Everything Purple
violetjewelz

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Rurouni Kenshin or any of the characters associated with the great manga/anime. Wish I did, though ...

Chapter 2: Show Business

"Miss! Wake up! Kaoru-san!"

Kaoru lazily rubbed the sleep from her eyes, stifling a yawn in the process. Someone was shaking her and she had no idea who. Finally adjusting her vision, she saw a face directly in front of hers. One with wrinkles. Very many wrinkles.

Kaoru wasted no time at all in springing away from the old man. "Eww! Don't touch me you ugly old pervert!" she screeched, causing the 'pervert' to cover his ears in pain.

"Kaoru-san!! It's me! We're in Setajimo. It's the village I told you about," the old man panicked, eyes almost bugging out of his head.

She quickly realized her mistake and clapped a hand across her mouth. "Oh my! I am sooo sorry, mister! It's just that I'm not quite use to waking up to an old man," Kaoru apologized profusely.

"That's okay, miss. I understand," the man consoled her. "But I must apologize myself. I shall be leaving you here, as I have business of my own to attend to."

Kaoru didn't want to be left alone in a strange village, but she didn't want to be selfish and ask the man to stay. After all, he went out of his way to just take her to this village. She was about to thank the man, but he cut in.

"Please do be careful, Kaoru-san," he warned her. "I've heard that Battousai might be lurking in the shadows here. Word has it his next target is Hajami Taguchi. He owns a tavern here. I really do hate to leave you here, but I must. I give you my best wishes."

As the old man who helped Kaoru began to leave, she held up her hand. "Wait! Sir, please wait!" She waited until the man had his attention on her before continuing. "Who exactly is this 'Battousai' person that you speak of?"

The old man was now even more surprised then when he first saw the girl. "You know not of the legendary manslayer, Hitokiri Battousai?"

"Umm .... no. Should I?"

He seemed to actually mull over this before he started again. "Well, perhaps it's best if you didn't know of him. You probably won't even see him. His assassinations are--" The man paused, trying to think of the best word to use. "Quite quick. The only people who would see him would die by his sword before even getting a second glance."

"Oh," was all that Kaoru could manage, not wanting to even think of what this bloodthirsty criminal looked like. "Thank you, mister. But, before you leave, please tell me your name."

"It's Narumi Hirano. Now, as I said, I must leave you. I hope that once again I might see you. Take care, Kaoru-san." The old man bid his farewell, hopping onto his cart and disappearing down the unpaved road.

Kaoru was downright tired. She didn't even think she could possibly move another foot ahead of her. So, wiping away her silky bangs, she pushed open the door of the nearest public building.

The stench hit her full force and she wheeled back, offended by it. She had smelled alcohol numerous times before, heck she had even drunken a few beers, but never before in her sixteen years on Earth, had she smelled so much of it at once.

A man at a nearby table to her left, suddenly grabbed her arm, pulling her closer to him. She turned her face away, trying to get away from the smell of his breath.

"You're mighty pretty. And mighty young, too. What is a beauty such as yourself doing here?" the drunk man asked her, not really realizing that she was wearing such an odd outfit.

Kaoru wrenched her arm free of the man's dirty hold. "I'm looking for a place to stay. Not that it's any of your business," she replied, gritting her teeth to keep from lashing out at him.

"Well, you could stay here. If you ... entertain me, I suppose I could give you money to rent a room," the drunk man offered.

"I don't make offers with drunk people. Especially drunk perverts." She quickly turned away, fire in her steps.

Luckily, the man did not follow her and started to 'talk' with a prostitute in a very revealing kimono. She looked around, trying to find the owner of the tavern. She approached the bar and took a seat.

Kaoru saw a man on the other side of the bar and tried to gain his attention. "Umm, excuse me sir, but I was wondering if you had an extra room for the night?"

The man whom the question was directed to merely grunted. Another man, who seemed to be the other's brother since their features were so alike, answered her with a gruff, deadpan tone. "You got money?"

"Yeah. Of course! Hold on, please." Kaoru scrummaged through her pack and took out her purse. After unzipping it, she took out a wallet and after unzipping that, took out a fifty. "Will this cover it?"

The man sauntered over and all but gracefully ripped the bill out of her hand. After studying it for a minute, he handed it back. "This ain't money."

"Yes it is, mister! I could buy two whole outfits with this at Agaci-Too in Ohio! May I add that I love that store!" Kaoru exclaimed, maybe a little too giddy given her circumstance.

"Ohio?" the man inquired. "Didn't the colonies add that territory about five years ago? Besides, what good does international money do me?"

"Actually," Kaoru corrected him, "It was over one hundred years ago that the United States gained the Ohio territory. Around the 1860's, I believe."

"Well in case you haven't noticed, this is the 1860's and I will not accept your money!" the man yelled back at her, quite loudly.

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that ..." Kaoru trailed off, feeling stupid.

"Yeah, well this ain't no charity train. So I'd suggest you leave and find some other place to stay. Like on the streets," the man said, getting very irritated.

If there was one thing Kaoru was for sure of in this strange town, it was that she didn't want to live on the streets, so she continued to prod the man. "Maybe I could work for you and then I could earn my keep?"

"And what, might you be able to do around here? Unless you want to be a--"

"Whore?" Kaoru interrupted. "No, thank you!" Kaoru ruminated for awhile until she came up with an idea. "I was the best singer in my school choir back in the US and I'm actually the karaoke champ at my school. I could entertain the men that way."

"Karaoke? What the hell is that?"

"It's really popular where I come from and a lot of places have it," Kaoru informed him.

"I suppose you could give it a try. But you only get one chance. If everyone hates it, it's out on the streets for you. Got it?" the man finally decided.

Kaoru quickly shook the man's hand. "It's a deal. Now, may I know the name of my ... shall we say, manager?"

The man looked at her before answering. "Taguchi. Hajami Taguchi."

Kaoru gasped as her eyes widened. He was the man that this Battousai person was supposedly going to kill. "A-are you--"

Hajami cut her off with his hand. "I know what you're thinking. I'm Battousai's next target and I'm going to die and all that bullshit." His face became very stern all of a sudden as he paused. "But, I am stronger than he thinks. I'll be the one doing the killing when he comes."

Kaoru was only able to manage a slight nod. "Anyways," Hajami continued, "You should probably start as soon as possible. I'm not the one to waste time. You'll be working for three hours straight and you'll want your sleep."

"Fine," Kaoru agreed, moving towards the stage where she would be performing. She took out her laptop and after booting it up, she uploaded Dell Jukebox. She turned toward the audience who had all brought their attention towards her, seeing such a strange girl in such a strange outfit with such a strange contraption in front of her.

"Hey y'all!" She greeted them, trying to be as friendly as possible. "So, let's see here ... which artist would you like?"

"Katsushika Hokusai!" a member of the audience supplied.

"No, no, no! Not a painter-like artist. A music artist! So, any suggestions?"

The crowd was silent this time.

"Ermm ... Okay, then. Give me a letter. That might narrow down the choices."

Most of the crowd were still too surprised to utter a sound, but a few managed to speak.

"S!" one voice cried out.

"No! I!" another provided from the front row.

"Neither of those! I say 'J' for Japan!" yet another suggested.

"Hmm.. I could use both J and S. Do you like Jessica Simpson?"

"Who's that?" the young man in the front row that had wanted the letter 'I' asked. "Just choose yourself. What's it going to be, though?"

Kaoru's face lifted as she smiled. "Good idea. 'What's it gonna be', it is."

The man who had spoken just shrugged, not really caring.

"Okay. Here goes nothing..." Kaoru selected the song and clicked play. A few seconds later, music played quietly. She turned it up as loud as possible and moved to center stage.

Kaoru began to sing with the background music playing.

Every girl want a guy that's right
And I've been waiting for this guy all my life
Every girl want a guy that's true
We've been kicking it for a while
It could be you I want to know where we stand
Are you gonna be a dog, or a gentleman
Baby, come clean, keep it straight with me
Tell me boy, tell me boy, tell me boy
What's it gonna be?

Kaoru then hopped off the stage and walked over to a man probably in his mid-twenties.

I'm not looking for someone to waste my time
And I'm not that kind of girl to read between the lines
I'm into you, but I need to know
If you're feeling me too
If you are, let me know
Let me know what's up with you, babe
Remove your mask do I can see behind
See all the feelings you once tried to hide

She grabbed a napkin from the table the man was sitting at and took out a pen that she had in her pocket. She wrote something on it and laid it back on the table.

Oooh yeah...
Here's a letter from my heart
Keep it simple not too hard
I wanna be your girl
Read the sign, down below
Check the box "yes" or "no"

The man widened his eyes and after getting hold of Kaoru's pen, he checked the box next to 'yes' and held it up to her face. She smirked and continued on to a guy a few tables over. This guy was a little older, probably in his thirties.

Every girl want a guy that's right
And I've been waiting for this guy all my life
Every girl want a guy that's true
We've been kicking it for a while
It could be you
I want to know where we stand
Are you gonna be a dog, or a gentleman
Baby, come clean, keep it straight with me
Tell me boy, tell me boy, tell me boy
What's it gonna be?

Kaoru maneuvered to another man, younger than the other two. She guessed he was in his early-twenties. She sang directly to him, kneeling down in front of him.

I can't wait too long for you to make up my mind
And so I'm telling you that boy
You're running out of time
I feel as I'm going through a meltdown overload
I've got so much love inside
Boy I'm ready to explode
Remove your mask
So I can see behind

She waved her hand across the young man's face, pretending to take off an invisible mask.

See all the feelings you boys try to hide
Kaoru handed the same napkin she used before to the man.
Here's a letter from my heart
Keep it simple, not too hard
I wanna be your girl
Read the sign, down below
And check the box "yes" or "no"

After seeing a second check near the 'yes' box, she strolled towards someone else. Sitting in an empty chair at the new man's table, she proceeded to sing.

Every girl wants a guy that's right
And I've been waiting for this guy all my life
Every girl wants a guy that's true
We've been kicking it for a while
It could be you
I want to know where we stand
Are you gonna be a dog, or a gentleman
Baby, come clean, keep it straight with me
Tell me boy, tell me boy, tell me boy
What's it gonna be

Kaoru left the man and as she sang, she walked in between tables, singing a sentence to a different man every time.

Are you gonna use me up and throw me all away
Ain't got no time to beat around the bush
Ain't got no time for games
All I ask is just one wish
And that's for you to say
That you want me for your girl
And you won't play games hey, hey!

She caught sight of a boy probably seventeen and after reaching him, she traced his lips with her finger, being as sexy as she could.

Do you want me?
I'll give you this much to say "Baby"

Every girl want a guy that's right
And I've been waiting for this guy all my life
Every girl want a guy that's true
We've been kicking it for a while
It could be you

I want to know where we stand
Are you gonna be a dog, or a gentleman
Baby, come clean, keep it straight with me
Tell me boy, tell me boy, tell me boy
What's it gonna be?

Kaoru sang as she went to the stage.

Every girl want a guy that's right
And I've been waiting for this guy all my life
Every girl want a guy that's true
We've been kicking it for a while
It could be you

I want to know where we stand
Are you gonna be a dog, or a gentleman
Baby, come clean, keep it straight with me
Tell me boy, tell me boy, tell me boy
What's it gonna be?

Kaoru was now, once again, center stage and she repeated the chorus one more time, fading out gradually.

Every girl want a guy that's right
And I've been waiting for this guy all my life
Every girl want a guy that's true
We've been kicking it for a while
It could be you

I want to know where we stand
Are you gonna be a dog, or a gentleman
Baby, come clean, keep it straight with me
Tell me boy, tell me boy, tell me boy
What's it gonna be?

Once she was finished, nobody made a sound. For awhile, Kaoru began to believe that her audience didn't like her performance and she was destined to live on the streets for the rest of her life. Soon after this thought, however, applause started up. In less than ten seconds, the applause was thunderous and after about a minute, everyone stood up, giving her a standing ovation, even if they didn't know what that was.

Hajami was soon at Kaoru's side, his eyes beaming and a big grin plastered on his face. This was a big change from the serious man she had met just a few minutes earlier. "Well, it seems as though you were right. It appears as though they like this."

Kaoru smiled as well, happy that everyone seemed to like her so much.

"You've probably already guessed, but I'll tell you anyways," Hajami began, "You can stay here for as long as you sing here."

Kaoru silently cheered. She wouldn't have to live on the streets after all. "What about food, though?"

"I'll supply that as well. But you have to do just as great as you did right now for it," he told her, grinning widely.

'Wow,' Kaoru mused, 'This man sure has changed. He was ready to throw me out about five minutes ago.'

"For tonight, I'll let you go to bed now, for I bet you're really tired for everything that might have happened to you today. I don't want you sing while tired. Bet it ain't good for your voice," Hajami said.

"Okay. Thank you very much, Taguchi-san," Kaoru conveyed her gratitude towards him.

"No problem. But just call me Hajami from now on." Hajami unlocked the door to Kaoru's new room and ushered her in. "Now, have a good night's sleep. I'll wake you up in the morning."

Kaoru wasted no time in falling asleep. She did not doubt that the next day would be very busy.

Author's Note: Yay! A second chapter done! Thanks so much for the reviews, guys! I was hoping for even one reveiw, and when I saw that I had 10 (that was when I started writing this chapter, at least)! And what's more, is that everyone liked my story! Thanks a ton, y'all!

I haven't decided when Kaoru and the Battousai will meet, but I do know how. It might be next chapter or it might be the one after that.

Review Responses:

half-breed-demon-fox: I hope that I updated soon enough for you! Is two days good? It might be less frequent now that it will be the school week again, though.

Rokushin: The old guy really isn't that important to the story, he was just someone needed to get Kaoru to the village. But, then again, perhaps he could be something more in later chapters? Who knows?

Brittanie Love: Thank you! I'm glad that you like it so far!

bsdisaster: Thanks for your adivce, I definitely like getting advice. I like getting it more than compliments because with advice I can improve (hopefully) on what needs improvement. I'll try my best to not rush in to things and have everything happen so fast. This chapter probably wasn't all that logical, but then again it's not very logical that someone would be transported into the past!

I DO NOT OWN DBZ: I'm glad that you like it! I'll definitely write more since so many people seem to like it!

DarkBlueKitsune: Yeah! Another compliment. Thank you! I appreciate it ... like .. A LOT! -giggles-

Bloody Akiko Nagi the Insane: Man! I'm so stoked! All these compliments! I'll try my best to update as much as possible!

Crazed T.V. Girl18: Sadly, I do have to stop somewhere. Hopefully my updates will be frequent enough to satisfy your fanfic reading desire!

kenshin's-angel: Kaoru does have a pretty bad mouth, doesn't she? But I do tend to cuss every so often and so does everyone else I know, so it's only normal for a high-school girl in modern time (like Kaoru in this story) to curse. Thanks for your review!

KenKao4eva: Thank you so much! I didn't think my first fic would be all that great, but what you said makes me feel very good. Confident, as well. Don't worry, though, I won't be cocky or anything. That's just not me!

-violetjewelz