Note: Kenshin is Battousai in this, because he has to be tough in the business world. But I will make him have some personalities of the Rurouni, just that I like his eyes amber. Therefore, his eyes will be amber for this fic.
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters.
Thanks for to all that reviewed!
Chapter Two: A Warning and a Raise
¤¤¤¤¤
Kaoru rushed to the office to get all that she needed. Nakamura told her that she had to be an hour early to the office everyday; so she could get Mr. Himura's folders ready for the day.
There were a lot of things in which she had to remember too. For example, she had to remember to take notes on meetings and not say a single word unless she was addressed to. Then if she were to ever have any free time, she was supposed to use that time to make sure that she kept her employer happy. She even had to make sure that he had a fully planned schedule of their day on his desk every morning so he wouldn't forget and if he did, she had to make sure that she had it memorize for him! Kaoru could have sworn that she was going to be acting more like a slave than a lawyer from now on.
Getting her morning coffee and the morning items: the documents, paperwork, and contracts; she would be getting the notes after their first meeting.
Kaoru placed everything in order as Soujiro filled her in on everything that she could possibly need to know to survive at M.R.S.. At least she wasn't the only one that came in early to please someone.
"As I was saying, if Sano acts foolish, then that means that he's in a good mood. He is the only one who isn't seriously all of the time. The other CEOs always are. And I'll warn you now about Saitoh's crude comments. You won't have to worry about Aoshi. Oh, and Mr. Himura is deadly serious at times. He never raises his voice, so when he's angry, he kind of goes into a whisper. Don't ever tick him off when he's like that. You'll see what I mean later, when you get to know them better.
"Aoshi and Saitoh have new secretaries and they'll be coming in and out at times to give them their notes and phone calls," said Soujiro, as they walked down the hall, wearing his ever present smile.
"Who are the new secretaries?" asked Kaoru, her voice full of hope at the thought of Megumi and Misao working in the same building as her. She didn't get a chance to talk to them about how their interview went since she was so busy getting ready that she ended up falling to sleep the moment she got home.
"They're sisters I believe. They have the same last name. But they don't look alike; maybe they're cousins. Aoshi's is Misao Takani, and Saitoh's is Megumi Takani. If you ask me, they seem okay. I just hope they can handle their bosses.
"Another thing is that Saitoh has a wife named Tokio. She comes here sometimes and she's really kind. Even though her husband is the complete opposite. As they say, opposites attract.
"One more important thing; Master Shishio isn't here right now, but he will be. I actually work for him, but he works for Mr. Himura. Master Shishio has a wife too, her name is Yumi. You don't want to ever talk about him. He's Mr. Himura's top man. So that means that you really don't want to get on his nerves either. Though what you really really have to worry about is accidentally getting on the boss's nerves," said Soujiro with a smile.
Kaoru paled at his words. It was going to be tough getting use to all of this. But nonetheless she was glad that she would at least be able to see her friends in between breaks.
A few minutes later they walked into the meeting room, where Soujiro gave her the company agreements to look at.
"Since Master Hiko has placed his full trust in you, you are to look over these agreements that we've made with other corporations. If you see any mistakes or details that will bring us down, then you are to report to Mr. Himura and show him so he can fix it before anything happens. If you see what will profit us, then show him as well. We sometimes redraft the contracts, which mean we'll have to sign the new contract with the other companies all over again," said Soujiro as he walked into another office that seemed the same size as the meeting room.
Kaoru skimmed the first contract, noticing that they were all made for the company's profit.
"This here, is Mr. Himura's office. You'll be spending most of your time following him, or in this office. Another thing, I hope Nakamura has told you, but you will be staying at a hotel that is close to here. It's all paid for and we've covered your financial problems and health care. Your entire daily needs and clothing are already bought and at your new home.
"Before you go yelling at me for not telling you, you have to realize that you will also be accompanying Mr. Himura on business trips. You are to be ready to work 24/7/365. But we do get vacation, but that's after about a year of working or so. You only have 25 sick days. But that does not mean that you don't have to do the paperwork. That only means you don't have to show up here. I know that it's a little too much, but the money you'll make is great. Then you get holiday bonuses as well," said Soujiro smiling happily.
Maybe this wasn't such a good idea to work for the largest corporation in Japan. Thought Kaoru, as she heard all of this, but she only nodded at the part that benefited her.
They walked down the hall and then stopped at a pair of black doors that had the words Kenshin Himura's Office written in gold in the center of it.
"Good luck" said Soujiro as he opened the doors of the office for her.
"Thanks," said Kaoru almost in a whisper as she stepped in.
Soujiro closed the doors and Kaoru slowly made her way to her new boss. He was seated in a black leather chair and was facing the windows, his back to her.
The room was twice the size of the meeting room and there were filing cabinets located behind her, along with shelves filled with binders of previous documents. There were lamps all around the room and it was furnished with black leather furniture. What caught her eye though, was that the window her boss was facing showed a perfect view of Tokyo.
"Mr. Himura, I'm Kamiya Kaoru and I'm here for..." started Kaoru.
"I know what you're here for. What do you think about the contracts that were made by my old personal assistant?" asked Kenshin in cold voice.
"Well Mr. Himura, I believe that if I... or someone else drafted this contract in a certain way... we could profit the corporation a lot more," said Kaoru as she looked through the papers.
"Another so called 'professional lawyer'," said Kenshin as he sighed.
"What's that suppose to mean? I'm only doing my job," snapped Kaoru, she didn't like his tone at all and she didn't like to be insulted. She never could control her temper.
Kenshin turned to face her and intertwined his fingers on his desk, which was covered with the latest computer, a stash of pencils, pens, and piles of quotas and contracts. The black table was neatly organized and placed in the center of the room.
Staring at his personal assistant, Kenshin saw her in a new light; she wasn't as innocent as she looked. No one ever dared talk to him like that or even in that tone. His amber eyes fixed on her burning blue flames. He smirked; this girl wasn't your average woman.
Kaoru glared at him defiantly, she refused to be belittled like that. She was caught off guard when he suddenly chuckled.
"What's so amusing?" demanded Kaoru, angered that he would laugh at her when she was so serious.
"Show me what you mean when you say that we can profit this corporation," ordered Kenshin seriously.
Kaoru took the document that she was talking about and showed it to him.
"Come next to me and point it out. I can't read your mind," said Kenshin calmly.
Kaoru fumed, but quickly did as she was told.
"I suggest that we change the document saying that the other side doesn't have to pay until next year, but they have to pay the interest to the fullest. Of course we'll need to wait a year to get the money, but we'll make triple the money the company owes us, rather than just a few hundred thousands if we get it all now," said Kaoru as she pointed to the paragraph that she thought they should alter.
Kenshin looked it over seriously, trying to see if it really was a good idea to do such a thing as not get money from a company for a year.
"If we do, it won't make our corporation go bankrupt, I assure you. It'll be completely legal, and because this other company isn't giving us a lot of support anyways, no one would care if it goes bankrupt," added Kaoru quickly, so he'd get what she was going at.
"Fine. Rewrite it and show it to me," said Kenshin finally as he looked at her.
"Me? But don't..." began Kaoru, startled at his request.
"You did it for Takeda, why can't you do it for me?" asked Kenshin calmly.
"Sir, I came here to only advice you as a personal assistant and lawyer," said Kaoru. She really didn't want to do all of the work again like she did for Kanryu.
"I'll pay you 400,000 a year then," said Kenshin calmly as he turned to look out the window again.
Kaoru gaped at the amount of money that he just handed out.
"Sir shouldn't..." began Kaoru again.
"Are you that stubborn?" asked Kenshin as he turned to face her again. He was quite shocked to say the least that she didn't want that type of money. He suddenly started to think that Takeda must have paid her a fortune. Or was it that she was just lazy?
Kaoru started to fume; she had to control herself from snapping back at him. Her job was at stake here.
"What I was about to say, Mr. Himura, was that you shouldn't be paying me so much. But if you are willing, then I'll take it," said Kaoru grinning devilishly.
It was his turn to glare at her; damn she was good, and too smart for her own good.
"I like you; you're the only employer that has ever done anything like that. You got a raise on the first day of work too," said Kenshin smiling.
"I'll take that as a compliment," said Kaoru smiling.
Maybe this will work out after all. Thought the two.
¤¤¤¤¤
Kaoru was showing Kenshin more problems on the paperwork and showing him possible solutions when Sanosuke came waltzing on in.
Ignoring their stares, Sano only smiled at them before slouching into a large leather chair in front of them. Tie loose and toothpick in mouth, Sano grinned at the pair mischievously.
It was amazing how such a person had managed to get such a well paying job.
Kenshin waved his hand at the work and Kaoru quickly organized it before placing them back in the folder.
Remembering what Nakamura had told her, Kaoru quickly stood to Kenshin's left.
Sano gave Kaoru a cocky grin, but all he received was a glare and a roll of eyes from the woman.
"What is it Sano?" asked Kenshin, his voice indicating that he was already annoyed.
"I need a secretary too. Why is it that Aoshi and Saitoh got the hot ones while I'm stuck with nothing?" whined Sano as he frowned at his friend.
Kaoru's eye twitched. She hoped that he was much more serious to work with.
"I demand the hottest, smartest girl there is to be with me at all times," said Sanosuke grinning.
Or maybe not. Thought Kaoru as her face faltered.
"Sanosuke Sagara, what in the world are you thinking? We are here for business, not to have girls all over us for our money," snapped Kenshin.
"But you got a beautiful woman next to you whenever you want. Missy here is probably the most beautiful one you ever got. Why can't I get one?" demanded Sanosuke, acting more and more like a spoiled bratd.
Kaoru blushed while Kenshin closed his eyes and shook his head.
"It's business terms Sagara, not personal benefits," said Kenshin, glaring at the taller man.
Sanosuke just shrugged it off and said calmly, "I see. You're using the excuse that your uncle told her to be with you most of the time so you can always have a hot chick with you in public. Such a sly dog." Sanosuke shook his head and tsked.
"Look you pervert, it's all business, nothing more," said Kaoru through gritted teeth as she glared at him for thinking that she was some type of whore.
"Just joking Missy. You don't have to kill me. It was a compliment," said Sanosuke as he raised both hands up in defense while she glared death at him.
Kenshin coughed, causing Kaoru to blush before looking away.
"If you are done Sano, please go back to work," said Kenshin, waving a dismissive hand at the door.
"Hey, if you get tired of her attitude, can I have her?" asked Sanosuke as he stood up.
"Out," barked Kenshin, glaring a promise of death at him.
Sanosuke then jetted out of the office before the redhead could do anything to get him out of his current position as one of the CEOs of M.R.S..
"You have to remember to be careful around Sano. Now where were we?" asked Kenshin turning to her.
Kaoru showed him the files again and taught him a few ways to sneak in a few words so that the company would gain more money and at the same time make sure that contract remained legal. It was a way to get money without all of the court business. That was how she helped Takeda Inc. become so successful before its tragic fall from the loss of their best employer.
"Where did you learn to be so clever? You've completely sugar coated the contract so it would seem as if they other side was benefiting, not us," said Kenshin curiously as he watched her file all of the contracts into his filing cabinet.
"It comes with the job of being a lawyer. You have to appear like an angel on the outside and make sure no one knows of your inner demons. Isn't that how the business world works too?" asked Kaoru innocently as she looked at him with a mischievous smile.
"Indeed it is, you should know by now baka deshi," said a cold voice from the doorway.
Immediately, the two straightened. Kenshin stood up from his chair and bowed lightly to Hiko.
"So, how was today's business?" asked Hiko as he took Kenshin's seat.
"We've revised most of the contracts for further profit. Other's we've managed to obtain a little extra from. Now we're working on future documents for our benefit," said Kenshin.
"Let me see some of this new work," said Hiko.
Kaoru stepped up and handed him the folder she was about to put away.
Hiko skimmed it over while the two in the back held their breath, hoping he would approve.
"That would mean we'd have to lose a bit of our annual profit for a year," said Hiko as he read the first order of business that they had discussed earlier.
"Yes sir, but we'd..." started Kaoru.
"We both decided that it was for the best," cut in Kenshin calmly.
Kaoru cocked an eyebrow at him, she was the one that suggested it and so she should take the downfall for it. She didn't want him to get yelled at.
"But it's worth it," said Hiko smiling pleasingly at them.
The two blinked at him.
"I knew that with her help you'd actually do something right. All of these documents and contracts help our corporation in ways I've never imagined. I knew that whatever you decided to do, it'd be for the best of the corporation. Good work," complimented Hiko.
The two let out a relieved sigh when they realized he wasn't going to yell at them.
The old CEO shook their hands and handed Kaoru back the folder. On his way out, Hiko bowed in respect before leaving them alone to their work.
Kenshin turned to Kaoru and smiled at her. She could only smiled back.
¤¤¤¤¤
Misao jumped up and down when she found out that she was actually going to work for Aoshi Shinomori. The hottest guy in the world, in her book at least. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw him in person and when he actually spoke to her. Even if it was to get him coffee.
Going to the lounge, she met an enraged Megumi. She was beating the life out a sugar bag.
"What's wrong Megumi?" asked Misao concerned as she stopped her cousin's actions, before she could tear the bag apart and spread the sugar all over the counter.
Seeing Megumi calm down, Misao let go of her cousin's hand.
"I got stuck with the worst boss in the world! Saitoh keeps complaining about things and this is the fifth cup of dark coffee today that he made me do over. His wife must be a goddess or something to be able to handle him," fumed Megumi as she finally tore the bag apart.
"Well unlike you, I got the best boss in the world, hottest too," said Misao happily.
"I hope Kaoru is having just as bad a day as I am," muttered Megumi grimly as she walked to the door with a cup in hand.
As she was heading out, Megumi nearly bumped into Sanosuke.
Luckily, none of the coffee spilled on her.
Megumi quickly faced the man that nearly made her make another cup of coffee.
"Watch it rooster head, this cup is hot. You nearly made me spill it," snapped Megumi angrily.
"Chill out kitsune," said Sanosuke, raising his hands in defense.
Megumi glared daggers at him and flipped her hair as she walked past him out the door.
"What's her problem?" asked Sanosuke as he got his own cup of coffee.
"She's just mad at her boss," said Misao with a shrug.
"That explains a lot. Who's your boss weasel girl?" asked Sano playfully.
"Shut up you baka rooster head," yelled Misao as she too walked out of the lounge.
Sanosuke just blinked at her and backed away from her as she passed him.
Woman could be very scary at times and it annoyed him how they could still look beautiful in their maddened state.
"I guess girls really don't like nick names. Darn, that's three girls that have dissed me today. I really need to find a way to get them to like me. Stupid Kenshin and his 'it's all about business ordeals'" cursed Sano at his lack of skill with woman.
¤¤¤¤¤
"Lunch. What do you want to eat?" asked Kenshin as they finished another deal.
"I don't really care as long as it doesn't have a lot of fat," said Kaoru, putting things away.
"You look like a model and you're on a diet? I really don't understand you women," said Kenshin shaking his head. It seemed like even the skinniest ones were on diets now a days.
"That's because you're a guy," said Kaoru rolling her eyes, though she blushed at his comment earlier.
"Okay. What about take-out?" asked Kenshin trying to think of something without too many calories. It was proving to be very difficult to find one.
"Too much fat," said Kaoru as she walked over to him.
"I'm a grown man, I need protein. Let's just get sushi," said Kenshin.
Kaoru rolled her eyes, but nodded in agreement.
Kenshin flipped out his cell and called the cafeteria on the first floor to bring him sushi.
It still amazed Kaoru that the cafeteria would actually have someone go get the food ordered from another place and then delivered it up to the purchaser. And because it was the owner of the entire corporation who was ordering, she was certain that they would have it ordered in a heartbeat and always made by the master chief's hands at the place that the food was ordered from.
"Don't you eat with your best men?" asked Kaoru curiously.
"That's only in meetings. About that, when is our next one?" asked Kenshin.
"Tomorrow at 9:00 in the morning," said Kaoru as she stood before him.
"You do know that I can contact you at any time of the day and you'd have to come right? No matter what it is that I call you for, since you are my lawyer and my personal assistant," stated Kenshin as he typed something into his cell phone.
Kaoru didn't like where this was going, but only nodded. Soujiro had warned her.
"Give me your cell phone," ordered Kenshin, it wasn't a choice; she handed it over.
For a moment he just stared at it, it wasn't as new as his was.
"We really need to get you a better cell phone. You know what, we need to get you a lot more things. Since your paycheck will most definitely pay for it. Forget it, I'll pay. We'll go after lunch. About that car that you have. Let's get you a new one too. My personal worker, that's with me most of the time, has to look nice," said Kenshin as he eyed her smiling.
"The other things I'm willing to do, but I won't change my appearance. Make-up isn't my thing," said Kaoru as she backed away from his gaze.
He blinked at her and said, "You're not wearing make-up? Wow. You're the first woman I've met that actually has natural beauty. I like you like this, don't change. Though we will have to change almost everything else," said Kenshin with a mischievous smile.
Kaoru cocked an eyebrow at him. It was going to be a long afternoon.