Author's Note: I'm really sorry that I hadn't gotten around to writing much, but school was becoming very nerve-racking. We had to decide on classes for next year. *sighs* I really hope I'm not overdoing it if I take four AP courses then. Oh, actual things to keep in mind for the chapter: there may or may not contain OOC-ness depending on who is reading. Well, I had lots of fun! ^_^
Disclaimer: Don't worry, I'm not *…* delusional. I am aware that I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, but guess what? I am now the proud owner of fairy dust (in a way)!
The Seller of Dreams
Chapter 2: Just a Sprinkle of Fairy Dust
By CrismHeart
February 16, 2004
Kaoru was not sure what she thought the interior of the shop would look like, but it definitely was not what she had expected. The place could not exactly be described as well lit, but there was enough light let in so that customers could clearly see the products that were for sale. It was quite spacious, or would have been so if there weren't millions of items piled on top of each other. For a second, Kaoru began panicking. Every corner was teeming with fascinating objects. Knowing how easily amused Misao could be, Kaoru was afraid that she would never find her friend. In the midst of her unease, Kaoru became distracted by a sudden squeal coming from the opposite side of the store.
"Kaoru-chan, you've finally gotten here! Look at this!"
Kaoru rushed over to the familiar voice and was glad to see that it had belonged to Misao. "Thank Kami-sama that Misao has a voice that carries!" she muttered.
"What do you mean by finally?" Kaoru glared, "You abandoned me before!"
It was then when Misao realized that Kaoru was not in the best of moods. "I uh… I thought you had come in with me, demo when I decided to show you the awesome sign, I realized that you hadn't." Misao said with a nervous smile. Inwardly, she prayed that Kaoru's volatile emotions would settle. The wrath of Kamiya Kaoru could be a scary to face, indeed.
Kaoru sighed and decided to let the matter go. "So, what was it that made you so excited before?"
Misao stared back at Kaoru in disbelief, "You mean you don't see what I see?"
Kaoru raised an eyebrow at her friend before reading the poster that was directly in front of them:
Ever wondered if dreams really could come true? Well, your question has been answered. With just a sprinkle of fairy dust, you can have whatever your heart desires. The possibilities are endless! Because fairy dust is only found at The Seller of Dreams and customers may be skeptic, we are offering free trials to the first seven people to ask about it.
The offer was too good to be true! Already, Kaoru could see that Misao was replaying certain fantasies in her mind revolving around her Aoshi-sama. The huge stars in her friend's eyes made it all too obvious. "Aoshi-sama…"
Kaoru had doubted the validity of the advertisement, but at the same time, she was drawn to the message on it. "Mou, those evil salespeople, they always know just what to say to make you purchase their product!" She thought to herself. Although Kaoru wished she could say that she was above falling for false words, the other side of her did in fact, want the free trial of fairy dust. Who would really give up a chance like that?
Kaoru shifted her gaze to Misao, who was still busily daydreaming about the object of her infatuation. "Ano… Misao-chan?" Kaoru wasn't quite sure what to do to make Misao return to her senses. Actually, she wasn't sure of whether she should disturb her friend either. The last time Kaoru had done so, Misao had been extremely angry, a glaring contrast from her otherwise jovial nature.
"Misao-chan?" Kaoru repeated as she poked her friend timidly with an index finger.
After receiving no response, her temper began to flare up again, but Kaoru decided that it would be rather immature of her to act on her emotions. A malicious smile formed on her face as she remember that the store was only offering free fairy dust to the first seven people to ask about it.
Instantly, Kaoru had teleported to the front of the shop and was standing in front of the counter. "Sumimasen, I read that the first seven people to ask about the offer on the advertisement in the back-"
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"Kaoru-neechan, is there going to be a fairy godmother?" Ayame wanted to know.
"Yeah, a fairy godmother!" Suzume cried.
"Of course, Ayame-chan, Suzume-chan." I replied in compliance. Besides, the entire point of the story was to please the girls. "Now, how to incorporate such a character into my fairy tale?" I wondered.
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The man at the register had his back to Kaoru, but she could see that he was tall and well built, with a white, flowing cape that concealed his broad shoulders.
For reasons unknown to Kaoru at the time, the clerk was oddly familiar. It was when he turned around when she realized why.
"H-Hiko-sensei?" Kaoru froze in her place and grew palid. What was her high school principal doing at working at The Seller of Dreams? It was as if Kami-sama had wished to chastise her once again for taking advantage of Misao's... vulnerable condition. Kaoru could already imagine what her teachers really had conversations about in the teachers' lounge.
Hiko surveyed his newest customer before a grin spread across his face, "Kamiya-san, what are you doing here?" He would never admit it, but he did respect her and considered her one of the most admirable students in the school. Although most educators wanted students who were perfectly obedient, Hiko encouraged those with the audacity to speak their minds.
"I-I…" Kaoru stuttered before regaining her composure, "Ano… Hiko-sensei, I think that I should be asking you that question."
Hiko chuckled, "Isn't it obvious? I work here."
Kaoru flushed with embarrassment. "Of course he works here, but why?" she thought to herself.
Hiko's humor eventually subsided. He could see the unvoiced question that existed in Kaoru's eyes.
"Kamiya-san, to tell you the truth, I needed a job to pay for my…" he paused and lowered his voice to a whisper, "sake."
Kaoru shook her head in disapproval. She hadn't really anticipated her roguish principal to have an actual reason for working. It was a known fact that he enjoyed his alcohol. However, it was his assertiveness and steadfastness to discipline that made him the fit to be head of the high school. Kaoru shrugged. At least he had had the decency to give her an informative response. Perhaps it was a little too much information. Kaoru did not quite want to know what Hiko did during his free time.
"Hiko-sensei… why are you being so secretive all of a sudden?" Kaoru eyed him suspiciously.
Hiko became very tense as he scanned the room. "Well, you see… my wife isn't especially fond of me drinking, so do me a favor and don't tell her about this job, Kamiya-san?" he requested nervously.
Kaoru's principal was just full of surprises that day, wasn't he? She was again astonished. At first it was due to his uncharacteristic behavior… before she fully comprehended his declaration.
"You have a wife?!" Kaoru shrieked. This recent discovery was almost too much for her to handle.
Hiko gave Kaoru a warning look telling her not to mention his wife in the future. It was without a doubt, a very sensitive subject for him.
"Eh, gomen nasai, Hiko-sensei." Kaoru bowed in apology.
Hiko waved his hand in a gesture to show that all was forgotten, "So, about the fairy dust, do you still want it?"
"Hai!" Kaoru answered gleefully.
Hiko smirked, "What are you planning to do with it now?"
Kaoru frowned at her presumptuous principal, "That's for me to know."
"Fair enough." Hiko presented Kaoru with a small piece of paper and a brown pouch.
"What's this?"
"Just keep it. It's a receipt. Maybe it'll come in handy in the future." Hiko sounded serious enough, so Kaoru accepted it willingly. There wasn't anything written on it except the number seven. It was probably there just to show that she was the last one to receive the special offer. What Kaoru had failed to notice at that time was that on the back of the receipt that Hiko had handed her was: Be careful what you wish for. As she tucked both the bag and the paper into her pocket, Kaoru started feeling guilty for not telling Misao about the fairy dust.
Kaoru conciliated herself, as her best friend would find out soon enough.
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Author's Note: Wow! *stars in eyes* I'm loving all the encouragement I've been receiving from reviewers! ^_~ People are just so eager to help out! Please review! I would like some input on possible scenarios! Um, I hope you liked it! I know it was… strange, but I couldn't help experimenting with ideas! (hehe, you know, Hiko with a wife?) Also, before you say that Kaoru wouldn't tell Ayame and Suzume about Hiko and his love of sake, the story is happening in her mind as she tells it, so she probably does not mention all of the details.
Naiya-chan: Thank you so much for being my first reviewer! Do you have any ideas for a summary? lol, I can't think of one since I wasn't aware that my summary was hard to understand.
Evil Chibi Kitten: Hmm… I'm really aiming for a certain genre and although I'm hoping for this to become slightly more humorous, I've been a bit out of touch in writing comedies. *sighs*
Kakiyaku Mai: Thanks! I think I did read one of the books in the series. Perhaps it was that one? If so, it was- *counts fingers* -six years ago. Well, even if you read because of the title, I hope you weren't disappointed to find that it has no real connection to the book… Oh yes, and I will be continuing my other story! I just have some writer's block at the moment… do you read "For Honor?"
MZ. AMbER EYES: Thanks! I am really glad to see that you reviewed this story! I know it doesn't seem like it can even remotely be funny, but I'm going for ironic humor. (hehe, shouldn't be too difficult since I can be rather sarcastic!)
lilk0k0: Thank you! I hope to hear from you!
TanukiGirl22: *ponders* You just had to ask a complicated question, didn't you? I'm not sure how to answer that, but yes, it is a reflection of me. When are my stories not? lol
wackoramaco87: Thank you! I can only hope I did okay, lol. I'm attempting to keep my mind off of grades by writing!
moderndaybattosai: Thanks! I'm so happy that you enjoyed! Of course, I'll continue! ^_^
CEEGEE: Thank you!
Kitsune_KeNsHiN: Yay! I'm pleased to see that you checked out this story! ^_^ I never really leave a fic unfinished, hehe, but for some reason this story is a lot simpler to write.
*hakura*: Thank you very much! I hope you're as confident as you sound about how my story will turn out!
lightning_storm: Yup, yup! Since I made such an effort to review all your chapters, do you think you could update? *smiles innocently* As for the story, I'm curious to see what happens as well!
