Yeah, long time no update. What is a busy, unmotivated girl to do? Get nasty emails to continue the story, I suppose. So I'll attempt to. Because I'm so nice, and it's been so long.

Chapter 17: Make Me Feel Like I Do

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In the midst of their second round, someone tapped politely on Kenshin's shoulder. Setting the game to 'Pause', he removed the headset and turned around.

"Uh...one second, Aoshi." The newcomer mumbled something to the red-haired teen, who nodded and went to the snack bar for a few moments.

Soon, the game resumed, but Aoshi was surprised to find himself fighting a different player. He slipped his headset up so he could see what was going on, and the new player grinned.

"Hello, Shinomori-san. Let's play, ne?"

"Seta Soujirou. We meet again." Aoshi narrowed his eyes, not appreciating the intrusion. He was up to something.

"Hai, I thought it was about time." The weapons clashed violently, sending virtual sparks flying.

"What do you want?" Aoshi said calmly, masking the building hatred in his tall frame.

"If things were so simple, I would take Misao before you could blink. Instead, I propose a challenge. I know you have been trained in the defensive arts, so I want to fight. To see who is the stronger, better man for our little bluebird." He smiled again, but it was more of a sneer, twisting his gentle features.

Aoshi ended the game with a triple-slash, and removed the headset calmly. "I accept your challenge, but I will not lose. In the meantime, you will refrain from sending Misao any gifts, or contacting her. Do I make myself clear?"

Soujirou chuckled, waving backwards and walking away. "Two weeks from now, the annual rice festival. Meet me at the bridge in Kokuro Park."

Kenshin came back, soda in hand. "What was that all about? Is that the guy who keeps bothering Misao-dono?"

"Hai. He just offered to challenge me at the rice festival."

"Did you accept?"

"Of course. You know I'd rather not fight, but he seems to be bent on proving he is the more suitable man for Misao. His recklessness makes him seem more like a child. I hope he realizes what he is getting himself into."

"Aaa... Please be careful, Aoshi. He looks like he may have a few tricks up his sleeve yet. I guess this means you'll be training twice as hard now?"

"Yep. I hope Misao's not mad if I pay more attention to practicing than her."

"Perhaps you should talk to her, and tell her what's going on."

"I don't know if that's such a good idea. You know Misao, she'll panic or try to talk me out of it. I'll just tell her I've got to do some extra training for Hiko-sensei."

"Hnn."

Sanosuke's hollers could be heard from the DDR booth, where his opponent had just dug her heel into his foot, and smacked him upside the head with her purse. "Perv! You call that dancing?"

"But wait! I didn't!" He whined, wobbling away from the machine. "Stupid girl."

"Hey, Sano. Ready to go?" Kenshin inquired, holding in a laugh. His friend was so hopeless sometimes.

"Yeah, yeah. Where are we headed?"

"To the Center. I feel like knocking someone around." Aoshi answered, eyes hardening. Sano could have sworn he just felt waves of cold air emanate from the Ice Man.

"Uh.. sure. As long as it's not me. I've had enough beatings for one day."

Kenshin laughed, and the three of them strolled out, Sano limping towards the cars.

Meanwhile, at the East Tokyo Mall, three young ladies were arguing over which store to go into next.

"But we were just in there! Did you not see the venomous glare that lady was giving us?"

"Tanuki, you are such a whiner. Fine. Let's go into that one." Megumi pointed in the direction of a stylish formal shop, and Misao nodded her head in assent.

"Yeah, come on, Kaoru-chan. Even I'm beginning to enjoy myself."

"Fine, fine."

Eau Claire, the name of the store, seemed to be overloaded with laces, silks, and fru-fru. The girls had no idea of what they were getting themselves into.

A pair of tapered eyebrows rose in response to their chatty entrance. The shiny namtag read 'Kamatari'. Slim build, styled hair, too much makeup...

"Well hello! Welcome to Eau Claire. Is there anything I can help you with today?"

Megumi stepped forth, batting her eyelashes and extending her polished hand. "Why yes, we are in search of formal gowns for an upcoming ball. We were wondering if you would be ever-so-kind as to be of our assistance?"

Kamatari eyed the girl suspiciously, secretly toying with the idea that she had been hit on the head with a 'stupid' brick.

"Of course! Come ladies, let's go try some on."

Jab-punch-roundhouse kick

Jab-punch-roundhouse kick

Jab-punch-roundhouse kick

It was almost annoying.

Jab-punch-roundhouse kick

Jab-punch-roundhouse kick

Jab-punch-roundhouse kick

Very annoying.

So much so, that Sano made the mistake of speaking up. "Hey Ice Man, any chance of you doing something else? You're going to kill the punching bag."

"Well, maybe you'd like to take its place?"

"Uh, maybe another time. Chill out, dude."

It was at this precise moment that Sanosuke Sagara realized the irony of his words, and began to giggle.

"Ha – 'chill' out... I'm so cool! Ahahaha..."

"Careful, Sano." Kenshin warned. "He's not doing this for an invalid reason. Maybe it's best to not tease him."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm hitting the shower. I'll see you guys in a few."

He walked off, leaving Kenshin and Aoshi alone in the dojo.

"You're really pushing yourself today. Do you feel that much for her?"

"......"

"I still think you should talk to her about it. It could be upsetting if you don't and she finds out from someone else."

"Misao... takes my mind off of the pain. I would rather not than cause her to suffer knowing that two people she cares about are going to beat the shit out of each other."

"True. Be careful, though. Don't underestimate her emotions."

"Aa."

"Guys, this looks stupid." Misao frowned, cringing at her reflection.

Kamatari had insisted that she try on a pink princess gown, with a skirt so large that it threatened to swallow her whole. Both Megumi and Kaoru poked their heads out of adjacent changerooms.

"Ha, you're right. Cupcake-weasel!"

"Shutup, Fox!"

Kaoru strode out of the room. She was wearing a midnight blue halter dress that clung like a second skin. Tiny black beads were woven in vertical lines down the front, and a plunging backline completed the ensemble.

"Hey guys – what about this one?" She stopped beside Misao to model in front of the mirror. Both girls' mouths dropped.

"Kaoru, you look amazing! Va-va-va-voom!" Her shorter friend crowed, pumping a fist into the air for emphasis.

"Very nice, Tanuki. Now, all you need are bigger boobs!" Megumi taunted, causing Kaoru to steam.

"What did you say?"

"You heard me! Ohohoho!"

"Why I oughtta!"

"Girls, girls! Let's not have an accident!" Kamatari came rushing in, concerned by the screeching that could be heard from the cash register.

"Miss Kaoru, that looks lovely. Let's see yours, Miss Megumi."

Taking her cue, Megumi sauntered seductively over to the mirror. She was wearing a slinky version of a kimono, blood red in colour. It left room for a lot of cleavage, and a lot of leg.

"They won't know what hit 'em," She giggled, earning approval from her two friends.

"Well," Kamatari interrupted, "that's two down, one to go."

Megumi, Kaoru, and Kamatari all eyed Misao at the same time, and the poor girl felt fear and panic run through her veins. "Oh no.."

"OH YES." All three said simultaneously. And then they pounced.

To be continued -

Well, there we have it. The ridiculously-long-awaited next chapter. Sorry it took so long, but it has been crazy here for the longest time. Lots of reviews will inevitably lead to faster chapters, so the choice is up to you. And I control you, mwahahaha.

Click it like there's no tomorrow, baby. 3