Himura Kenshin, who was standing with Shinomori Aoshi and another taller well built man.
"Uh Shishou," said Himura directing this hesitant comment at the unknown man, "I want you to meet my new secretary, Makimachi Misao. Misao-dono this is Hiko Seijirou, owner of this company." Misao rapidly felt a queasiness spreading through her stomach.
"N-nice to meet you." Misao greeted meekly to her boss's boss. He merely shrugged and moved out of the room, remarking to Himura as he left,
"She's nearly as strange as you baka-deshi!" The photocopy room was now silent, but still occupied by Misao, Aoshi and the defeated machine.
"Still having difficulty with the photocopier I see." Aoshi spoke making Misao go a darker shade of red.
"H-hai," Misao murmured, gathering her papers, head drooped to hide her embarrassment, "Excuse me while I go hand out these memos and then crawl under a rock and die." Misao quickly rushed passed him pushing a memo into his hand. Aoshi couldn't help but smirk at how cute she always was when she was mortified.
~*~
Misao lightly rapped on Seta Soujirou's office door.
"Come on in!" A constantly happy voice invited.
Misao walked in head still drooped from the previous embarrassment she had just received.
"Oh hi Misao! What brings you to my office?" Soujirou asked with his permanent smile plastered on.
"I'm giving out Himura's memo about the new statistical reports." She replied half-heartedly.
"Great! Hey Misao-san why so glum?" He asked now noticing the lackluster in the girl's reply. Misao frowned deepened.
"It's really embarrassing." She moaned. But, Soujirou egged her to go on,
"You can tell me Misao-san." He said offering her a seat infront of his large polished desk. Misao sighed,
"Well you see, since I've started here I've had trouble with the photocopier-"
"Who hasn't?" Seta added understandingly.
"Exactly. So I finally got it to copy something. And I was excited about it so I started talking to it and then Himura, Aoshi-sama walked in along with Hiko-san* and they saw me yelling at the photocopier." She finished miserably, "It was sooooo embarrassing."
Soujirou only laughed patting the girl on the shoulder,
"There, there, Misao-san, it's nothing to be embarrassed about."
"Nothing to embarrassed about!? Sou-kun I was infront of the owner of the company!!!" She cried out. Soujirou seemed unfazed by this bit of information.
"So? Misao, Hiko-san probably won't even remember this next time you see him. Honestly, just look at Okon and Omasu, whenever he comes to visit they follow him everywhere like lovesick puppies and he still can't remember their names!"
"Really?" Misao asked, eyes now sparkling with amusement. Soujirou smiled saying,
"Oh yeah, like this one time Okon was-" But before he could go into detail the door opened revealing the very same secretary.
"Speak of the devil." Misao laughed feeling much better.
"Yes Okon?" Soujirou inquired smile never leaving his face.
"Oh I'm looking for Misao-chan, Misao there's a urgent call for you on line 3."
"Thanks" Misao said as Okon strode off to most likely stalk her Hiko-sama.
"Here Misao-san use my phone." Soujirou offered, as Misao was about to leave. Misao grinned,
"Oh thanks Sou-kun!" She said lifting the receiver to her face and pressing the "line 3" button.
"Moshi, Moshi Makimachi Misao speaking." She spoke with her newly regained genki-ness
"Misao-chan!" Misao immediately identified the caller as Kaoru.
"Oh hey Kaoru-chan, what's up?"
"It's Kai!" Kaoru sounded panicked.
"What about Kai?" Misao asked with concern. Immediately Soujirou's ears perked up.
"Well, you see Megumi and I got into a fight when Kai was trying to sow the dress, and it sort of ripped! So Kai said she was going to bed for a while and now she's locked the door and she won't come out!" Misao could her Megumi's pleas for Kai to unlock the door in the background.
"This is not good." Misao said frowning.
"What are we supposed to do? She won't come out and we have to perform tonight!" Kaoru cried over the phone.
"I'll take off work and get there as soon as I can. She hasn't been like this since she found out the Monkees didn't write their own songs." She sighed.
"But isn't Monkees an old sixties band?" Kaoru questioned curiously.
"Yeah, but she was never told that the singer and the drummer were really actors. She was crushed."
"Oh poor Kai, I don't suppose she gets upset often does she?" Misao smiled woefully at this question,
"Nope, that's why it's so hard to get her to snap out of it."
"Well then you better get over here quick!" Kaoru cried.
"Right." Misao said with determination, hanging up the phone.
"What's Up?" Soujirou asked hoping to hear anything about the lovely Kai.
"Oh my friend Kai is having one of her rare mental break downs. You know how creative types are-"
"Well we must go immediately and help her!" Soujirou said gallantly, "I'll drive you- Oh dear I don't have my car." Soujirou said, to Misao's astonishment nearly frowning, "But we must find someone to drive us so we can help Kai-san!" He said beaming. 'Yep Kai's definitely hooked another one' Misao thought ruefully.
"Could Himura drive us?" Misao thought. Soujirou shook his head,
"He's too busy waiting hand and foot for Hiko-san."
"Okon?"
"Nope, too busy stalking Hiko-san. Same goes for Omasu I suppose." They both went silent with contemplation.
"How about Aoshi-sama?" Misao piped out. Soujirou seemed a little skiddish about this idea,
"Uh. I don't think Shinomori-san really enjoys driving people around in his car." He said trying to detour Misao from Shinomori Aoshi's icy refusal.
"Oh don't be silly Sou-kun! Of course he will!" She said completely sure of herself.
~*~*~
At times like these Aoshi was glad that he wasn't in Himura's position of successor to the company. He had to give it to Hiko, that man really knew how to bust Kenshin's chops. Of course it still meant a difficult day for Aoshi, but not nearly as bad as Kenshin's. Aoshi had to buzz around the office doing Himura's job while he had his hands full with Hiko. By the time Aoshi had got into his office his arms were full with files and photos.
Aoshi sat down with inaudible sigh, pushing his fingers through his black hair. He looked ruefully at the pile.
'No rest for the wicked' He thought. But the moment he opened the cream folder there was a light rapping on his large oak doors.
"Yes." He said in his most stern tone, getting a bit exasperated with all today's interruptions. In through the door popped in the smiling face of Misao, who seemed to have fully recovered from her embarrassing escapade, she hopped through the door, followed by a bashful Soujirou wearing a hestitant smile.
'Now what's this?' He asked himself disregarding the twinge of jealousy he felt at seeing the two together.
"Seta." He said giving a curt nod, receiving one back in reply. Then Aoshi turned back into the file.
"Aoshi-sama?" He looked up at Misao. 'Oh no' a little voice moaned in his head. Misao had her big puppy-dog eyes and was holding her hands at her chest.
"Aa" Aoshi merely replied, knowing that whatever Misao was going to ask he wouldn't like.
"Aoshi-sama, do you think you could possibly, oh pretty please, drive Sou- kun and me back to the apartment. Oh pretty pretty please with a cherry on top?"
'Her and SOU-KUN back to the apartment eh? Absolutely not!' That same voice yelled in his head, which he had the tendency to agree with completely.
"I'm sorry Misao." He said trying not to look into her big dewy eyes, "but I have a lot of work to do-" CRAP! Aoshi had looked up. There was Misao wide wet eyes, and she had even added the lip quiver. Aoshi was falling like a house of cards. If there was one thing could not stand for was Misao crying. "Maybe later." Oh he was sinking fast and Misao hadn't even uttered a single word yet.
'Come on Aoshi boy! Don't let a pair of eyes get to ya! Be stern, just say NO'
"Aoshi-sama." Misao whimpered. The next moment Aoshi found himself rising out of his seat, keys jangling in his hand.
"THANK YOU AOSHI-SAMA!" Misao smiled, giving Aoshi a big hug that he couldn't help but melt a little at.
'Wuss' His mind snapped.
To Seta Soujirou though, Aoshi looked completely calm. Soujirou had never been so amazed in his life,
'How'd she do that?' He internally questioned, tilting his head at the little snip of girl gripping on to the monolith like businessman's arm.
~*~*~
"HAVE NO FEAR! MAKIMACHI MISAO IS HERE!" Misao announced busting through the door, with both Aoshi and Soujirou in tow.
Both Kaoru and Megumi sighed in relief. Immediately Misao rolled up her sleeves and took on the air of a general.
"KAORU! I need B&J's stat!" She order, eyes in cold flame that demanded respect.
"B&J?" Kaoru asked shamefully, not knowing what the hell B&J stood for.
"Ben and Jerry's! The ice cream! Go down to the corner store and get the chocolate chip kind with those cookie dough chunks!"
"For Kai right?" It is a well-known fact that any woman in mourning enjoys devouring a whole tub of ice cream.
"OF COURSE NOT! Kai's lactose intolerant! It's for me! NOW GO! SCAMP!" Misao slapped some yen notes into her hand and herded the stunned Kamiya out of the door.
"MEGUMI!" Megumi quickly stood at attention, "Go to the Fabric store, and grab all the red sequins and red thread you can! Now GO!" Megumi was actually a bit relieved that she got sent out. She did not particularly want to stay in the apartment with Misao in her 'Little Miss Military' mode.
Misao took long quick strides towards her and Kai's bedroom door. But instead of futilely trying to pick the lock like Megumi and Kaoru had, Misao simply started to tap an unrecognizable rhythm on the door. A second later there was a click and the door opened into the darkened room. Misao smiled triumphantly, but paused before entering. She turned towards Aoshi and Soujirou, frowning,
"Well don't just stand there! Sou-kun! Go and stall Sano! Make sure he doesn't step foot in the club or this apartment OR ELSE!" She shook a menacing fist. Soujirou gulped. Then Misao's frown turned to a pleading smile, "OH Aoshi-sama, could you please make sure that all the instruments get into the club okay? Himura was supposed to but I think he's a little held up with Hiko-san." Misao fluttered her eyelashes and wet her eyes.
"Misao." Aoshi started to object but Misao just smiled and winked at him.
"Thanks so much Aoshi-sama!" She slipped through the door and snapped it shut leaving both men standing in the deserted apartment thinking the same thought.
'How does she do it?'
~*~*~
Seta Soujirou was now standing infront of apartment 10B directly across apartment 10A. From what Seta had seen of Sano, he could come to the conclusion that Sano, 1 enjoyed booze, 2 enjoyed women and 3 enjoyed women and booze together. From what Seta knew about himself, he could draw the conclusion that, 1 he couldn't handle his booze, 2 he couldn't handle any sort of female and 3 he most definitely couldn't handle them together.
So how in Kami-sama's name was Soujirou going to keep Sagara Sanosuke preoccupied?
Just as Soujirou was about to knock on the door it swung open, revealing a regularly disheveled Sano himself. He looked a bit surprise at Seta's presence, but shook it off and shot a grin back at the ever-smiling businessman.
"Hey! It's.Seta.right? Hey come on in buddy! Let me guess, you're here to wish me a happy birthday right?"
"uh.yah that's it" Soujirou replied hestitantly. Then a wave of miracle genius hit Seta Soujirou,
"I also came over to ask for your expertise." Seta smiled thinking 'Flattery will get you everywhere'
"Oh yeah what can I help you with?" Sano asked in mock humbleness.
"I need help with women." At this statement Sano gave a knowing smile and put his arm around the small man.
"Then you have come to the right man young grasshopper."
~*~*~
When Kaoru and Megumi arrived back at the apartment to their amazement they saw Kai sitting on the couch stitching up the dress with a warm smile on her face. Both women were beyond bewildered.
"Uh hi Kai." Kaoru probed unsurely, praying that Kai wouldn't bolt and lock herself in her room again. Kai turned around and waved.
"Oh hey guys! Put that stuff down, I'm nearly done and I need to fit you guys!" She smiled kindly at them.
Megumi and Kaoru were still extraordinarily stunned.
"Look Kai we're both really sorry about what happened today-"
"OH! Don't worry about I was just a bit stressed out and all, but I'm good now!"
Just then the door to Kai and Misao's bedroom swung open revealing Misao in full costume. Kai clapped with glee,
"Wow Misao you look great!" She laughed. Misao struck a pose pursing her lips like a model and said,
"I don't look too bad if I do say so myself." Megumi and Kaoru were both inclined to agree. The costume consisted of an asymmetrical white top with one suspender on her exposed shoulder and another hanging limply, clipped to her pinstriped shorts and to bring it all together Misao wore a caddy hat on her head.
"It's my version of 1920's meets the 21st century!" Kai laughed, "So who wants try theirs on next?" Kaoru quickly snatched hers up and went to change.
"Oh! Megumi, I made you another costume to change into after your song is done. I thought you might like one since the dress is a little -uh binding." Megumi was yet again surprised.
"Thank you Kai. That's very thoughtful of you." Megumi felt terrible about giving Kai all that flack before hand.
"Think nothing of it." Kai winked handing Megumi her costume.
Kaoru then made her entrance.
"I'm not crazy about skirts but I'm loving this one!" She laughed giving a twirl. Kaoru was wearing a pin stripe skirt and a double-breasted pinstriped jacket just like the big mob bosses would wear back in the day, "How did you manage to make everyone a costume in such short time?" Kaoru asked in amazement.
"It was pretty simple," Misao cut in, "I bought two full piece suits and Kai cut them up and made them into the costumes, we just added some shirts and hats to complete them."
Megumi's costume consisted of a white tank top, black tie and the pinstriped trousers from the suits.
"Can't I just wear this when I'm on stage?" Megumi asked casually to cover her desperation to get out of wearing the red sequined dress.
"NO" all the girls chimed sweetly in reply.
"Finished!" Kai smiled holding up her costume consisting of the suit's vest and pants cropped to look like flood pants. Kai added a Fedora on top to give it authenticity.
"Looks like we're ready to rock and roll" She said proudly.
~*~*~
For about the 123rd time that day Kenshin let out an exasperated sigh. Days with his Shishou could try even a monk's patience. At the present Kenshin was playing chauffeur to his teacher/boss. He was playing this role at the threat of Hiko "leaking out" baby photos of the red head. Normally Kenshin wouldn't care if these pictures came out, it had happened before and he still had the limited respect of his co-workers. But this time he buckled at Hiko's black mail at the thought of Misao getting her hands on it and then showing it Kaoru. The only thing that would be even MORE embarrassing than that would be Shishou himself going up to Kaoru and telling her about Kenshin's childhood bed wetting. Kenshin shuddered violently at the idea.
"Baka-deshi can we get there any faster? I'm nearly out of this crappy sake you gave me!" Hiko harped from the back.
"But Shishou I gave that to you five minutes ago!" Kenshin said sweat dropping
"Never mind that! Just drive! Where are we going to any way?"
"I thought I could take you to the Seikihoutai Club-" Kenshin's eyes immediately widened in realization and horror. He knew he had forgotten something important! But not as important as the promise he had made to Kaoru to make sure that all the rented instruments got in the club alright. And the girls were due to go on stage in half an hour! Kenshin was quick in his actions. Whipping out his cellphone and pressing the number for apartment 10A that just happened to be on his speed dial.
"Moshi Moshi! You've reached the sex pad of four incredibly lovely ladies." Kenshin identified the voice as Megumi.
"Ah konnichi wa Megumi-dono. Could sessha possibly speak with Kaoru-dono please?"
"Ohohohoho! Kaoru-chan eh? Sure thing Ken-san!" Megumi said with an insinuative tone, "HEY KAORU IT'S YOUR PRINCE CHARMING ON THE PHONE!" Megumi called and Kenshin instantly blushed.
"Shut up Megumi! He'll hear you! Moshi Moshi Kaoru speaking!" Kaoru's voice chimmed over the phone. Kenshin pulled at his collar a little nervous at how to tell the girl whom he was so smitten with that he had just blown her performance for her boss's birthday.
"Konnichi wa Kaoru-dono. This unworthy one was just calling to apologize."
"Kenshin! Don't call yourself that! And apologize about what?" Kaoru said in the tender voice he loved.
"Sessha forgot to make sure the instruments arrived at the club alright! Sessha is sooo sorry for letting you down-" Kenshin wanted to go on with his plea for forgiveness but Kaoru cut him off.
"Oh Kenshin your so sweet! Don't worry about it Misao got Aoshi to handle it! She said you were really tied up with your boss," she giggled, but then her voice turned to concern, "You'll be able to make it for Sano's party right?" Kenshin could feel a warm smile spread across his face.
"Of course Kaoru-dono I haven't missed one of your performances yet and I don't plan too!" Kenshin reassured her in his soft loving voice.
"O-oh,That's great! Well I have to go but I'll see you later! Bye Kenshin!"
"Bye Kaoru-dono." Kenshin turned his phone off peering into the rear view window at his Shishou who was grinning widely.
"Well, well! Kenshin I think you owe me an explanation as to who exactly this 'Kaoru-dono' is."
Kenshin again sighed miserably.
~*~*~
Soujirou sat partly horrified and partly intrigue as he watched the taller man go into detail about his many encounters with members of the opposite sex.
"Now one thing girls love is confidence and indifference!" Sano went on into explanation arms flying around as he spoke, " The ladies don't want a guy who'll drool all over them and turn into jelly whenever the show up!" Soujirou nodded in agreement. Hey! Who knows? Soujirou might even learn something while he was keeping Sagara busy.
"The ladies want a man with sex appeal and no showing desire for them! Women want what they can't have! They want the challenge!" Sano declared, going on to say, "And that's what us men have to give them! Look at Myself, Kenshin and even Shinomori! We play the suave and uninterested not the lost puppy act-"
"What about Himura? As I do recall hearing, he fainted at the sight of Kamiya-san after I had passed out." Soujirou questioned. Sano stopped, a bit puzzled himself, then snapped his fingers, the answer dawning on him,
"See the thing with Kenshin is that he doesn't mean to be indifferent to women but he is! Kenshin has an inferiority complex when it comes to women. Especially the ones' he really likes! He'll stay away from them because he thinks he's unworthy of them, making him all that more desirable because they think he's not interested!"
"But Himura regularly goes to get Coffee at the Akabeko just because Kamiya- san is there." Soujirou was becoming a little confused and unfortunately so was Sano,
"Errr. Uh! What about you Seta? You got any ladies you wanna snag?" Soujirou automatically blushed at Sano's comment, who had now given the young man a knowing smile.
"So who is she? Hmmm probably one of the girls from next door! Better not be the Kitsune Onna-" Soujirou's eye's widened in intrigue as he heard Takani-sensei's name said in Sano's mumbling. Seta would have inquired about the mention of the doctor but before he could his phone rang shrilly. Sano stopped his muttering realizing that his guest could hear what he was saying and Soujirou answered the phone.
"Moshi Moshi, Seta here!" He chirped. "Bring Sano To The Bar." A menacing female voice demanded before hanging up. Soujirou blinked a little and so did Sano.
"What was that about?" The taller male asked trying to cover his curiousity. Soujirou began to trip over his words trying to find a proper reply, but opted instead to say,
"Er.Telemarketer! Say let's go finish this coversation at the bar! I could really use a drink and you could even demonstrate how to win over the ladies!" Seta proposed, amazed at his quick thinking. Sano scratched his chin in consideration before saying,
"Sure! Why not? Let the master show you how it's done! And besides I could use a good drink myself!"
Soujirou smiled to himself as Sano got on his coat.
'All is falling into place'
~*~*~
'This isn't the greatest birthday of my life, but I've most definitely had worse.' Sano thought to himself while heading towards his club.
Sano had woken to find the apartment deserted and the door to the girls' apartment was locked.
After a whole day of doing nothing, hee had decided that he would go and kick the girls' door in because he could hear Misao barge into the apartment a little while before. But when Sano tried to put this decision into action, he came face to face with Kenshin's co-worker on his front doorstep. Sano had to admit he was pretty flattered that Seta had come to him for woman advice, because Seta sooooo obviously needed it.
Sano would be able to help the guy out once in the Seikihoutai about how to really get the ladies, but when he walked in to the club he found it completely.
"OI! WHO THE HELL TURNED OUT THE LIGHTS?" He cried out dumbly. Immediately the houselights came blazing to life and over a hundred voices chorused together,
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANO!"
Sano was shocked to say the least. He looked back at Seta who was grinning widely (par usual) and realized the he had been a decoy.
But wow what a surprise!
He hadn't even thought of someone pulling this right under his nose in his own club!
"Wow," Sano started rubbing his hand behind his head, "You guys did all this for me?"
Kenshin appeared out of the crowd of people, wearing his inviting grin,
"Of course! Come on Sano. The girls have prepared a special birthday set just for you! We saved you a seat in the front." Kenshin said pulling the birthday boy through the crowd of well-wishers.
"Really? What is it?" Sano said trying to mask his giddy and excitement.
"I don't really know myself. They wouldn't let me come into their dressing room before the show." Kenshin replied a tinge regretfully. They came to their seats and Sano spotted Seta sitting over at the table with Shinomori, who surprisingly gave a small nod of recognition to Sano.
Sano ordered himself a drink as the girls stepped out on stage. And Sano had to admit he liked the gangster costumes of theirs, they were very fitting somehow. Not to mention they made every pair of male eyes come to the stage. Sano looked over at Kenshin who sat very stunned. Sano smiled at this and leaned over eyes twinkling in amusement, he asked in a whisper,
"Say, do you think Jou-chan's got anything under that jacket of hers?" Kenshin gulped deeply at the thought and Sano thought the redhead would faint when Kaoru winked at him.
Sano looked over towards Seta's table to see the boy sharing the same reaction as Kenshin. Even Shinomori could not manage to completely mask his tinge of intrigue at the sight of them. Sano found this rather amusing. But then just as the lights began to dim something occurred to him.
'Where's Megumi?'
The music began to play and voice made his way to his ears,
'You had plenty money in 1922'
A long shapely leg made its appearance in the spotlight. The Mysterious singer stepped into the light revealing her identity as Takani Megumi, wearing a red strapless Bustier sequin gown that elicited many hoots and catcalls from the audience. But Sano did not join them in the calls for he was, in a word, Speechless.
'You let other women make of fool of you' She sang walking forward, mic in hand. She was simply oozing with sex appeal.
'Why don't u do right'
Kaoru's fingers glided over the oak Piano, giving the improvisation to the jazz tune. While Misao kept a mellow beat on the snare along with Kai whole plucked what seemed like mindlessly at the strings of the Bass fiddle.
'Like some other men do'
Megumi sang on walking across the stage. All eyes following her.
'Get out of here Get me some money too'
Megumi proceeded to trot down the steps, spotlight forever chasing after her. She walked into the audience to many people's delight. Making her way over to Seta's table she proceeded to sling herself blatantly over the close to nose-bleeding Soujirou. His eyes nearly cross from the ample view of her prominent chest. Sano had half a mind to go over there and strangle the little twerp, but before he could Megumi had moved on to the stone Aoshi, flicking his tie playfully. Sano could almost swear he heard a hitch in the drumbeat, but it was only a momentary lapse because Megumi had moved to the next table singing,
'Now if you'd have prepared twenty years ago You wouldn't be a wandering from door to door Why don't u do right Like some other men do'
To Sano's surprise Megumi was now visiting his table. She proceeded to sit on a stunned Kenshin's lap and toy with his flame hair a little. Neither Sano or Kaoru were pleased at this action, but Megumi continued the song.
'Get out of here' She sang pushing herself away dramatically from a now relieved Kenshin.
'Get me some money too' Megumi casually strolled behind the back of their chairs. Sano became instantly nervous. He could feel her strong finger running along his shoulders. He couldn't repress the shiver it made up his spine. She sang as she did this,
'Get out of here Get me some money too'
Megumi was now directly in front of him. Sano felt his mouth go dry and didn't even realize it was hanging open in awe of Megumi's formidable presence. The song began to come to a close and Sano felt himself moving back as Megumi got closer and closer to his face, ruby lips chiming the final words of,
'Why don't you do right Like some other men-'
Megumi pressed her finger on his chin to make jaw close
'DO---------' Her voice faded as she moved back, fingers tracing Sano's jaw as she retreated into the darkness.
Megumi went back onto the stage a smirk of amusment lighting her face as she yelled,
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TORI-ATAMA!"
She slipped off to the backstage leaving her applause, and Sano with his thumping chest, tingling jaw and jelly legs. At a moment like this only one thought entered Sano's mind was,
'So much for you being cool and suave, Sagara'
TBC
~*~*~ *- question should she refer Hiko as something else, like -sama since he is the big boss? Oh I don't know!
A.N: PHEW! That was a really fun chapter to make but it took me forever!!!! I hope it had enuff of each couple for everyone to be satisfied. I personally wanted a little more KxK and AxM but I'm saving that for next chapter! My first idea for the next one: Hiko meets Kaoru! Oh I can see that all forming in my head now! Poor Kenshin. Again sorry it took so long but it is a longer chapter. I find as I get more in tune with my writing I tend to put more.
Some things in store in chapters to come: Big things happen with all the couples! And what is this I see? Could the girls making a road trip to. KYOTO!
So I suppose that's enuff rambling from me. 4 more reviews until I hit the 1-0-0 So I thank you guys 100 times over for supporting and enjoying something I enjoy doing!
So review it makes me happy even criticism! And besides it's good Karma
Til' Next Time!
A/N- OMG!!!!!!!!! At my current viewing from chapter 15 you guys have given me 96 reviews!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! Thank you and even if I don't get 4 more I'll still always be sooooo grateful for the time, support and you wonderful readers gave me! I am forever in your gratitude! So lots of luv!
Disclaimer- I don't own anything except Kai!
~*~*~
"OUCH!"
"Sorry"
"OW!"
"Sorry"
"ITAI!!"
"Sorry"
"DAMMNIT! IF I WASN'T MORE TRUSTING I WOULD SWEAR YOU WERE TRYING TO TURN ME INTO A PIN CUSHION KAI!" An indignant Megumi yelled at the apologetic musician turned seamstress.
"I'm sorry, but I wouldn't poke you if you didn't wiggle so much!" Kai mumbled over the pins stationed in her mouth. Megumi sighed,
"Kami-sama why did I agree to do this?" She asked looking up into the heavens. A laugh stopped Megumi's plea to the ceiling.
"Oh come on Megumi! It's not like your costume needs huge alterations! Cut Kai some slack she's been working nearly non-stop for two days." Kaoru said trying to calm the rather humorous but enraged doctor.
"Thanks Kaoru-chan." Kai smiled in fatigue.
"Hey what about me! Don't I at least get some sympathy for having to wear this thing?!?!" Megumi demanded waving around the heavily sequined piece of fabric.
"No." Kaoru smiled.
"Well at least I'm not some violent Tanuki girl who couldn't get a man in this kind of dress if she tried! Ohohoho!" Megumi retorted slyly, Kaoru's smile immediately turned into in a fierce scowl.
"WHY YOU-" and the chase was on! Kaoru immediately pounced forward towards Megumi in a blind fury, Megumi on instinct pulled away and then there was a loud RRRRRIIIIIIIPPPPPP!
Everything stopped. Kaoru and Megumi looked toward the solemn Kai who in her hands now clutched the fabric originally attached to the other half of Megumi's dress. All was quiet. Kai stood, taking a quivering deep breath,
"I think I'm going to go to bed for a while."
Kai dropped the piece of cloth, and scuttled into her bedroom, the door closed with a "click" and there was a small "snap". The door had been locked and was followed by the beginning of quiet whimpering.
Kaoru and Megumi looked at each other in stun.
"We're in soooooo much trouble." Kaoru moaned.
~*~*~
The battle had raged on for over half an hour, but Makimachi Misao had managed to come out of the battle as victor!
"HA! Stupid Photocopier! That's what you get trying to mess with Makimachi! HA! HAHA! You think you can beat me? Me, The mistress of all evil! Foolish office appliance! MUWAHAHAHAHA!" Misao laughed in disgust of her opponent's failure to ruin her stack of memos. Glowing with triumph Misao nearly didn't realize that three figures were viewing this very strange conference.
"Ahem" Misao instantly stopped her gloating, swiftly turning in horror to see the noise had come from her boss Himura Kenshin, who was standing with Shinomori Aoshi and another taller well built man.
"Uh Shishou," said Himura directing this hesitant comment at the unknown man, "I want you to meet my new secretary, Makimachi Misao. Misao-dono this is Hiko Seijirou, owner of this company." Misao rapidly felt a queasiness spreading through her stomach.
"N-nice to meet you." Misao greeted meekly to her boss's boss. He merely shrugged and moved out of the room, remarking to Himura as he left,
"She's nearly as strange as you baka-deshi!" The photocopy room was now silent, but still occupied by Misao, Aoshi and the defeated machine.
"Still having difficulty with the photocopier I see." Aoshi spoke making Misao go a darker shade of red.
"H-hai," Misao murmured, gathering her papers, head drooped to hide her embarrassment, "Excuse me while I go hand out these memos and then crawl under a rock and die." Misao quickly rushed passed him pushing a memo into his hand. Aoshi couldn't help but smirk at how cute she always was when she was mortified.
~*~
Misao lightly rapped on Seta Soujirou's office door.
"Come on in!" A constantly happy voice invited.
Misao walked in head still drooped from the previous embarrassment she had just received.
"Oh hi Misao! What brings you to my office?" Soujirou asked with his permanent smile plastered on.
"I'm giving out Himura's memo about the new statistical reports." She replied half-heartedly.
"Great! Hey Misao-san why so glum?" He asked now noticing the lackluster in the girl's reply. Misao frowned deepened.
"It's really embarrassing." She moaned. But, Soujirou egged her to go on,
"You can tell me Misao-san." He said offering her a seat infront of his large polished desk. Misao sighed,
"Well you see, since I've started here I've had trouble with the photocopier-"
"Who hasn't?" Seta added understandingly.
"Exactly. So I finally got it to copy something. And I was excited about it so I started talking to it and then Himura, Aoshi-sama walked in along with Hiko-san* and they saw me yelling at the photocopier." She finished miserably, "It was sooooo embarrassing."
Soujirou only laughed patting the girl on the shoulder,
"There, there, Misao-san, it's nothing to be embarrassed about."
"Nothing to embarrassed about!? Sou-kun I was infront of the owner of the company!!!" She cried out. Soujirou seemed unfazed by this bit of information.
"So? Misao, Hiko-san probably won't even remember this next time you see him. Honestly, just look at Okon and Omasu, whenever he comes to visit they follow him everywhere like lovesick puppies and he still can't remember their names!"
"Really?" Misao asked, eyes now sparkling with amusement. Soujirou smiled saying,
"Oh yeah, like this one time Okon was-" But before he could go into detail the door opened revealing the very same secretary.
"Speak of the devil." Misao laughed feeling much better.
"Yes Okon?" Soujirou inquired smile never leaving his face.
"Oh I'm looking for Misao-chan, Misao there's a urgent call for you on line 3."
"Thanks" Misao said as Okon strode off to most likely stalk her Hiko-sama.
"Here Misao-san use my phone." Soujirou offered, as Misao was about to leave. Misao grinned,
"Oh thanks Sou-kun!" She said lifting the receiver to her face and pressing the "line 3" button.
"Moshi, Moshi Makimachi Misao speaking." She spoke with her newly regained genki-ness
"Misao-chan!" Misao immediately identified the caller as Kaoru.
"Oh hey Kaoru-chan, what's up?"
"It's Kai!" Kaoru sounded panicked.
"What about Kai?" Misao asked with concern. Immediately Soujirou's ears perked up.
"Well, you see Megumi and I got into a fight when Kai was trying to sow the dress, and it sort of ripped! So Kai said she was going to bed for a while and now she's locked the door and she won't come out!" Misao could her Megumi's pleas for Kai to unlock the door in the background.
"This is not good." Misao said frowning.
"What are we supposed to do? She won't come out and we have to perform tonight!" Kaoru cried over the phone.
"I'll take off work and get there as soon as I can. She hasn't been like this since she found out the Monkees didn't write their own songs." She sighed.
"But isn't Monkees an old sixties band?" Kaoru questioned curiously.
"Yeah, but she was never told that the singer and the drummer were really actors. She was crushed."
"Oh poor Kai, I don't suppose she gets upset often does she?" Misao smiled woefully at this question,
"Nope, that's why it's so hard to get her to snap out of it."
"Well then you better get over here quick!" Kaoru cried.
"Right." Misao said with determination, hanging up the phone.
"What's Up?" Soujirou asked hoping to hear anything about the lovely Kai.
"Oh my friend Kai is having one of her rare mental break downs. You know how creative types are-"
"Well we must go immediately and help her!" Soujirou said gallantly, "I'll drive you- Oh dear I don't have my car." Soujirou said, to Misao's astonishment nearly frowning, "But we must find someone to drive us so we can help Kai-san!" He said beaming. 'Yep Kai's definitely hooked another one' Misao thought ruefully.
"Could Himura drive us?" Misao thought. Soujirou shook his head,
"He's too busy waiting hand and foot for Hiko-san."
"Okon?"
"Nope, too busy stalking Hiko-san. Same goes for Omasu I suppose." They both went silent with contemplation.
"How about Aoshi-sama?" Misao piped out. Soujirou seemed a little skiddish about this idea,
"Uh. I don't think Shinomori-san really enjoys driving people around in his car." He said trying to detour Misao from Shinomori Aoshi's icy refusal.
"Oh don't be silly Sou-kun! Of course he will!" She said completely sure of herself.
~*~*~
At times like these Aoshi was glad that he wasn't in Himura's position of successor to the company. He had to give it to Hiko, that man really knew how to bust Kenshin's chops. Of course it still meant a difficult day for Aoshi, but not nearly as bad as Kenshin's. Aoshi had to buzz around the office doing Himura's job while he had his hands full with Hiko. By the time Aoshi had got into his office his arms were full with files and photos.
Aoshi sat down with inaudible sigh, pushing his fingers through his black hair. He looked ruefully at the pile.
'No rest for the wicked' He thought. But the moment he opened the cream folder there was a light rapping on his large oak doors.
"Yes." He said in his most stern tone, getting a bit exasperated with all today's interruptions. In through the door popped in the smiling face of Misao, who seemed to have fully recovered from her embarrassing escapade, she hopped through the door, followed by a bashful Soujirou wearing a hestitant smile.
'Now what's this?' He asked himself disregarding the twinge of jealousy he felt at seeing the two together.
"Seta." He said giving a curt nod, receiving one back in reply. Then Aoshi turned back into the file.
"Aoshi-sama?" He looked up at Misao. 'Oh no' a little voice moaned in his head. Misao had her big puppy-dog eyes and was holding her hands at her chest.
"Aa" Aoshi merely replied, knowing that whatever Misao was going to ask he wouldn't like.
"Aoshi-sama, do you think you could possibly, oh pretty please, drive Sou- kun and me back to the apartment. Oh pretty pretty please with a cherry on top?"
'Her and SOU-KUN back to the apartment eh? Absolutely not!' That same voice yelled in his head, which he had the tendency to agree with completely.
"I'm sorry Misao." He said trying not to look into her big dewy eyes, "but I have a lot of work to do-" CRAP! Aoshi had looked up. There was Misao wide wet eyes, and she had even added the lip quiver. Aoshi was falling like a house of cards. If there was one thing could not stand for was Misao crying. "Maybe later." Oh he was sinking fast and Misao hadn't even uttered a single word yet.
'Come on Aoshi boy! Don't let a pair of eyes get to ya! Be stern, just say NO'
"Aoshi-sama." Misao whimpered. The next moment Aoshi found himself rising out of his seat, keys jangling in his hand.
"THANK YOU AOSHI-SAMA!" Misao smiled, giving Aoshi a big hug that he couldn't help but melt a little at.
'Wuss' His mind snapped.
To Seta Soujirou though, Aoshi looked completely calm. Soujirou had never been so amazed in his life,
'How'd she do that?' He internally questioned, tilting his head at the little snip of girl gripping on to the monolith like businessman's arm.
~*~*~
"HAVE NO FEAR! MAKIMACHI MISAO IS HERE!" Misao announced busting through the door, with both Aoshi and Soujirou in tow.
Both Kaoru and Megumi sighed in relief. Immediately Misao rolled up her sleeves and took on the air of a general.
"KAORU! I need B&J's stat!" She order, eyes in cold flame that demanded respect.
"B&J?" Kaoru asked shamefully, not knowing what the hell B&J stood for.
"Ben and Jerry's! The ice cream! Go down to the corner store and get the chocolate chip kind with those cookie dough chunks!"
"For Kai right?" It is a well-known fact that any woman in mourning enjoys devouring a whole tub of ice cream.
"OF COURSE NOT! Kai's lactose intolerant! It's for me! NOW GO! SCAMP!" Misao slapped some yen notes into her hand and herded the stunned Kamiya out of the door.
"MEGUMI!" Megumi quickly stood at attention, "Go to the Fabric store, and grab all the red sequins and red thread you can! Now GO!" Megumi was actually a bit relieved that she got sent out. She did not particularly want to stay in the apartment with Misao in her 'Little Miss Military' mode.
Misao took long quick strides towards her and Kai's bedroom door. But instead of futilely trying to pick the lock like Megumi and Kaoru had, Misao simply started to tap an unrecognizable rhythm on the door. A second later there was a click and the door opened into the darkened room. Misao smiled triumphantly, but paused before entering. She turned towards Aoshi and Soujirou, frowning,
"Well don't just stand there! Sou-kun! Go and stall Sano! Make sure he doesn't step foot in the club or this apartment OR ELSE!" She shook a menacing fist. Soujirou gulped. Then Misao's frown turned to a pleading smile, "OH Aoshi-sama, could you please make sure that all the instruments get into the club okay? Himura was supposed to but I think he's a little held up with Hiko-san." Misao fluttered her eyelashes and wet her eyes.
"Misao." Aoshi started to object but Misao just smiled and winked at him.
"Thanks so much Aoshi-sama!" She slipped through the door and snapped it shut leaving both men standing in the deserted apartment thinking the same thought.
'How does she do it?'
~*~*~
Seta Soujirou was now standing infront of apartment 10B directly across apartment 10A. From what Seta had seen of Sano, he could come to the conclusion that Sano, 1 enjoyed booze, 2 enjoyed women and 3 enjoyed women and booze together. From what Seta knew about himself, he could draw the conclusion that, 1 he couldn't handle his booze, 2 he couldn't handle any sort of female and 3 he most definitely couldn't handle them together.
So how in Kami-sama's name was Soujirou going to keep Sagara Sanosuke preoccupied?
Just as Soujirou was about to knock on the door it swung open, revealing a regularly disheveled Sano himself. He looked a bit surprise at Seta's presence, but shook it off and shot a grin back at the ever-smiling businessman.
"Hey! It's.Seta.right? Hey come on in buddy! Let me guess, you're here to wish me a happy birthday right?"
"uh.yah that's it" Soujirou replied hestitantly. Then a wave of miracle genius hit Seta Soujirou,
"I also came over to ask for your expertise." Seta smiled thinking 'Flattery will get you everywhere'
"Oh yeah what can I help you with?" Sano asked in mock humbleness.
"I need help with women." At this statement Sano gave a knowing smile and put his arm around the small man.
"Then you have come to the right man young grasshopper."
~*~*~
When Kaoru and Megumi arrived back at the apartment to their amazement they saw Kai sitting on the couch stitching up the dress with a warm smile on her face. Both women were beyond bewildered.
"Uh hi Kai." Kaoru probed unsurely, praying that Kai wouldn't bolt and lock herself in her room again. Kai turned around and waved.
"Oh hey guys! Put that stuff down, I'm nearly done and I need to fit you guys!" She smiled kindly at them.
Megumi and Kaoru were still extraordinarily stunned.
"Look Kai we're both really sorry about what happened today-"
"OH! Don't worry about I was just a bit stressed out and all, but I'm good now!"
Just then the door to Kai and Misao's bedroom swung open revealing Misao in full costume. Kai clapped with glee,
"Wow Misao you look great!" She laughed. Misao struck a pose pursing her lips like a model and said,
"I don't look too bad if I do say so myself." Megumi and Kaoru were both inclined to agree. The costume consisted of an asymmetrical white top with one suspender on her exposed shoulder and another hanging limply, clipped to her pinstriped shorts and to bring it all together Misao wore a caddy hat on her head.
"It's my version of 1920's meets the 21st century!" Kai laughed, "So who wants try theirs on next?" Kaoru quickly snatched hers up and went to change.
"Oh! Megumi, I made you another costume to change into after your song is done. I thought you might like one since the dress is a little -uh binding." Megumi was yet again surprised.
"Thank you Kai. That's very thoughtful of you." Megumi felt terrible about giving Kai all that flack before hand.
"Think nothing of it." Kai winked handing Megumi her costume.
Kaoru then made her entrance.
"I'm not crazy about skirts but I'm loving this one!" She laughed giving a twirl. Kaoru was wearing a pin stripe skirt and a double-breasted pinstriped jacket just like the big mob bosses would wear back in the day, "How did you manage to make everyone a costume in such short time?" Kaoru asked in amazement.
"It was pretty simple," Misao cut in, "I bought two full piece suits and Kai cut them up and made them into the costumes, we just added some shirts and hats to complete them."
Megumi's costume consisted of a white tank top, black tie and the pinstriped trousers from the suits.
"Can't I just wear this when I'm on stage?" Megumi asked casually to cover her desperation to get out of wearing the red sequined dress.
"NO" all the girls chimed sweetly in reply.
"Finished!" Kai smiled holding up her costume consisting of the suit's vest and pants cropped to look like flood pants. Kai added a Fedora on top to give it authenticity.
"Looks like we're ready to rock and roll" She said proudly.
~*~*~
For about the 123rd time that day Kenshin let out an exasperated sigh. Days with his Shishou could try even a monk's patience. At the present Kenshin was playing chauffeur to his teacher/boss. He was playing this role at the threat of Hiko "leaking out" baby photos of the red head. Normally Kenshin wouldn't care if these pictures came out, it had happened before and he still had the limited respect of his co-workers. But this time he buckled at Hiko's black mail at the thought of Misao getting her hands on it and then showing it Kaoru. The only thing that would be even MORE embarrassing than that would be Shishou himself going up to Kaoru and telling her about Kenshin's childhood bed wetting. Kenshin shuddered violently at the idea.
"Baka-deshi can we get there any faster? I'm nearly out of this crappy sake you gave me!" Hiko harped from the back.
"But Shishou I gave that to you five minutes ago!" Kenshin said sweat dropping
"Never mind that! Just drive! Where are we going to any way?"
"I thought I could take you to the Seikihoutai Club-" Kenshin's eyes immediately widened in realization and horror. He knew he had forgotten something important! But not as important as the promise he had made to Kaoru to make sure that all the rented instruments got in the club alright. And the girls were due to go on stage in half an hour! Kenshin was quick in his actions. Whipping out his cellphone and pressing the number for apartment 10A that just happened to be on his speed dial.
"Moshi Moshi! You've reached the sex pad of four incredibly lovely ladies." Kenshin identified the voice as Megumi.
"Ah konnichi wa Megumi-dono. Could sessha possibly speak with Kaoru-dono please?"
"Ohohohoho! Kaoru-chan eh? Sure thing Ken-san!" Megumi said with an insinuative tone, "HEY KAORU IT'S YOUR PRINCE CHARMING ON THE PHONE!" Megumi called and Kenshin instantly blushed.
"Shut up Megumi! He'll hear you! Moshi Moshi Kaoru speaking!" Kaoru's voice chimmed over the phone. Kenshin pulled at his collar a little nervous at how to tell the girl whom he was so smitten with that he had just blown her performance for her boss's birthday.
"Konnichi wa Kaoru-dono. This unworthy one was just calling to apologize."
"Kenshin! Don't call yourself that! And apologize about what?" Kaoru said in the tender voice he loved.
"Sessha forgot to make sure the instruments arrived at the club alright! Sessha is sooo sorry for letting you down-" Kenshin wanted to go on with his plea for forgiveness but Kaoru cut him off.
"Oh Kenshin your so sweet! Don't worry about it Misao got Aoshi to handle it! She said you were really tied up with your boss," she giggled, but then her voice turned to concern, "You'll be able to make it for Sano's party right?" Kenshin could feel a warm smile spread across his face.
"Of course Kaoru-dono I haven't missed one of your performances yet and I don't plan too!" Kenshin reassured her in his soft loving voice.
"O-oh,That's great! Well I have to go but I'll see you later! Bye Kenshin!"
"Bye Kaoru-dono." Kenshin turned his phone off peering into the rear view window at his Shishou who was grinning widely.
"Well, well! Kenshin I think you owe me an explanation as to who exactly this 'Kaoru-dono' is."
Kenshin again sighed miserably.
~*~*~
Soujirou sat partly horrified and partly intrigue as he watched the taller man go into detail about his many encounters with members of the opposite sex.
"Now one thing girls love is confidence and indifference!" Sano went on into explanation arms flying around as he spoke, " The ladies don't want a guy who'll drool all over them and turn into jelly whenever the show up!" Soujirou nodded in agreement. Hey! Who knows? Soujirou might even learn something while he was keeping Sagara busy.
"The ladies want a man with sex appeal and no showing desire for them! Women want what they can't have! They want the challenge!" Sano declared, going on to say, "And that's what us men have to give them! Look at Myself, Kenshin and even Shinomori! We play the suave and uninterested not the lost puppy act-"
"What about Himura? As I do recall hearing, he fainted at the sight of Kamiya-san after I had passed out." Soujirou questioned. Sano stopped, a bit puzzled himself, then snapped his fingers, the answer dawning on him,
"See the thing with Kenshin is that he doesn't mean to be indifferent to women but he is! Kenshin has an inferiority complex when it comes to women. Especially the ones' he really likes! He'll stay away from them because he thinks he's unworthy of them, making him all that more desirable because they think he's not interested!"
"But Himura regularly goes to get Coffee at the Akabeko just because Kamiya- san is there." Soujirou was becoming a little confused and unfortunately so was Sano,
"Errr. Uh! What about you Seta? You got any ladies you wanna snag?" Soujirou automatically blushed at Sano's comment, who had now given the young man a knowing smile.
"So who is she? Hmmm probably one of the girls from next door! Better not be the Kitsune Onna-" Soujirou's eye's widened in intrigue as he heard Takani-sensei's name said in Sano's mumbling. Seta would have inquired about the mention of the doctor but before he could his phone rang shrilly. Sano stopped his muttering realizing that his guest could hear what he was saying and Soujirou answered the phone.
"Moshi Moshi, Seta here!" He chirped. "Bring Sano To The Bar." A menacing female voice demanded before hanging up. Soujirou blinked a little and so did Sano.
"What was that about?" The taller male asked trying to cover his curiousity. Soujirou began to trip over his words trying to find a proper reply, but opted instead to say,
"Er.Telemarketer! Say let's go finish this coversation at the bar! I could really use a drink and you could even demonstrate how to win over the ladies!" Seta proposed, amazed at his quick thinking. Sano scratched his chin in consideration before saying,
"Sure! Why not? Let the master show you how it's done! And besides I could use a good drink myself!"
Soujirou smiled to himself as Sano got on his coat.
'All is falling into place'
~*~*~
'This isn't the greatest birthday of my life, but I've most definitely had worse.' Sano thought to himself while heading towards his club.
Sano had woken to find the apartment deserted and the door to the girls' apartment was locked.
After a whole day of doing nothing, hee had decided that he would go and kick the girls' door in because he could hear Misao barge into the apartment a little while before. But when Sano tried to put this decision into action, he came face to face with Kenshin's co-worker on his front doorstep. Sano had to admit he was pretty flattered that Seta had come to him for woman advice, because Seta sooooo obviously needed it.
Sano would be able to help the guy out once in the Seikihoutai about how to really get the ladies, but when he walked in to the club he found it completely.
"OI! WHO THE HELL TURNED OUT THE LIGHTS?" He cried out dumbly. Immediately the houselights came blazing to life and over a hundred voices chorused together,
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANO!"
Sano was shocked to say the least. He looked back at Seta who was grinning widely (par usual) and realized the he had been a decoy.
But wow what a surprise!
He hadn't even thought of someone pulling this right under his nose in his own club!
"Wow," Sano started rubbing his hand behind his head, "You guys did all this for me?"
Kenshin appeared out of the crowd of people, wearing his inviting grin,
"Of course! Come on Sano. The girls have prepared a special birthday set just for you! We saved you a seat in the front." Kenshin said pulling the birthday boy through the crowd of well-wishers.
"Really? What is it?" Sano said trying to mask his giddy and excitement.
"I don't really know myself. They wouldn't let me come into their dressing room before the show." Kenshin replied a tinge regretfully. They came to their seats and Sano spotted Seta sitting over at the table with Shinomori, who surprisingly gave a small nod of recognition to Sano.
Sano ordered himself a drink as the girls stepped out on stage. And Sano had to admit he liked the gangster costumes of theirs, they were very fitting somehow. Not to mention they made every pair of male eyes come to the stage. Sano looked over at Kenshin who sat very stunned. Sano smiled at this and leaned over eyes twinkling in amusement, he asked in a whisper,
"Say, do you think Jou-chan's got anything under that jacket of hers?" Kenshin gulped deeply at the thought and Sano thought the redhead would faint when Kaoru winked at him.
Sano looked over towards Seta's table to see the boy sharing the same reaction as Kenshin. Even Shinomori could not manage to completely mask his tinge of intrigue at the sight of them. Sano found this rather amusing. But then just as the lights began to dim something occurred to him.
'Where's Megumi?'
The music began to play and voice made his way to his ears,
'You had plenty money in 1922'
A long shapely leg made its appearance in the spotlight. The Mysterious singer stepped into the light revealing her identity as Takani Megumi, wearing a red strapless Bustier sequin gown that elicited many hoots and catcalls from the audience. But Sano did not join them in the calls for he was, in a word, Speechless.
'You let other women make of fool of you' She sang walking forward, mic in hand. She was simply oozing with sex appeal.
'Why don't u do right'
Kaoru's fingers glided over the oak Piano, giving the improvisation to the jazz tune. While Misao kept a mellow beat on the snare along with Kai whole plucked what seemed like mindlessly at the strings of the Bass fiddle.
'Like some other men do'
Megumi sang on walking across the stage. All eyes following her.
'Get out of here Get me some money too'
Megumi proceeded to trot down the steps, spotlight forever chasing after her. She walked into the audience to many people's delight. Making her way over to Seta's table she proceeded to sling herself blatantly over the close to nose-bleeding Soujirou. His eyes nearly cross from the ample view of her prominent chest. Sano had half a mind to go over there and strangle the little twerp, but before he could Megumi had moved on to the stone Aoshi, flicking his tie playfully. Sano could almost swear he heard a hitch in the drumbeat, but it was only a momentary lapse because Megumi had moved to the next table singing,
'Now if you'd have prepared twenty years ago You wouldn't be a wandering from door to door Why don't u do right Like some other men do'
To Sano's surprise Megumi was now visiting his table. She proceeded to sit on a stunned Kenshin's lap and toy with his flame hair a little. Neither Sano or Kaoru were pleased at this action, but Megumi continued the song.
'Get out of here' She sang pushing herself away dramatically from a now relieved Kenshin.
'Get me some money too' Megumi casually strolled behind the back of their chairs. Sano became instantly nervous. He could feel her strong finger running along his shoulders. He couldn't repress the shiver it made up his spine. She sang as she did this,
'Get out of here Get me some money too'
Megumi was now directly in front of him. Sano felt his mouth go dry and didn't even realize it was hanging open in awe of Megumi's formidable presence. The song began to come to a close and Sano felt himself moving back as Megumi got closer and closer to his face, ruby lips chiming the final words of,
'Why don't you do right Like some other men-'
Megumi pressed her finger on his chin to make jaw close
'DO---------' Her voice faded as she moved back, fingers tracing Sano's jaw as she retreated into the darkness.
Megumi went back onto the stage a smirk of amusment lighting her face as she yelled,
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TORI-ATAMA!"
She slipped off to the backstage leaving her applause, and Sano with his thumping chest, tingling jaw and jelly legs. At a moment like this only one thought entered Sano's mind was,
'So much for you being cool and suave, Sagara'
TBC
~*~*~ *- question should she refer Hiko as something else, like -sama since he is the big boss? Oh I don't know!
A.N: PHEW! That was a really fun chapter to make but it took me forever!!!! I hope it had enuff of each couple for everyone to be satisfied. I personally wanted a little more KxK and AxM but I'm saving that for next chapter! My first idea for the next one: Hiko meets Kaoru! Oh I can see that all forming in my head now! Poor Kenshin. Again sorry it took so long but it is a longer chapter. I find as I get more in tune with my writing I tend to put more.
Some things in store in chapters to come: Big things happen with all the couples! And what is this I see? Could the girls making a road trip to. KYOTO!
So I suppose that's enuff rambling from me. 4 more reviews until I hit the 1-0-0 So I thank you guys 100 times over for supporting and enjoying something I enjoy doing!
So review it makes me happy even criticism! And besides it's good Karma
Til' Next Time!