MISMATCHED
Chapter 5 - Femme Fatales
Author's note:
Sorry if the chapters are coming in slow. Been busy with school, but I do promise to try and upload as soon as I can. I hope you're all enjoying this. Thanks so much for the feedbacks. Well, further apologies later. On with the fic.
Femme Fatales
MISAO
The Aoiya was bathed in the yellow light of the full moon. It was a quite night, with clear skies and few stars. The wind was soft and cool and in all aspect it seemed like a normal evening, free of noise and chaos, a complete contrast from last night. The Aoiya was quite big. Bigger than Kaoru's home in fact. The back yard was wide and had enough space to accommodate probably a hundred ninjas or so and Misao had seen this lot filled with the dark suited men and women, their shadows dancing by the brown soil. It had been a long time ago, but her memory of it was clear as if it had just happened yesterday.
She was perched on one of the taller trees that surrounded the Aoiya. She loved it here. From her position she could see the whole house and even farther into the town, where the little houses seemed to throb as the lights flickered and glowed from a far. She could see shadows, silhouette of few men and women who were still awake inside their homes. It was like watching a shadow play, except there were no words, only silence and the occasional rustling of the leaves.
She sighed. Dinner was miserable. Everyone seemed to have something on their minds, including her. They had been silent the whole time and it was only Himura who seemed quite adamant to talk and start up a conversation. Which was a little odd, because she was so used to hearing Kaoru and Sano's voice as Kenshin would just occasionally say a few polite words. Apparently, he had chanced upon his shishou at the market.
Lunch with Hiko and his ego. Miso scrunched up her nose in mild distaste. She remembered him well enough to know that Kenshin probably hadn't enjoyed being with his master for the whole day. She wished Kenshin had stayed. At least she could've talked to him. She had tried talking to Kaoru earlier, but the older girl seemed to be too distracted so she had left her to look for either Sano or Megumi. She did find Sano but their talk had been brief. Aoshi-sama had materialized out of nowhere and from then on, thoughts of Sano and his existence faded. It was as if it was only her and Aoshi on that room. She shivered pleasantly with thoughts of Aoshi. It wasn't just a silly childhood infatuation. She was sure of. She had no way of knowing of course, but she was sure of it and that was that. No sense in questioning one's heart.
She sighed. If only Aoshi-sama knew how she felt. If only he knew that every time she heard his name it gave her little heart attacks and butterflies inside her stomach and warmth on her cheeks. She giggled at the girliness of it all.
"What are you doing up there?"
She looked down, startled. She squinted up her eyes and saw the raised eyebrows and the red lips. "Megumi?" She asked not sure what the lady doctor was doing outside when she should be asleep. Hell, everybody should be asleep, including her. Most especially her. The crap Okina would give her if he finds out she was here.
"Get down." It was an order.
"Why?" She asked defiantly. Nobody orders her around!
"Because young ladies do not go climbing up trees in the middle of the night. It's creepy." Megumi said haughtily.
"I'm an oni. I do this all the time. I trained for this." She said frowning. Megumi would never understand the skills necessary in becoming an Oni.
"Well, it's still creepy. Now get down, I have to tell you something important."
"Why can't you tell me while I'm up here?" She asked.
"Because it's like I'm talking to a damn tree?" Megumi offered.
Misao sighed. She jumped off the branch without any noise and landed gracefully in front of Megumi. She glanced at Megumi and was pleased to see the lady doctor looking at her with slight awe. Impressed much? She asked herself. She decided to play it cool and so did Megumi. It made her feel as though they were two ladies conspiring underneath the moon. Female espionage was another obsession of her aside from Aoshi that is. "Well, what is it?"
"We have to wait for Kaoru first." Megumi said.
Misao tilted her head. Something was up. Something very big was up. Her spine tingled with anticipation and her the little wheels inside her head started turning. She wondered what Megumi was up to. She hoped it involves a lot of fun and well, men too.
Men. Only one name came into her mind. Aoshi-sama.
KAORU
It was dark around her. She strained to hear voices outside but there was only silence and the light chirping of crickets. She stared at the ceiling and tried to decide whether or not she should heed Megumi's call for a secret meeting. Girls only. At least that was what Megumi had said. She frowned, what on earth could the fox lady have in mind and why do they have to meet in secret about it, in the middle of the friggin' night?
'Well, you wouldn't know if you stay here in bed' Her mind snarled at her.
"But it's stupid!" She mumbled out loud.
'And you're dying to find out what this great stupidity is.'
She cursed. Great, now she has to deal with her smart assed self. The one that was never rational and at most time, the one who was always dead right. She shook her head. She listened some more. She could hear Sano snoring from somewhere. It was short and loud, with brief interval of senseless mumbling. She rolled her eyes. She wouldn't be surprised if she found out that Sano was sleeping in the farthest room, away from all of them. Sano was a loud mouth awake, why would it be different if he were asleep?
'And yes, you are desperate. Now get your ass out of that futon Kamiya and get it over with!'
She tightened her hold on her yukata and groaned. "I am going to regret this." She mumbled.
'Sure.'
Taking in a deep breath, she scrambled to get out of her futon. "I'm going. I'm going, happy now?" She asked the empty room.
There was silence. Of course.
"Yes." She mumbled after a minute accepting her defeat. She had a mental vision of herself, clear blue eyes and smug smile.
She opened her door cautiously, reminded of the scene this morning. She was a little surprised and disappointed that Kenshin wasn't sleeping by her door. 'Oh, well, at least he wasn't giving her the "fatherly-attention" as she so called it. She closed the door as silently as she could and started her way out of the hall. Her heart was beating against her chest. For a moment she could hear the gossip for tomorrow. Okon and Omasu whispering by the kitchen, "Kamiya-san went out late last night. I wonder where she went. Such a strange girl she is, that one."
She winced inwardly. She was going to kill Megumi. She held her breath and was feeling already ecstatic that she was now almost out of the house without any misfortune befalling on her. She slid her foot inches more towards the door and in no time she'd be outside. She needed to get a life. One that's normal and wouldn't include late night meeting, she thought to herself.
"Kaoru-dono? Where are you going?"
She sighed not in the least bit surprised. "Of course." she muttered darkly. She spun around, already on a defensive mode. "Nowhere Kenshin! I am just going to the bathroom and pee! Are you following me? Why are you following me? You think I'm a little kid who needs someone to hold her hand while I... I..." she paused there, taking in big gulps of air. Damn that Kenshin. Damn his compulsive needs to protect her. It was sweet and all, but geesh, this was getting ridiculous.
Kenshin'e eyes had widened. "Ugh, of course not Kaoru-dono. I was just... Sesha wa..."
Kaoru rolled her eyes and filled in the rest. "Sesha wa worried about you. Yes, fine. I'm fine. See?" She leaned forward and in a grave voice, she whispered, " If I don't get out of the bathroom in two minutes send a search party." She paused as soon as the final word was out of her mouth. Aw, crap! She felt a little guilty. She hadn't spoken to Kenshin that way. Ever. But someone has to do something. She wasn't going to spend the rest of her life being treated like... like... like a damn porcelain doll! It was laughable. She a master, of the Kamiya Kasshin technique, a sensei of an esteemed, well not exactly popular, but it was still respected dojo, dammit! Totally unacceptable!
Kenshin looked taken aback for a moment. And then he smiled. His usual smile that seemed happy. Kaoru had to swallow a lump on her throat. You never show your true smile Kenshin. Do you know how much that hurts? That you pretend to be happy and carefree with me when in truth... Kaoru looked away and listened to Kenshin's customary apology. They've been doing this since the first time they met. She had already memorized Kenshin's apology.
"Gomen nasai Kaoru-dono. It's not like that all. I am just worried about you. Please forgive this unworthy one."
She took a deep breath and turned towards Kenshin. She walked towards him. Her steps were light and silent. She was in front of him within seconds. If it hadn't been this dark, she could've clearly seen Kenshin's eyes. She would kill, she thought, to see his eyes. Were they dark and intense? She would never know. She sighed and leaned forward. "Gomen Kenshin. Please do not worry. I am fine." She didn't know what made her do it, or for that matter why Kenshin didn't stop her, but she leaned forward and kissed his cheeks. Really, it was just her lips brushing his smooth skin for a fraction of a second. But still, dammit, it was a KISS! She felt dizzy for a moment. She drew back and tried very hard not to faint.
Kenshin was quick to draw away, suddenly getting his lightning fast reflexes back. "Eh...oro...eh... you should go to, ugh, the bathroom de gozaru. Oyasumi" He said bowing. He stood ram-rod straight for a moment, seemingly unsure of what to do and then he quickly turned and fled the scene of the crime.
Kaoru stood still for a moment. She blinked, watching as Kenshin's shadow merged into the dark, disappearing quickly and quietly. She went out of the Aoiya without any effort, knowing that Kenshin would be hiding in his room. She hoped it wouldn't be for the rest of his life, because she just kissed him and... Oh. My. God. She froze as everything started to sink in.
It was so silent outside. And she could swear that she could hear her heart beating a hundred times over the normal rate. She clutched at her chest, suddenly afraid that her heart would jump out and follow Kenshin into his room, anywhere, everywhere, as long as it was with him. As long as she was with him.
Oh, God. I kissed him. I kissed him... she repeated the words over and over, as if doing so would make it more real. I kissed him, she repeated for the hundred and fifty-sixth time. She smiled pleasantly now in hurry to meet up with Misao and Megumi. She could hear a new rumor spreading: "Oh, last night, Kamiya-san kissed Himura-san! What a stranger girl she is, that one."
And then, the scene replayed itself in her mind. She stopped dead on her tracks, realizing something very important.
I kissed him... and he ran away!
She grew angry at this and began stomping her way towards the backyard. Stubborn baka rurouni! Whatever it was that Megumi was planning, I'm gonna make sure that it will involve Kenshin and me, and getting it on, as Sano would occasionally suggest. She realized with a start that she never did quite understood what Sano meant by that. But, oh, well, she'll find out soon enough, won't she? And out of nowhere, a small smile appeared on Kaoru's lips.
MEGUMI
She tapped her foot impatiently. What was taking the tanuki girl so long? She had made it clear when she spoke to her earlier. Outside, midnight. Did she stutter when she said that? No, she didn't think so.
"Megumi-san, are you sure you told Kaoru-san that we're supposed to meet here?" Misao asked frowning.
"Of course I did. I swear to God, Sano's lack of direction is beginning to rub on everyone!" Megumi said gritting her teeth. She already had her speech prepared. She had thought about it long and hard. Had considered all the possibilities and had decided that yes, she had gone mad. Brilliant, beautiful, but mad. And if Kaoru wouldn't show up within five minutes then she was just going to exclude her from all of these!
"Stupid, baka, clueless, insensitive, rurouni!"
"Ah, there she is!" Misao announced.
Of course, Megumi thought. Kenshin probably found the tanuki girl sneaking out of the house. She tamped down the feeling of envy creeping up her spine. "You're late!" Megumi said as soon as Kaoru arrived.
"I am not in a very pleasant mood right now, so whatever it is you're going to stay, spill." Kaoru said crossing her arms.
"What's wrong Kaoru-chan?" Misao asked walking towards the older girls.
"I'm going to murder someone." Kaoru answered curtly.
"Oh!" Misao exclaimed. Poor Himura-san!
"Ok, since everyone is here." Megumi paused and motion for the two girls to come closer. They formed a small tight circle underneath the tree. It was dark and one can't even see their shadows. There were hushed voices, some arguing can be heard and a few choice words from all the girls. Had Sano been here, he would've been so damn proud!
Misao was red in the face. She seemed to be struggling not to laugh.
Well, she better not laugh! Megumi thought. A cat fight between the three of them, in the middle of the night, would surely cause quite a stir.
"Is this a joke?" Misao declared, obviously crossing out her first choice for a reaction.
Megumi arched her eyebrows. "It makes perfect sense to me!" She turned towards the silent tanuki. "Kaoru, what do you think?" She was sure the tanuki girl would see the point. Kaoru always lacked grace but she had the imagination to make this plan work. "So?" She asked impatiently.
"Well...You might have a point there, although, really Megumi, are you serious?"
Megumi gritted her teeth. "Of course!" She had gone this far. There was no way she was backing down just because Misao and Kaoru thought she was crazy. Well maybe she was, but it wasn't her fault! At least not technically. It was all Sano's doing. Sano was the one who drove her to the edge. Sano was the one who wouldn't stop torturing her. Sano was…
'Stop thinking about him!' Her mind screeched.
"I don't know...it's sorta funny if you ask me..." Misao said her sea colored eyes sparkling with the idea.
Funny? No, that wasn't what she'd call her plan. Definitely not funny. "Will the two of you just listen. You should be thankful that I am giving you my precious advice. I have been there before. I know what I'm taking about."
"Granted that you are a bit older" Kaoru said nodding thoughtfully, "but you're still...well you know...single..."
Megumi rolled her eyes. She let the "older" comment pass. There were more important things to discuss. "That was my choice ok? I am only concerned for the two of you. You're not getting any younger, you need to find you're mates!"
"Had Sano forced you to drink tonight?" Kaoru asked sounding alarmed. This was so unlike the Megumi she knew. Something had forced her to be this... this reckless.
"No!" Megumi said. "Why does everything have to do with Sano? Sano this! Sano that! It's driving me nuts!" She shut her mouth immediately and then paused to take a few deep breaths.
Ooops. She didn't want to think about Sano. She didn't want to think what had gotten to her to make her conceive such a harebrained plan, but by God, if this worked then... "Ok, Misao, what have you been doing to get Aoshi's attention?" She asked raising her eyebrows.
"Um...well, I..." Misao began clearly uncomfortable. She twisted her hands and tried to say something.
"Megumi! That's a personal question!" Kaoru protested.
Megumi turned to her. "You, I don't need to ask. I see you do it everyday. You bludgeon him, thinking he'd notice you. Pretty primitive. But what you don't see is that you don't need to do anything at all to make him notice you, he's already all putty in your hand! Kami-sama, it's so obvious I have to keep wondering if the two of you are just blind or plain stupid!"
Kaoru had her jaws hanging open. "First of all, I do not bludgeon him... I just... ok, so I've hit him a couple of times before, and putty? in my hand? If you only knew...."
"Yeah, whatever." Megumi interrupted waving her hands. "Misao?"
"I still don't see the point nor the basis for it." Misao said in a voice so un-Misao-like of her. She seemed to be seriously contemplating the idea, but needed some pushing.
Megumi rolled her eyes. "Basis? What do you need statistics?" Megumi said haughtily. "Ask any woman in the street, what's the biggest and most vulnerable thing that a man have..."
"Me-gu-mi! I don't think Misao needs to hear this!" Kaoru half shouted in shock. "I don't thin I even need to hear this!"
Misao ignored Kaoru. "What?" The girl asked trying to sound calm and composed.
But Megumi can clearly hear the excitement in the girl's voice. Clearly, the kid was in her, 'I'm-an adult,-I-can-handle-this' mode. Megumi felt a twinge of pride. She stared at the two girls. "Their ego."
Kaoru sighed, visibly relaxing. Misao looked on blankly. "So?"
"So we hit them there!" Megumi said viciously, as though she was actually hitting those egos now.
"We?" Kaoru asked, a small twinkle in her eyes.
Megumi ignored her. "You two are clearly getting nowhere with Aoshi and Kenshin respectively. Please, I've had enough of the -samas, and -donos and the oros"
"As you're still stuck with "Foxy!" and "Rooster!" Kaoru pointed out glaring at Megumi.
Megumi returned the glare. "Are you saying that I am pinning for the Rooster Head Punk?"
"You said that, I didn't." Kaoru said shrugging.
"I could have Kenshin if I really wanted." Megumi said archly, trying on a different tactic.
"Oh that's so mature!" Misao said sarcastically, looking pleased with getting to say all the heavy words, such as 'maturity'.
Megumi smiled. Sweet innocent Misao just took her bait.
"You can't get Sano so you sink your paws into another man. Just don't get anywhere near my Aoshi-sama!" Misao declared. "Or you'd be looking for trouble."
"Maybe you're just chasing the wrong guy. Maybe I'm the one who should be chasing him." Megumi added. "What if Aoshi isn't interested in you? Are you going to wait for him for forever? Live all alone, following him around like a puppy."
Misao thought about this long and hard. The girl frowned.
Ha! Right where I want you! Megumi thought. She had guessed that this had been plaguing Misao's mind. And now, to play my cards right, "What if there's some other guy out there that is meant for you? One that would notice you and chase after you." She paused long enough for Misao to process what she had just said.
"Meaning we look for other willing men?" Misao asked crinkling her nose in mild disgust.
"I'm not going to run around town flirting with the male population and going home feeling... empty!" Kaoru suddenly declared
Ever the hopeless romantic, Megumi thought. I am so trough being a romantic sap. It's time for slyness. It's time to show Sagara who he's messing up with. She looked at the two young girls again. "We're not going to look that far." She raised her eyebrows suggestively.
The two younger girls stood still for a moment and then both gasped in surprise as her words sink in.
"No way." Kaoru said shaking her head.
Megumi sighed. "It's just a game. Men do this all the time, why can't we? What's there to lose?"
"Oh I don't know, our dignity, maybe?" Misao offered. "Aoshi is the one for me! I'm sure of it." Her voice quavered a little.
"And I'm saying that you might not be so sure. You yourself sound doubtful and I know that you know it." Megumi paused and then smiling slyly she raised her eye brows and said in a low well measured voice, "Consider this: this plan is the perfect opportunity to prove me wrong. What's there to lose? Nothing. If the plan works then we'd all be happy with the men of our dreams *and* choice..." There was a challenge in her voice that Misao and Kaoru easily picked up and took interest in. Ha! Got ya! Megumi thought, smiling to herself. Ah, Takani, you have not lost your touch at all!
"Huh..." Kaoru began nodding her head thoughtfully.
"Huh what?" Megumi asked smiling knowingly. Ensnared, caught, these two are so easy!
"Huh," Kaoru smiled tilting her head towards Megumi. "I heard that 'we' again."
Maybe I underestimated them a little, Megumi thought frowning. She gritted her teeth. What the hell! "Fine! I'm in too. And yes, I'm going to get that damn rooster, by hook or by hook!" And then that foxy laughter again. She stopped abruptly. "We meet here tomorrow night. Tell me if you're in or out." She said. Misao and Kaoru grunted in reply. "Was that a 'yes'?" She didn't bother to wait for their replies. "So, ladies, we've got ourselves a plan." She said triumphantly.
"Seems like it." Kaoru said cringing inwardly, asking herself what she had gotten herself into.
" I'm going to prove you" Misao pointed at Megumi, "wrong!" and the oni disappeared into the night, enveloped by the shadows.
"I think you got her a little too worked up." Kaoru said.
"Did I? Then good. The men would never know what him them!" And with that, Megumi walked away leaving Kaoru underneath the tree.
End chapter 5
Ehehehe...so how was it? I know it was pretty far fetched, but hey, it's a fic right? Please feel free to tell me what you think. Did it suck? Did it make enough sense? Should I continue with this madness? Feedback please! Thanks!
Chapter 5 - Femme Fatales
Author's note:
Sorry if the chapters are coming in slow. Been busy with school, but I do promise to try and upload as soon as I can. I hope you're all enjoying this. Thanks so much for the feedbacks. Well, further apologies later. On with the fic.
Femme Fatales
MISAO
The Aoiya was bathed in the yellow light of the full moon. It was a quite night, with clear skies and few stars. The wind was soft and cool and in all aspect it seemed like a normal evening, free of noise and chaos, a complete contrast from last night. The Aoiya was quite big. Bigger than Kaoru's home in fact. The back yard was wide and had enough space to accommodate probably a hundred ninjas or so and Misao had seen this lot filled with the dark suited men and women, their shadows dancing by the brown soil. It had been a long time ago, but her memory of it was clear as if it had just happened yesterday.
She was perched on one of the taller trees that surrounded the Aoiya. She loved it here. From her position she could see the whole house and even farther into the town, where the little houses seemed to throb as the lights flickered and glowed from a far. She could see shadows, silhouette of few men and women who were still awake inside their homes. It was like watching a shadow play, except there were no words, only silence and the occasional rustling of the leaves.
She sighed. Dinner was miserable. Everyone seemed to have something on their minds, including her. They had been silent the whole time and it was only Himura who seemed quite adamant to talk and start up a conversation. Which was a little odd, because she was so used to hearing Kaoru and Sano's voice as Kenshin would just occasionally say a few polite words. Apparently, he had chanced upon his shishou at the market.
Lunch with Hiko and his ego. Miso scrunched up her nose in mild distaste. She remembered him well enough to know that Kenshin probably hadn't enjoyed being with his master for the whole day. She wished Kenshin had stayed. At least she could've talked to him. She had tried talking to Kaoru earlier, but the older girl seemed to be too distracted so she had left her to look for either Sano or Megumi. She did find Sano but their talk had been brief. Aoshi-sama had materialized out of nowhere and from then on, thoughts of Sano and his existence faded. It was as if it was only her and Aoshi on that room. She shivered pleasantly with thoughts of Aoshi. It wasn't just a silly childhood infatuation. She was sure of. She had no way of knowing of course, but she was sure of it and that was that. No sense in questioning one's heart.
She sighed. If only Aoshi-sama knew how she felt. If only he knew that every time she heard his name it gave her little heart attacks and butterflies inside her stomach and warmth on her cheeks. She giggled at the girliness of it all.
"What are you doing up there?"
She looked down, startled. She squinted up her eyes and saw the raised eyebrows and the red lips. "Megumi?" She asked not sure what the lady doctor was doing outside when she should be asleep. Hell, everybody should be asleep, including her. Most especially her. The crap Okina would give her if he finds out she was here.
"Get down." It was an order.
"Why?" She asked defiantly. Nobody orders her around!
"Because young ladies do not go climbing up trees in the middle of the night. It's creepy." Megumi said haughtily.
"I'm an oni. I do this all the time. I trained for this." She said frowning. Megumi would never understand the skills necessary in becoming an Oni.
"Well, it's still creepy. Now get down, I have to tell you something important."
"Why can't you tell me while I'm up here?" She asked.
"Because it's like I'm talking to a damn tree?" Megumi offered.
Misao sighed. She jumped off the branch without any noise and landed gracefully in front of Megumi. She glanced at Megumi and was pleased to see the lady doctor looking at her with slight awe. Impressed much? She asked herself. She decided to play it cool and so did Megumi. It made her feel as though they were two ladies conspiring underneath the moon. Female espionage was another obsession of her aside from Aoshi that is. "Well, what is it?"
"We have to wait for Kaoru first." Megumi said.
Misao tilted her head. Something was up. Something very big was up. Her spine tingled with anticipation and her the little wheels inside her head started turning. She wondered what Megumi was up to. She hoped it involves a lot of fun and well, men too.
Men. Only one name came into her mind. Aoshi-sama.
KAORU
It was dark around her. She strained to hear voices outside but there was only silence and the light chirping of crickets. She stared at the ceiling and tried to decide whether or not she should heed Megumi's call for a secret meeting. Girls only. At least that was what Megumi had said. She frowned, what on earth could the fox lady have in mind and why do they have to meet in secret about it, in the middle of the friggin' night?
'Well, you wouldn't know if you stay here in bed' Her mind snarled at her.
"But it's stupid!" She mumbled out loud.
'And you're dying to find out what this great stupidity is.'
She cursed. Great, now she has to deal with her smart assed self. The one that was never rational and at most time, the one who was always dead right. She shook her head. She listened some more. She could hear Sano snoring from somewhere. It was short and loud, with brief interval of senseless mumbling. She rolled her eyes. She wouldn't be surprised if she found out that Sano was sleeping in the farthest room, away from all of them. Sano was a loud mouth awake, why would it be different if he were asleep?
'And yes, you are desperate. Now get your ass out of that futon Kamiya and get it over with!'
She tightened her hold on her yukata and groaned. "I am going to regret this." She mumbled.
'Sure.'
Taking in a deep breath, she scrambled to get out of her futon. "I'm going. I'm going, happy now?" She asked the empty room.
There was silence. Of course.
"Yes." She mumbled after a minute accepting her defeat. She had a mental vision of herself, clear blue eyes and smug smile.
She opened her door cautiously, reminded of the scene this morning. She was a little surprised and disappointed that Kenshin wasn't sleeping by her door. 'Oh, well, at least he wasn't giving her the "fatherly-attention" as she so called it. She closed the door as silently as she could and started her way out of the hall. Her heart was beating against her chest. For a moment she could hear the gossip for tomorrow. Okon and Omasu whispering by the kitchen, "Kamiya-san went out late last night. I wonder where she went. Such a strange girl she is, that one."
She winced inwardly. She was going to kill Megumi. She held her breath and was feeling already ecstatic that she was now almost out of the house without any misfortune befalling on her. She slid her foot inches more towards the door and in no time she'd be outside. She needed to get a life. One that's normal and wouldn't include late night meeting, she thought to herself.
"Kaoru-dono? Where are you going?"
She sighed not in the least bit surprised. "Of course." she muttered darkly. She spun around, already on a defensive mode. "Nowhere Kenshin! I am just going to the bathroom and pee! Are you following me? Why are you following me? You think I'm a little kid who needs someone to hold her hand while I... I..." she paused there, taking in big gulps of air. Damn that Kenshin. Damn his compulsive needs to protect her. It was sweet and all, but geesh, this was getting ridiculous.
Kenshin'e eyes had widened. "Ugh, of course not Kaoru-dono. I was just... Sesha wa..."
Kaoru rolled her eyes and filled in the rest. "Sesha wa worried about you. Yes, fine. I'm fine. See?" She leaned forward and in a grave voice, she whispered, " If I don't get out of the bathroom in two minutes send a search party." She paused as soon as the final word was out of her mouth. Aw, crap! She felt a little guilty. She hadn't spoken to Kenshin that way. Ever. But someone has to do something. She wasn't going to spend the rest of her life being treated like... like... like a damn porcelain doll! It was laughable. She a master, of the Kamiya Kasshin technique, a sensei of an esteemed, well not exactly popular, but it was still respected dojo, dammit! Totally unacceptable!
Kenshin looked taken aback for a moment. And then he smiled. His usual smile that seemed happy. Kaoru had to swallow a lump on her throat. You never show your true smile Kenshin. Do you know how much that hurts? That you pretend to be happy and carefree with me when in truth... Kaoru looked away and listened to Kenshin's customary apology. They've been doing this since the first time they met. She had already memorized Kenshin's apology.
"Gomen nasai Kaoru-dono. It's not like that all. I am just worried about you. Please forgive this unworthy one."
She took a deep breath and turned towards Kenshin. She walked towards him. Her steps were light and silent. She was in front of him within seconds. If it hadn't been this dark, she could've clearly seen Kenshin's eyes. She would kill, she thought, to see his eyes. Were they dark and intense? She would never know. She sighed and leaned forward. "Gomen Kenshin. Please do not worry. I am fine." She didn't know what made her do it, or for that matter why Kenshin didn't stop her, but she leaned forward and kissed his cheeks. Really, it was just her lips brushing his smooth skin for a fraction of a second. But still, dammit, it was a KISS! She felt dizzy for a moment. She drew back and tried very hard not to faint.
Kenshin was quick to draw away, suddenly getting his lightning fast reflexes back. "Eh...oro...eh... you should go to, ugh, the bathroom de gozaru. Oyasumi" He said bowing. He stood ram-rod straight for a moment, seemingly unsure of what to do and then he quickly turned and fled the scene of the crime.
Kaoru stood still for a moment. She blinked, watching as Kenshin's shadow merged into the dark, disappearing quickly and quietly. She went out of the Aoiya without any effort, knowing that Kenshin would be hiding in his room. She hoped it wouldn't be for the rest of his life, because she just kissed him and... Oh. My. God. She froze as everything started to sink in.
It was so silent outside. And she could swear that she could hear her heart beating a hundred times over the normal rate. She clutched at her chest, suddenly afraid that her heart would jump out and follow Kenshin into his room, anywhere, everywhere, as long as it was with him. As long as she was with him.
Oh, God. I kissed him. I kissed him... she repeated the words over and over, as if doing so would make it more real. I kissed him, she repeated for the hundred and fifty-sixth time. She smiled pleasantly now in hurry to meet up with Misao and Megumi. She could hear a new rumor spreading: "Oh, last night, Kamiya-san kissed Himura-san! What a stranger girl she is, that one."
And then, the scene replayed itself in her mind. She stopped dead on her tracks, realizing something very important.
I kissed him... and he ran away!
She grew angry at this and began stomping her way towards the backyard. Stubborn baka rurouni! Whatever it was that Megumi was planning, I'm gonna make sure that it will involve Kenshin and me, and getting it on, as Sano would occasionally suggest. She realized with a start that she never did quite understood what Sano meant by that. But, oh, well, she'll find out soon enough, won't she? And out of nowhere, a small smile appeared on Kaoru's lips.
MEGUMI
She tapped her foot impatiently. What was taking the tanuki girl so long? She had made it clear when she spoke to her earlier. Outside, midnight. Did she stutter when she said that? No, she didn't think so.
"Megumi-san, are you sure you told Kaoru-san that we're supposed to meet here?" Misao asked frowning.
"Of course I did. I swear to God, Sano's lack of direction is beginning to rub on everyone!" Megumi said gritting her teeth. She already had her speech prepared. She had thought about it long and hard. Had considered all the possibilities and had decided that yes, she had gone mad. Brilliant, beautiful, but mad. And if Kaoru wouldn't show up within five minutes then she was just going to exclude her from all of these!
"Stupid, baka, clueless, insensitive, rurouni!"
"Ah, there she is!" Misao announced.
Of course, Megumi thought. Kenshin probably found the tanuki girl sneaking out of the house. She tamped down the feeling of envy creeping up her spine. "You're late!" Megumi said as soon as Kaoru arrived.
"I am not in a very pleasant mood right now, so whatever it is you're going to stay, spill." Kaoru said crossing her arms.
"What's wrong Kaoru-chan?" Misao asked walking towards the older girls.
"I'm going to murder someone." Kaoru answered curtly.
"Oh!" Misao exclaimed. Poor Himura-san!
"Ok, since everyone is here." Megumi paused and motion for the two girls to come closer. They formed a small tight circle underneath the tree. It was dark and one can't even see their shadows. There were hushed voices, some arguing can be heard and a few choice words from all the girls. Had Sano been here, he would've been so damn proud!
Misao was red in the face. She seemed to be struggling not to laugh.
Well, she better not laugh! Megumi thought. A cat fight between the three of them, in the middle of the night, would surely cause quite a stir.
"Is this a joke?" Misao declared, obviously crossing out her first choice for a reaction.
Megumi arched her eyebrows. "It makes perfect sense to me!" She turned towards the silent tanuki. "Kaoru, what do you think?" She was sure the tanuki girl would see the point. Kaoru always lacked grace but she had the imagination to make this plan work. "So?" She asked impatiently.
"Well...You might have a point there, although, really Megumi, are you serious?"
Megumi gritted her teeth. "Of course!" She had gone this far. There was no way she was backing down just because Misao and Kaoru thought she was crazy. Well maybe she was, but it wasn't her fault! At least not technically. It was all Sano's doing. Sano was the one who drove her to the edge. Sano was the one who wouldn't stop torturing her. Sano was…
'Stop thinking about him!' Her mind screeched.
"I don't know...it's sorta funny if you ask me..." Misao said her sea colored eyes sparkling with the idea.
Funny? No, that wasn't what she'd call her plan. Definitely not funny. "Will the two of you just listen. You should be thankful that I am giving you my precious advice. I have been there before. I know what I'm taking about."
"Granted that you are a bit older" Kaoru said nodding thoughtfully, "but you're still...well you know...single..."
Megumi rolled her eyes. She let the "older" comment pass. There were more important things to discuss. "That was my choice ok? I am only concerned for the two of you. You're not getting any younger, you need to find you're mates!"
"Had Sano forced you to drink tonight?" Kaoru asked sounding alarmed. This was so unlike the Megumi she knew. Something had forced her to be this... this reckless.
"No!" Megumi said. "Why does everything have to do with Sano? Sano this! Sano that! It's driving me nuts!" She shut her mouth immediately and then paused to take a few deep breaths.
Ooops. She didn't want to think about Sano. She didn't want to think what had gotten to her to make her conceive such a harebrained plan, but by God, if this worked then... "Ok, Misao, what have you been doing to get Aoshi's attention?" She asked raising her eyebrows.
"Um...well, I..." Misao began clearly uncomfortable. She twisted her hands and tried to say something.
"Megumi! That's a personal question!" Kaoru protested.
Megumi turned to her. "You, I don't need to ask. I see you do it everyday. You bludgeon him, thinking he'd notice you. Pretty primitive. But what you don't see is that you don't need to do anything at all to make him notice you, he's already all putty in your hand! Kami-sama, it's so obvious I have to keep wondering if the two of you are just blind or plain stupid!"
Kaoru had her jaws hanging open. "First of all, I do not bludgeon him... I just... ok, so I've hit him a couple of times before, and putty? in my hand? If you only knew...."
"Yeah, whatever." Megumi interrupted waving her hands. "Misao?"
"I still don't see the point nor the basis for it." Misao said in a voice so un-Misao-like of her. She seemed to be seriously contemplating the idea, but needed some pushing.
Megumi rolled her eyes. "Basis? What do you need statistics?" Megumi said haughtily. "Ask any woman in the street, what's the biggest and most vulnerable thing that a man have..."
"Me-gu-mi! I don't think Misao needs to hear this!" Kaoru half shouted in shock. "I don't thin I even need to hear this!"
Misao ignored Kaoru. "What?" The girl asked trying to sound calm and composed.
But Megumi can clearly hear the excitement in the girl's voice. Clearly, the kid was in her, 'I'm-an adult,-I-can-handle-this' mode. Megumi felt a twinge of pride. She stared at the two girls. "Their ego."
Kaoru sighed, visibly relaxing. Misao looked on blankly. "So?"
"So we hit them there!" Megumi said viciously, as though she was actually hitting those egos now.
"We?" Kaoru asked, a small twinkle in her eyes.
Megumi ignored her. "You two are clearly getting nowhere with Aoshi and Kenshin respectively. Please, I've had enough of the -samas, and -donos and the oros"
"As you're still stuck with "Foxy!" and "Rooster!" Kaoru pointed out glaring at Megumi.
Megumi returned the glare. "Are you saying that I am pinning for the Rooster Head Punk?"
"You said that, I didn't." Kaoru said shrugging.
"I could have Kenshin if I really wanted." Megumi said archly, trying on a different tactic.
"Oh that's so mature!" Misao said sarcastically, looking pleased with getting to say all the heavy words, such as 'maturity'.
Megumi smiled. Sweet innocent Misao just took her bait.
"You can't get Sano so you sink your paws into another man. Just don't get anywhere near my Aoshi-sama!" Misao declared. "Or you'd be looking for trouble."
"Maybe you're just chasing the wrong guy. Maybe I'm the one who should be chasing him." Megumi added. "What if Aoshi isn't interested in you? Are you going to wait for him for forever? Live all alone, following him around like a puppy."
Misao thought about this long and hard. The girl frowned.
Ha! Right where I want you! Megumi thought. She had guessed that this had been plaguing Misao's mind. And now, to play my cards right, "What if there's some other guy out there that is meant for you? One that would notice you and chase after you." She paused long enough for Misao to process what she had just said.
"Meaning we look for other willing men?" Misao asked crinkling her nose in mild disgust.
"I'm not going to run around town flirting with the male population and going home feeling... empty!" Kaoru suddenly declared
Ever the hopeless romantic, Megumi thought. I am so trough being a romantic sap. It's time for slyness. It's time to show Sagara who he's messing up with. She looked at the two young girls again. "We're not going to look that far." She raised her eyebrows suggestively.
The two younger girls stood still for a moment and then both gasped in surprise as her words sink in.
"No way." Kaoru said shaking her head.
Megumi sighed. "It's just a game. Men do this all the time, why can't we? What's there to lose?"
"Oh I don't know, our dignity, maybe?" Misao offered. "Aoshi is the one for me! I'm sure of it." Her voice quavered a little.
"And I'm saying that you might not be so sure. You yourself sound doubtful and I know that you know it." Megumi paused and then smiling slyly she raised her eye brows and said in a low well measured voice, "Consider this: this plan is the perfect opportunity to prove me wrong. What's there to lose? Nothing. If the plan works then we'd all be happy with the men of our dreams *and* choice..." There was a challenge in her voice that Misao and Kaoru easily picked up and took interest in. Ha! Got ya! Megumi thought, smiling to herself. Ah, Takani, you have not lost your touch at all!
"Huh..." Kaoru began nodding her head thoughtfully.
"Huh what?" Megumi asked smiling knowingly. Ensnared, caught, these two are so easy!
"Huh," Kaoru smiled tilting her head towards Megumi. "I heard that 'we' again."
Maybe I underestimated them a little, Megumi thought frowning. She gritted her teeth. What the hell! "Fine! I'm in too. And yes, I'm going to get that damn rooster, by hook or by hook!" And then that foxy laughter again. She stopped abruptly. "We meet here tomorrow night. Tell me if you're in or out." She said. Misao and Kaoru grunted in reply. "Was that a 'yes'?" She didn't bother to wait for their replies. "So, ladies, we've got ourselves a plan." She said triumphantly.
"Seems like it." Kaoru said cringing inwardly, asking herself what she had gotten herself into.
" I'm going to prove you" Misao pointed at Megumi, "wrong!" and the oni disappeared into the night, enveloped by the shadows.
"I think you got her a little too worked up." Kaoru said.
"Did I? Then good. The men would never know what him them!" And with that, Megumi walked away leaving Kaoru underneath the tree.
End chapter 5
Ehehehe...so how was it? I know it was pretty far fetched, but hey, it's a fic right? Please feel free to tell me what you think. Did it suck? Did it make enough sense? Should I continue with this madness? Feedback please! Thanks!