Disclaimer: Me no own RK.
On with the fic, and thanks for all of the reviews.
Chapter Five: Modeling? Part Two
"You... I... Why?" asked Kaoru confused as she looked at the magazine, that happened to have just been published yesterday, in her hands. It was May's issue.
"Well you looked better than all those other models," said Kenshin with a shrug.
Kaoru was in the front cover of the magazine in a very lightly covered outfit that showed nothing, yet enough for the imagination to pick up on.
She flipped through the magazine, and most of the ads had her picture, she just wanted to die on the spot. Why did this have to happen to her? Why? There were only a few ads with the other models, the group pictures, and the ones that she refused to do for the lack of clothing.
"Do you know that 1,000,000 of these are published a month? Do you know how many people read this? You..." began Kaoru, she just wanted to punch him across the Pacific.
"I'll just pay you extra," said Kenshin calmly.
"No. We paid the models, I don't even think that anyone bought this article. I look just terrible. That means that we've lost a lot of money. They're professionals, why didn't you use their photos. That's the point of hiring models," said Kaoru scanning the pages.
"It's no big deal. It was my decision, my uncle told me to choose the best ones, and yours were it. So I was only following orders," said Kenshin.
Kaoru glared at him, how she wanted to just strangle him.
"Besides, I think you look nice in them. You said to show you the pictures today, so here they are," said Kenshin with a grin.
"I didn't mean..." began Kaoru, but was cut off by Hiko's roar for Kenshin.
Kaoru was feeling unwell. Why did she get stuck with such a...jerk for a boss? No, he wasn't a jerk, he was some guy that was really getting on her nerves right now.
The two rushed into Hiko's office, and saw him glaring at them. He was angry, no that was an underestimate, he was enraged and furious. Katsura and Okita were seated on one of his sofas.
"Sit. The both of you," said Hiko, in a much too soft way, it made Kaoru shudder.
"Yes?" asked Kenshin calmly.
"Do you know that we paid those models, how much money? We were to use them on our magazine. If you wanted to use Miss Kamiya's pictures, then you should have said so, that way we didn't have to pay the models. Why didn't you use them?" asked Hiko, staring at his idiotic nephew, though his voice was all too calm.
"She didn't take them until after the shoot," said Kenshin.
Kaoru wished that a hole would open up and just swallow her, but that wasn't going to happen.
"Do you know that if we don't sell those magazines, we'll lose profit?" asked Hiko; voice rising.
Kenshin nodded calmly, he was confident in his decision.
Hiko was glaring death at him now, he still didn't understand. How in the world did he even decide to give his company to such a novice kid?
"Mr. Seijiro," said Soujiro as he burst in with a folder in his hand.
"I'm busy!" yelled Hiko angrily, he was finally letting it all out.
"But sir," began Soujiro.
"I'm scolding your boss, now get out. He needs to learn that what he does can and will being down this company," hollered Hiko.
Before Hiko could begin his lecture, Soujiro cut in defiantly.
"We sold all the published magazines, and all of the newsstands have run out. All of the companies that we sell magazines to are demanding another stock of this month's magazine. We've sold double the amount of magazines that we've sold all year," said Soujiro loudly so he'd hear.
Kenshin smiled, Kaoru gasped and wanted to faint, Katsura and Okita were pleased, while Hiko was at a lose of words.
"Say that again. Double this years sell?" asked Hiko still in shock.
"I knew that it would work out," said Kenshin gloating.
"Yes they demand another 1,000,000 by this afternoon. They all ran out when people got the paper this morning at the stalls," said Soujiro.
"What are you waiting for? Get those copying machines working," said Katsura.
"They want to know more about our company model," said Soujiro grinning at Kaoru who was flushed to an extent of red. It seemed to be competing with Kenshin's hair.
"What about the other models?" asked Okita curiously.
Then Sano came in catching his breath, holding that month's magazine from M.R.S..
"Do you know how hard it is to get a copy of this thing? You're pretty famous Missy," said Sano waving the magazine around.
"What happened to you?" asked Kenshin.
"I decided to take a morning stroll and just coming to work. Then I saw our magazines thrown in the trash. The cover, and most of the inside of the magazine was ripped out. I was like, what the heck is going on here. Then I walked over to a stand and asked for a M.R.S. magazine, and the guy just laughed at me. He said that he sold out an hour ago. It took me an hour through pushing and shoving people aside to get a whole magazine," said Sano as he sat down and began to look through the magazine for the first time.
"Which pages were ripped out?" asked Okita.
"I didn't know that Kaoru was even in the magazine until I got this. People aren't reading it, they're taking the pictures in it. Some other model pictures were taken out too, but not one magazine I saw kept Kaoru in there," said Sanosuke still looking at the magazine.
Kaoru blushed deeper if that was possible, she was looking at her feet.
"You didn't have to push pass people. You know that we have our own magazines at the front counter," said Hiko.
"Not any more. Now I can see why all of those guys were grabbing these pictures. Dang Kaoru, you look nice in this. Maybe we should change our dress code," said Sano grinning.
Kaoru glared at him, even though her face was still flushed.
Takasugi came in then, he looked like a tornado had hit him. He had a magazine in his hand, and was smiling contently. Takasugi grinned at Kaoru.
"I thought that since we made the magazines, we'd actually have some. Did you know that not a single magazine is in good condition out there on the streets? I had to race to the stall and then pay 20 bucks for this thing, when they're suppose to be only a few dollars. Those people are crazy, have you ever heard of people bidding magazines? They're all torn and I don't even think that anyone bothered to read my article," said Takasugi sadly.
Kenshin grinned at his uncle, who had no choice but to admit that Kenshin did something right this time and that he was wrong. He hated doing that.
"Hey Sano. How'd you get that?" asked Takasugi, looking at his top conditioned magazine.
"It's called skill," said Sano with a grin.
"Can I see it?" asked Takasugi.
"After I look at these," said Sano.
"You have all of her pictures? What did you do?" asked Takasugi, his was missing a few.
"I told you, it's skill," said Sano grinning.
"Soujiro, have Kamatari make more pictures quick," said Hiko.
He nodded and left.
"Let me see it," said Takasugi walking over to Sano.
"No," said Sano getting up, ready to fight for the magazine.
"Take this," said Kaoru, as she threw him her magazine.
Kenshin blinked at her, she was giving away a valuable object.
"I can always look at my college pictures," said Kaoru calmly.
Takasugi and Sano looked at her.
"You're telling us that you did this in college?" asked Takasugi.
Kaoru blushed and nodded.
"With Megumi and Misao," added Kenshin.
"Who'd want to look at a kitsune and weasel girl?" asked Sano annoyed.
Kaoru glared at him, he was being mean to her friends, she doubted that he even knew them.
"That explains why the poses are like the models," said Takasugi.
"Well since we did so well with this one, why not do the same, with different poses, for the next month's magazine?" suggested Katsura.
"I think that people would probably get over this little craze in a few weeks sir. They're just rowdy for a new figure is all. I don't think that it would do so well," said Kaoru, she really didn't want to be in another magazine just yet.
"We'll find out soon enough. If you are not mentioned in the week before the next magazine must be done, then you don't have to do it. Though if you are, you must promise that you and your friends will do some shots," said Katsura.
"You want to have the other two help too?" asked Sano in shock.
"Well of course. They work for us after all, do they not? So just raise their pay a bit. As Kamiya said, the people want new beautiful new faces and figures," said Katsura.
"What if they decline?" asked Kaoru.
"Then they're fired. We need a group that is willing to help their company," said Katsura.
"He's right. Now get out of my office, all of you," said Hiko.
Takasugi, Sano, Kenshin, and Kaoru both left.
*~*~*~*~*
Misao was working on paperwork when Megumi rushed over with the company magazine.
"Look," said Megumi, slamming the magazine on the table.
Misao gasped and flipped through the magazine, her eyes widening.
"Oh my God. She's a model now too? I can't believe it," said Misao.
"Me either. I was shocked beyond imagination," said Megumi, leaning on her desk.
"The lucky devil," said Misao, she was growing envious of her by the day.
"We need to talk to her soon," said Megumi, she felt happy for her friend, yet couldn't help but feel jealous of her successful life.
Misao nodded.
*~*~*~*~*
"You lucky bastard, why do you always get the good looking ones?" asked Sano.
Kaoru blushed at that, and stayed behind the three.
"What did you call it? Oh yeah, it's called skill," said Kenshin with a grin, as he turned to look at Kaoru who averted her eyes from his golden gaze.
Sano snorted and went off into his own office.
"See you later," said Takasugi as he went into his office as well.
"See, I told you that you looked good," said Kenshin as they entered his own office.
Kaoru didn't speak, she was too mortified at what he did without her permission. What would her grandfather say?
"Well now most people know you. It won't hurt to be famous, it's a once in a lifetime deal you know? What I mean to say is that I'm sorry that I put your pictures up without your permission. I thought that you would have liked the attention, from your terrible past. Now that you live a better life, I though you'd like to go all the way," said Kenshin as he sat down.
Kaoru stared at him in shock. He was apologizing to her? How sweet.
"Thanks for the concern. Well we do have a lot to do today. So let's get to work," said Kaoru as she went to get files out of the cabinet and binders.
"You're not mad?" asked Kenshin, he was for sure that she would go all crazy on him.
"You did apologize, and plus it's not right to go all out on your boss. Just make sure that you keep your word and pay me extra," said Kaoru with a grin.
He frowned at her, but then they both laughed and got to work.
*~*~*~*~*
"Kaoru? Do you think that we can meet for lunch?" asked Misao on her morning break.
"I have papers to draft. I want to, but I have to get my work done. One more thing, you and Megumi might need to do photo shoots with me. It'll be like in college. If you don't, then you'll be fired. It's only maybe," said Kaoru quickly and hung up before Misao could reply.
Misao gaped her cell phone just as Megumi entered the lounge.
"She couldn't come, could she?" asked Megumi as she saw her cousin's face.
"Yeah. We're going to do photo shoots with Kaoru for the next magazine. Otherwise we're fired. She said maybe," said Misao.
Megumi eyes widened.
"I had the same reaction," said Misao with a sigh.
"But..." began Megumi.
"We have no choice. Let's just pray that we don't have to," said Misao.
"We'll get paid extra right?" asked Megumi.
"I better, or someone's going down," said Misao.
Megumi just shook her head.
Please don't let us have to do it. Thought all three at once.
*~*~*~*~*
"Let's go celebrate tonight," said Kenshin after work.
"What!?" questioned Kaoru.
"It's May 15, a Saturday night," said Takasugi.
"Well on our corporation's profit," said Kenshin.
"And how Missy is now a true player in our corporation," said Sano.
"Yeah. Let's have the four of us celebrate 'til dawn," said Takasugi.
"But.." began Kaoru's protest, but she was ignored.
"Onward to my place," said Kenshin.
"No. Hiko will be there. My place," said Sano.
"Fine. Let's go," said Kenshin, dragging Kaoru into the limo.
Knowing that any attempt to leave was futile, so she allowed herself to be dragged to Sano's luxury apartment and to celebrate. What harm could a night of partying do, it was at Sano's place with her people she knew?
*~*~*~*~*
Kaoru woke up at dawn to a splitting headache.
Her eyes snapped open as she felt something warm and comforting beneath and around her.
She screamed when she saw that Kenshin and her were on Sano's bed, his arms around her.
He woke up immediately and rubbed his ears.
Takasugi and Sano weren't in the room, they must have been to drunk to wake up.
"What..." began Kaoru.
Kenshin only grinned at her.
She slapped him, he was too groggily to deflect the blow.
Kaoru moved the sheets over her.
Kenshin woke up fully at that.
"Pervert, taking advantage of me last night," said Kaoru.
"No. Just chill out. I didn't do anything to you. Look at yourself," said Kenshin.
"Pervert," yelled Kaoru throwing a pillow at his head.
He caught it easily now that he was wide-awake.
Kaoru looked down and blushed. She was still clothed, that meant that he didn't do anything to her. She shouldn't of known better.
"Then why was I..." Kaoru blushed before finishing.
Kenshin sighed and sat down on the bed's side.
"You're not a drinker are you?" asked Kenshin
Kaoru shook her head.
"Well Sano put a bit of alcohol in your drink and you went crazy. Those two were way too drunk, and I wasn't going to trust them with you in that state. So I brought you in here, and you just fell asleep. We must have just gotten that way, that you found us this morning, from last night's sleep," said Kenshin.
"Did I do..." began Kaoru blushing even more.
"I brought you in here before you could," said Kenshin.
She felt like he wasn't telling her something, but left it at that.
"Thanks," said Kaoru shyly.
"Well let's get you to your apartment to change and wash up," said Kenshin standing, as he helped her up as well.
"What about you?" asked Kaoru.
"I'll just borrow one of Sano's suits, then have Kamatari send me a new one," said Kenshin.
"It's 5:30, let's go. I don't want to be late for work," said Kaoru in a rush. She should have never agreed to party with them. She made a mental note on that.
*~*~*~*~*
The month went by quickly. It was time to see if Kaoru would have to model or not. Kenshin, Hiko, Katsura, Okita, Sano, Takasugi, and Kaoru were all waiting for the results.
"Hey. Where have Saitoh, Aoshi, and Shishio been?" asked Takasugi.
"They have business across the sea. They'll be back soon," said Hiko.
"Well was Miss Kamiya mentioned anymore?" asked Katsura.
"Well... No," said Soujiro sadly as he walked in.
"Yes," said Kaoru in a whisper, thank the heavens.
The others frowned at that.
"Well I guess it was just a faze. Now what about the other models?" asked Hiko.
"Yes. For a few beauty magazines," said Soujiro.
"So we'll use them, and only them," said Hiko looking at Kenshin who nodded.
"All right. On to our next point of business," said Katsura.
*~*~*~*~*
Kaoru called Misao and told her the big news. The three sighed in union. What a relief.
She hung up and got to work on her new laptop that she got from Kenshin earlier. Kaoru was in her new suit that Kamatari had sent over. She had to admit that it was quite comfortable, and she couldn't help but keep looking at herself in a mirror.
Then Kenshin entered, and slouched into his sofa.
"How did the choosing go?" asked Kaoru. Kenshin had gone to choose the pictures, and Kaoru had to stay behind to make sure Kenshin didn't pull the same stunt. Like she would really fall for that again.
"They're all... Why do people like them? Some are like toothpicks. Why do they go on diets, when they're all already skin a bones. I swear, people these day don't have any taste what so ever," said Kenshin, he was still mad that Kaoru wasn't the one modeling for their corporation.
"We have to go with what the media likes. I've finished all of the rest of the week's work. Do what do you want me to do now?" asked Kaoru.
"Get me a large cup of cappuccino," said Kenshin closing his eyes.
Kaoru nodded, and left to do so.
*~*~*~*~*
When she returned she heard Kenshin shouting in his office.
She rushed in and saw Tomoe crying with Akira holding her shoulders. Hiko was looking angry, and Kenshin was looked furious out of his mind.
"What happened?" asked Kaoru, as she left the cappuccino on the table.
"Look Tomoe, here's my lawyer. She can defend me," snapped Kenshin, as Kaoru walked over to the scene.
"What's the case about?" asked Kaoru seriously.
Tomoe began to cry, as Akira tried to comfort her.
"The whore's lying," said Kenshin coldly, as he glared at her.
"Don't you talk to her like that," snapped Akira angrily.
"That's what she is," said Kenshin darkly.
"What's the problem?" asked Kaoru.
Tomoe stopped crying and looked at Kenshin to Kaoru before answering.
"I... I'm a month... pregnant... with... Kenshin's baby."
*~*~*~*~*
A/N: MAJOR CLIFFHANGER! Am I evil or what?